How to Make Steel Cut Oats in the Crockpot

If you like oatmeal, you will love learning how to make steel cut oats in the crockpot. Steel cut oats are full of texture, nutrients, and will keep you full for hours. These oats are hearty and flavorful. I love that they are ready to eat right out of the crock pot. They definitely fit into the comfort food category!

They smell sooo good when they are making. I have made them throughout the night several times and the yummy smell coming from the kitchen has filled the house and even woken me up from my sleep. 

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What do they taste like?

They taste very similar to rolled oats. They have a “nutty” flavor that can change based on whatever you want to add to them. This recipe has vanilla and brown sugar in it. They taste a little sweet and hearty at the same time. 

Why you will love this recipe

This is comfort food that you can quickly mix up, walk away from, and then enjoy for the week. The recipe makes several servings. It can feed a crowd for one event or you can use it for meal prepping and have a healthy breakfast ready to go for the week. You don’t have to add anything to it if you don’t want to. However, walnuts, blueberries, brownsugar, maple syrup, and dried cranberries, make for great toppings. 

Can I make these oats ahead?

SInce they heat up so nicely, they are great for meal prepping. We like to make them ahead of time so that we will have a quick and delicious ready to go for the week. You can easily make them ahead of time, cool them, and then refrigerate them for five to seven days. If you have an event that you are taking them to, you can put them in the crockpot around 10:30 pm and they will be ready as early as 5:00am. You can leave them in the crockpot longer than that, but I do like to keep an eye on them after seven hours so that the milk doesn’t start over cooking. 

How do I reheat them?

You can make these ahead and eat them throughout the week. Just pop them into a microwave safe bowl and heat for about thirty seconds. They are more than just a breakfast food. They make for a great snack as well. 

Can you cut the recipe in half?

Yep! Follow the exact same steps, but cut everything in half. If I am making it for just us four, I will cut the recipe in half. If I am taking them to an event, I don’t half it and I rarely bring home leftovers. Everyone seems to love these. They are so simple, but so yummy. 

What steps do I take to make steel cut oats in the crockpot?

Use softened butter to coat the entire inside of the crockpot. Get a paper towel, put about a tablespoon of butter on it, and coat the bottom and sides of the inside of the crockpot. 

Pour in 8 ½ cups of water.

Pour in 1 ¾ cups of milk. ( I use 2%)

Measure out and pour in 2 cups of steel cut oats.

Pour in ¼ cup of packed brown sugar.

Pour in ½ tsp. salt.

Gently mix it around and put the lid on the crockpot.

Turn the crockpot on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 

Stir occasionally. 

Once they are thick and creamy, they are done. 

Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Serve warm.

Ingredients

Butter

Water

Milk

Steel Cut Oats

Brown Sugar

Salt

Vanilla Extract

Tools You May Need

Large Crock Pot

Measuring cups and spoons

Storage

They will keep for several hours on warm in the crockpot. Let them cool and put them in a tupperware container to store in the refrigerator. They are good for five to seven days in the refrigerator.  

Tips

Make sure you coat the crockpot well with butter. Stirring them occasionally will help to keep them from sticking to the sides of the crockpot. A thicker film will start to form on the surface when cooling. You can just stir it in. That is normal and nothing is wrong. Just stir it around before serving or storage. 

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