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Slow Cooker Overnight Steel-Cut Oats

Name: Slow Cooker Overnight Steel-Cut Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 485 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 cups Steel-Cut Oats (not rolled or instant); 4 cups Water; 2 cups Whole Milk or Oat Milk; 2 pieces Honeycrisp Apples (peeled and diced); 1/4 cup Brown Sugar; 1.5 tsp Ground Cinnamon; 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt; 1 tbsp Butter (for greasing crock); 1 set Pure Maple Syrup & Pecans (for serving)

Wake up to warm, nutty, cinnamon-apple steel-cut oatmeal slow-simmered overnight while the whole house sleeps.

BreakfastBudgetFive ingredientDead SimpleServes 6

Cook temp: 180°F; 82°C · preheat
Total time: 485 min; 5 prep · 480 cook · 5 rest
Pull at: 165°F; USDA safe minimum
Rest: 5 min; Before slicing

Meal Instructions Kitchen · 29 Aug 2026 · Reviewed for USDA food safetyPrint card

At A Glance // The Quick Brief

Fluff-Free Execution

Target //Cook at LOW / WARM (180°F / 82°C) for 8 hours.
Doneness //Pull when internal temperature reaches 165°F (USDA safe minimum). Rest 5 mins before slicing.
Golden Rule //Load the slow cooker before going to bed. While you sleep, the oats slowly absorb the milk, apples, and cinnamon. When the kids wake up on a cold morning, the whole house smells like warm apple pie and hot breakfast is ready with zero morning cooking.
Family Tweak //Let kids top their own bowls with mini chocolate chips, sliced bananas, or extra maple syrup.

Ingredients

Servings

1 1/2 cupsSteel-Cut Oats, not rolled or instant
4 cupsWater
2 cupsWhole Milk or Oat Milk
2 piecesHoneycrisp Apples, peeled and diced
1/4 cupBrown Sugar
1 1/2 tspGround Cinnamon
1/2 tspKosher Salt
1 tbspButter, for greasing crock
1 setPure Maple Syrup & Pecans, for serving

Send to Kroger

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9 of 9 selected

Steel-Cut OatsKroger® 100% Whole Grain Steel Cut Oats · 28 ozWhole Milk or Oat MilkKroger® Vitamin D Whole Milk Gallon · 1 galHoneycrisp ApplesKroger® Honeycrisp Apples – 3 Pound Bag · 3 lbBrown SugarKroger® Light Brown Sugar · 32 ozGround CinnamonMcCormick Ground Cinnamon · 2.37 ozKosher SaltDavid's Kosher Salt · 16 ozButterKroger® Salted Butter Sticks · 4 sticks / 16 ozPure Maple Syrup & PecansAnderson's Pure Maple Syrup · 16 fl ozPure Maple Syrup & PecansKroger® Pieces Pecans · 4 oz

Not included: Water — no confident product match, so you'll need to add it yourself.

Adds to your own Kroger cart — you'll sign in with Kroger the first time. Prices and availability depend on your store. Nothing is ordered until you check out at Kroger.

480:00

Get to the point

1
Butter the slow cooker insert heavily to prevent sticking along the edges.
2
Add 1.5 cups steel-cut oats, 4 cups water, 2 cups milk, 2 diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
3
Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours (or WARM if your cooker runs hot).
4
Stir well in the morning and serve with a splash of cold cream and maple syrup.

Step by step

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Vessel Buttering & Anti-Stick Shield
Rub 1 tbsp softened butter or nonstick cooking spray heavily along the bottom and lower 4 inches of the ceramic slow cooker insert.
Why
Buttering the sides prevents oatmeal starches from crusting and burning along the waterline overnight.
Grain, Fruit & Liquid Ratio Balance
Add 1.5 cups coarse steel-cut oats, 4 cups water, 2 cups whole milk (or almond milk), 2 peeled and diced Honeycrisp apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Stir with a wooden spoon.
Why
Use steel-cut oats only — rolled oats or quick oats will break down into gluey mush over 8 hours.
Overnight Gentle Thermal Simmer
480 min
Cover with lid and set slow cooker to LOW for 7 to 8 hours (or WARM if your model has a high-heat low setting). Let cook undisturbed while everyone sleeps.
Why
The gentle low temperature swells the steel-cut oat groats, creating a creamy texture with a delightful al dente chew.
Morning Stir & Garnish Service
In the morning, uncover and stir thoroughly — the porridge will look set on top but turns creamy as you stir. Ladle into bowls and top with pure maple syrup, chopped pecans, and a splash of cold milk.
Why
Stirring incorporates the softened apples and cinnamon evenly throughout the pot.

Dad pro tip: Load the slow cooker before going to bed. While you sleep, the oats slowly absorb the milk, apples, and cinnamon. When the kids wake up on a cold morning, the whole house smells like warm apple pie and hot breakfast is ready with zero morning cooking.
Kid & toddler adjustment: Let kids top their own bowls with mini chocolate chips, sliced bananas, or extra maple syrup.
Serve with: Crispy bacon strips · Hot black coffee · Fresh orange juice
Reheating: Reheat leftover oatmeal in microwave with 2 tbsp milk for 1 minute.

Calories: 260
Protein: 8 g
Carbs: 46 g
Fat: 5 g

Nutrition source: USDA FoodData Central #168878. Cook-time basis: Crock-Pot 6-Qt 8-hour LOW overnight porridge testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you reheat leftover slow cooker overnight steel-cut oats without ruining the texture?

Reheat leftover oatmeal in microwave with 2 tbsp milk for 1 minute.

What is the target internal temperature for this recipe?

Confirm internal core temperature reaches 165°F using an instant-read digital probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part. Allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing to let carryover heat equalize and lock in juices.