This post is sponsored by Zone Perfect Bars. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Since the day we found out that we are moving to Vermont, every morning as soon as I wake up I check the temperature in our new hometown. It is cold there, really cold.
Since I believe that food is the best medicine, I know that we will need all the heartwarming food we can get our hands on to warm ourselves up. And what is better than a cup of warm oatmeal to start the day?

Imagine as soon as you wake up, you have a bowl of creamy steel-cut oats waiting for you in your slow cooker when it is 1 °F outside. So today’s recipe, Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats, is one that I know I will be making in our new hometown.
Before I start talking about why I love cooking steel cut oats in the crockpot, I want you to know that I have no problem with cooking steel cuts in the morning on a Saturday morning. It is totally fine by me to put it on the stovetop and let it cook low and slow.
However, let’s face it: Things are different when it comes to a weekday morning. If you are anything like me, you need breakfast fast. And it has to be healthy and filling.
That is why I think this overnight slow cooker steel cut oatmeal recipe fits the bill perfectly. Simply, put everything in your slow cooker, set it to work for you overnight, and wake up to a deliciously creamy oatmeal porridge in the morning.


Ingredients For Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
To make this overnight crockpot oatmeal recipe you will need:
- Steel Cut Oats (aka Irish Oats): Nowadays, there are so many steel-cut oats brands out there. I personally like Trader Joe’s organic steel oats (affiliate link) and Bob’s Red Mills brand (affiliate link).
- Liquid: I used a combination of water and unsweetened almond milk. I feel as though using a combination of water and almond milk delivers the creamiest overnight crockpot porridge.
With this being said, If you prefer you can only use water or try other kinds of milk like cashew, coconut, or even regular milk. - Sweetening & Flavoring Agents: To sweeten my overnight steel-cut oatmeal recipe I took inspiration from my almond flour banana bread muffins recipe and added in a 1/2 of mashed banana and some ground cinnamon into the mix.
However, you can also sweeten it with some homemade applesauce. During the fall months, I usually make a big batch of my unsweetened applesauce recipe and add in a few tablespoons into this overnight crockpot oatmeal recipe. - Toppings: I am the kind of person who lives for toppings. Fresh fruit, a handful of nuts, or a chopped up power bar (like I did here) would all work.
A Small Casserole Dish (or Mason Jars) Help So Much with Cleaning Later On:
Now, before I talk about how to make steel oats in a crockpot I want to talk about this trick that I learned a while back.
If you have ever tried cooking steel cuts in your crock pot’s bowl, you know that you have some cleaning to do later on. Because let me tell you, the thick oatmeal will stick to that bowl. You will have to let it soak for a few hours to get all the sticky oatmeal off of the bowl of your crockpot. Not ideal!
The solution to that problem is to place a smaller heat-resistant bowl (or a casserole dish) in the bowl of the slow cooker itself and fill the bottom of it with water halfway through the bowl. The residual heat provided by the warm water cooks the oatmeal creating the creamiest steel-cut oatmeal you will ever have. Guaranteed.
If you do not have a small dish that fits in your slow cooker, you can also use Mason Jars. Simply divide the ingredients into 4 mason jars and place them in the bowl of your slow cooker along with water.
I love using mason jars as I can easily put the lid on and store it in the fridge (up to 3 days) for an easy grab & go breakfast, which makes this the perfect single-serving crockpot oatmeal recipe.
With this being said, if you prefer neither method you can use a good old crockpot liner (affiliate link) to make the cleaning easy on yourself later on. And that’s not even an option, be sure to lightly spray the bowl of your slow cooker to make the cleaning easier on yourself later on.
How to Make Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats:
The best part of this crockpot oatmeal recipe is that it takes just a few minutes to put together. As I mentioned earlier, the majority of work is done by your slow cooker.
The process is very simple:
- Get your ingredients in the bowl: Place steel cut oats (aka Irish oats), liquid, and the sweeteners in a small casserole dish or mason jars and place them in the bowl of your slow cooker.
- Fill it halfway with water: Fill the bottom of your slow cooker just enough to cover the bowl (or mason jars) halfway through.
- Put the lid on and set the crockpot to the all the work for you: Set it to low-heating setting for 4 hours for a warm and creamy steel-cut oatmeal in the morning.
- Top it off with your favorite toppings and enjoy: In the morning, simply top it off with your favorite toppings and serve.
Liquid to Steel Cut Oats Ratio
I found that for a family of four, the best liquid to steel cut oats ratio is 1/2 to 2, meaning for every half a cup of steel cut oats you need 2 cups of liquid. This ratio yields 4 cups of oatmeal.
How Long Does It Take For Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats To Cook:
I usually set my crockpot to 4 hours in low-heat setting, and after that, its keep-warm setting continues to maintain a warm temperature. We usually sleep 8 hours, so by the time I wake up my bowl of creamy and delicious oatmeal is waiting for me in the kitchen.
Here, I think I should mention that the timing may change based on the brand of the slow cooker you use. So I recommend experimenting with your crock pot for the best timing and consistency of your liking. If you are wondering, I use Crock-Pot 6.5-Quart, Programmable Touchscreen Slow Cooker, Silver, SCVT650-PS and it gives me perfect results every time.

How To Sweeten The Steel Cut Oats:
Since steel cut oats are super healthy, I wanted to stay away from adding any additional processed sugars. However, it needed a little bit of a sweetener. As I mentioned earlier, I went with some ripened mash banana, but a few tablespoons of applesauce would also work.
Additionally, you can always use a few tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.


The Best Toppings For Steel Cut Oats:
When it comes to toppings, I always find fresh fruit and nuts to be the best option to top off my crockpot steel-cut oatmeal. I also like homemade chunky granola, but let’s face it; I do not always have granola on hand. Instead, I cut a nutrition bar into small pieces and use them as a topping. And when it comes to protein bars, my husband and I are big fans of ZonePerfect Nutrition Bar.
They have so many flavors (my favorite being salted caramel brownies) to choose from and they all taste SO good. I also love that when you put chunks of nutrition bar in hot oatmeal, it slightly melts creating a silky and chocolate-y breakfast bowl. Plus, one ZonePerfect bar contains 17-19 vitamins and minerals with 170-210 calories and 10-15 grams of protein per serving, depending on the flavor. This, in my book, means guilt-free eating.

How to Store The Leftovers:
The recipe below yields 3-4 cups of slow-cooked steel cut oats. Like I mentioned earlier, this easily feeds a family of 4, but if you are a small family like us, you can always refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
When ready to eat, warm it up in the microwave for 1 minute, top it off with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
If You Liked This Overnight Steel Cut Oats In Crockpot You Might Also Like:
Other Healthy Oatmeal Recipes You Might Like:
- Overnight Muesli Recipe
- Healthy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Low Fat Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Oatmeal with Chia Seeds
Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
For the Steel Cut Oats:
- ½ cup steel cut oats make sure that they are gluten-free certified
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk* or any of your favorite plant-based milk
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce or ½ ripe and mashed banana
- pinch of salt
For the Toppings:
- 1 cup seasonal fresh fruits chopped
- 1 ZonePerfect Nutrition Bar I used Salted Caramel Brownie, cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Mix together the steel cut oats, water, almond milk, applesauce (or a 1/2 ripe and mashed banana), and salt in a heat-resistant bowl (or a small casserole dish) that will fit in your slow cooker.
- Fill the bowl of the slow cooker halfway through with water.
- Put the lid on and cook for 4 hours in low-heat setting. 4 hours will create a very creamy consistency. If you want it to be thicker, you can let it cook up to 5 hours in low heat setting.
- When ready to serve, divide it in between 4 bowls and top each cup off with fresh fruit, chunks of nutrition bar, and sesame seeds.
- Serve while it is still warm.
Aimee | Wallflower Kitchen
I got a bag of steel cut oats that I’ve been meaning to use, since it’s the best time of year for cosy breakfasts like this! Gorgeous as ever
Aysegul Sanford
Aww thank you my friend <3
Amisha
I love your detailed your recipe is wndchow you talk about your experiments too ! I love steel cut oats and you are right – it takes so long to cook it on the stove top! I might have to invest in a crock pot !! Your pictures are mega delicious !!,????
Aysegul Sanford
Aww thank you Amisha. I do my best to be as helpful as I can be. Yes, you should try the crockpot method. If you are a lover of steel cut oats, you will love it. Much love and thanks again my friend. <3
Gena
I love making steel cut oats in the crockpot! It’s so easy and such a time saver; I like to do big batches for freezing and leftovers. This is a lovely recipe, Aysegul (I love the thought to add mashed fruit). Happy new year to you 🙂
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Gena! This is my new favorite way of starting the day. Like you said, it is such a time saver. Plus, it is super healthy. 🙂
Happy new year to you too.
PS: It makes me so happy every time you stop by my friend. <3
Lynn | The Road to Honey
First off, welcome (back) to New England. It’s definitely cold here in Boston . . .but even more brutal the further North you get so warm and comforting foods are a definite must.
Slow cooker steel cut oats are a regular way to warm up in our household. But I have to admit that I have not had problems with a difficult to clean insert. Perhaps I just got lucky and bought a brand/model that is ideal for this type of food. That said, it’s just the Mr. and I, so I like the idea of using the bowl to reduce the number of servings. Also, as much as I like honey on my oatmeal. . .my blood sugar does not and I find that I will spend all day trying to recover from blood sugar lows. I generally go with no sweetener by love the idea of using applesauce to sweeten it. . .definitely giving this a try next time. I also love the idea of topping it with nutritional bars especially since the Mr. is addicted to them.
Aysegul Sanford
Oh that is good to know. It must have been because of your slow cooker. Mine was a nightmare to clean.
Thanks for your kind wishes. I wish we can meet sometime and enjoy a bowl of this together. 🙂
PS: I love your Insta stories. Your tips on photography are so SO helpful.
Tammy
As everyone ends the year and begins 2020, we think more deeply about our health and happiness. In December I was told I have Sjogrens disease, which is an autoimmune disease that attacks your bodily fluids, ie. Dry eye/dry mouth etc.
Since there isn’t a cure, there is a great chance of relief by eating more whole foods and cutting out sugar and gluten. I decided to pick up a couple of good books on eating for a healthy gut and anti-inflammatory foods that help with the joint pain that goes with this illness.
With my “almost a Dr. of Physical Therapy” daughter being home for a clinical, we’re having fun shopping for healthier foods and trying new recipes.
We both enjoy steel cut oats and late lastnight I found your overnight crockpot recipe. With everyone in bed, I put our breakfast oats in a Pyrex dish into the crockpot filled about 2″ of water. I used part water and part unsweetened almond milk, a dribble of vanilla extract and pure maple syrup and a bit of cinnamon. It was turned on low for 7 hours and on warm for 2.5 hrs. More….so fun to sleep in! ? My hubby and daughter were so surprised to have a hearty breakfast ready to eat! We topped it with a bit more almond milk, nuts, craisins, blueberries, and nuts.
It was simply delish! This recipe will be a staple in my journey to feel better in the new year! Thanks! ??
Aysegul Sanford
Aww Tammy. This makes me so happy to hear. I literally make this recipe twice a week and have been working on a video to share it with my readers.
I am sorry to hear about the health issues. I hope my blog and recipes will inspire you as you change your eating habits.
I am always here if I can answer any questions.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Cheers!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Your moving to Vermont?! Oh my! I’ve never been but would love to visit some day… how are you feeling about it? I adore overnight oats in any form. But I’m with you on steel cut.. they require a different kind of attention than rolled. Thank you for sharing your tips to make mornings easier! I’ll have to get these back on my rotation.. (that bowl is gorgeous!!). Thank you for sharing Aysegul.
Aysegul Sanford
Yes!! I know, right? It is hard to believe, but we are moving again. I so wish you could come and visit me. Hopefully very very soon. <3
I, too, love a good warm bowl of steel cut oats. This turned out to be a really good one that exceeded my expectations. Thanks for stopping by Traci. <3
Ruby & Cake
I love the detail you put into your recipes and that you give advice for leftovers! I never know what to do with my leftover oats they usually congeal and end up in the bin. I hope you enjoy your time in Vermont!
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you so much for your kind words. I try to do my best to answer all questions with the hopes that it will be helpful to my readers 🙂
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
Ohh how I have not thought about making steel cut oats in the slow cooker before?! This is such a good way to get them in without waiting around for them to be done!
Tessa | Salted Plains
Vermont! How exciting. I think I would wake up and check the weather there every morning too! This steel cut oatmeal method sound fantastic – I would have never thought to use a dish inside the crockpot. Your fruit in these photos look like gems! So pretty, Aysegul! xo
Aysegul Sanford
It was a surprise to me too, but it worked beautifully. Thank you for your kind words my friend. <3
Lisa
I have cooked steel cut oats in the slow cooker before, but I never would have thought of cooking it with the water bath method! It’s funny, before the new year, I was trying to develop a recipe for slow cooker oats with millet. I cooked it for 8 hours on low, like you did and it definitely wasn’t as creamy as i would have liked. I should really try this method when I retest the recipe later this month! Thanks for this.
P.S. You’re moving to Vermont?!! I’ve visited twice and always loved the beauty of Vermont. It is definitely way too cold for a California girl like me though 😉
Aysegul Sanford
Hey Lisa.. Yes, I have been there. 8 hours is just too long for steel cut oats. Who knew, right? 🙂
PS: I know, but we are looking forward to the change. Cheers!
Sara @ Cake Over Steak
I just had some steel cut oats last weekend when it was FREEZING COLD. It sounds like you’re going to be all set for your move to Vermont. Good luck!
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you Sara!
Willow | Will Cook For Friends
I love steel cut oats! I always just cook mine on the stove, but I love the idea of throwing them in the slow cooker and waking up to warm oats in the morning. I actually have a steel cut oat recipe coming up, and will have to link to this post in the recipe notes as an alternative way to make it. And those toppings! Oatmeal is all about toppings, IMO. I wouldn’t have thought to cut up an energy bar, though — pure genius. I’ve never tried the ZonePerfect bars, but they sound super yummy. Will definitely be keeping my eye out for them from now on. 🙂
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you Willow. I think the idea of having breakfast ready when you wake up is the best part about this recipe. A warm bowl of goodness topped off with all kinds of toppings. Who can say no to that? :))
I can’t wait to see your post and what you topped it off with. Cheers my friend.
Emily
How did I miss that you were moving to Vermont?! I really am so behind on my reading! That’s so exciting! I’ve always wanted to visit vermont, so maybe someday we can connect there. 🙂 These photos are stunning- so vibrant and colorful. Love the way you dressed up a simple bowl of oats. I always make mine in the rice cooker with a timer, similar to how you do it here. It’s such a great thing to wake up to!
Aysegul Sanford
Oh Emily.. I would love to you to visit me in Vermont.. That would be a dream come true.
Rice cooker is such a great idea. I used to have one, long time ago, but I see that it would be perfect for this recipe. 🙂
Pam
I cook my steel cut oats in my rice cooker. You can leave them on warm for hours and the consistency doesn’t change! It’s also way faster than cooking on the stove and the pot is easy to clean!
Dilara R
I have been making this for a few weeks right now and I love it. I change it up with different fruit every time I make it and it never disappoints. I love reading your blog and through your adventures. I hope you are loving Vermont.
Aysegul Sanford
Ah sekercim, thank you. I am so happy that you liked it. We love Vermont (minus cold) ?Much love to you.
Melissa Sperka
So good AND good for you
Aysegul Sanford
Ha ha.. That is exactly why I love it so much ?
Heather
Such a beautiful, healthy and delicious breakfast!
Tanya
What a perfect way to start the day!
Jennifer Farley
Such a filling breakfast! I definitely want to have this at least once a week or so!
Tanya
The best way to start the day!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
Such an amazing day starter!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
We love these- thank you!
Ivar Nilsen
So glad I found this. The previous recipe I tried called for rolled oats and 8 hours cook time on low and it was just mush. These came out great at 4,5 hours on low with steel cut (I added half an hour because I took the lid of at one point to smell it).
Used a whole banana since it wasn’t that ripe and threw in some frozen blueberries a few minutes before serving since I didn’t have fresh fruit.
Thanks!
Aysegul Sanford
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe Ivar. I agree, 8 hours would be too long. I usually set it to 4 hours before i go to bed and then in the morning, it is nice and creamy. I like the addition of fresh blueberries too.
Thanks for coming by!