Wake up to a comforting, healthy breakfast with this overnight slow cooker cranberry apple oatmeal! Made with steel cut oats, apples, dried cranberries, and pecans, this lightly sweetened oatmeal with cinnamon is simply delicious and perfect for meal prep or sharing with a crowd. (gluten-free, vegan option)

Whether you love meal prepping for a busy week ahead or you have guests that enjoy a healthy, filling breakfast, this slow cooker cranberry apple oatmeal is the perfect breakfast to make. Who can say no to a cozy, warm bowl of lightly sweetened, subtly spiced apple oatmeal?

Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Oatmeal

This slow cooker oatmeal is the ultimate 'set it and forget it' breakfast! You can let it cook all day if you like meal prepping, or you can set it up to cook while you sleep so you can wake up to a healthy and delicious breakfast, effortlessly. Filled with apples, cinnamon, dried cranberries, pecans, cinnamon, and a hint of brown sugar, this oatmeal is nutritious, filling and tasty.

collage image showing steps to making overnigth slow cooker apple cranberry oatmeal.

How to Make Overnight Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Oatmeal

This oatmeal couldn't be any easier to make! Simply:

Coat the bowl of your slow cooker with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and give them a stir.
Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours.
Stir and add additional liquid if necessary.
Either store or top with any toppings you like and enjoy!

Tips and Recipe Variations

The heat on different slow cookers varies. If your cooker tends to run hot, you may need to check it around 4-5 hours. you also may need to add more liquid.
If you'd rather, you can cook the oatmeal on high for 1-2 hours of on low for 3-4 hours, then turn it to the 'keep warm' setting overnight.
Add more brown sugar if your prefer sweeter oatmeal.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, or frozen in individual portions.

How to Reheat Leftover Oatmeal

Heat refrigerated oatmeal on the stove with splash of milk until hot, or microwave for 60-90 seconds for a single portion, milk to loosen it up.

Remove portions of frozen oatmeal to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving, or defrost for 1-2 minutes in the microwave before warming on regular power.

overhead view of apple cranberry oatmeal in a white bowl topped with apple slices and pecans.

More Delicious Oatmeal Recipes You'll Love

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Overnight Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Oatmeal

bowl of apple cranberry oatmeal topped iwth apple slices and pecans.

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

Author: Kaleigh
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 to 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours
Yield: about 6 cups 1x
Category: breakfast
Method: slow cooker
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup steel cut oats
2 medium apples (about 2 cups)
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup pecans
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
¼ tsp salt
1 cup milk of choice
3 cups water

Instructions

Coat the pot of your slow cooker generously with butter or oil.
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.
Cook on low heat for 5-7 hours.
Stir, adding more milk if necessary. Serve with desired toppings.

Notes

If your cooker tends to run hot, check your oatmeal sooner, at about 4 hours. You may need to add ½ cup or more liquid if this is the case.
If your cooker runs hot or you plan to cook the oatmeal longer than 6-7 hours, you can cook it on low for 4-5 hours or high for 1-2 hours, then choose the 'keep warm' setting overnight if you have it.
Add more brown sugar if your prefer sweeter oatmeal.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, or frozen in individual portions.

Keywords: slow cooker cranberry apple oatmeal, crock pot cranberry apple oatmeal, overnight crock pot apple oatmeal