Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

frontal view of bowl with apple cinnamon oatmeal

4.95 from 78 votes

Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal slow cooks overnight into the creamiest, coziest bowl of spiced apple goodness, so you can wake up to the warm smell of homemade comfort without lifting a finger.

Prep Time10

Cook Time8

Total Time8 10

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: servings

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Nora from Savory Nothings

Ingredients

For the fruit

2 tablespoons brown sugar or more to taste
1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 medium apples cored and sliced into bite-sized pieces (peel if you want to, but I never do)
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries OR raisins OR craisins
¼ cup butter sliced

For the crock

nonstick cooking spray

For the oats

2 cups old-fashioned oats uncooked
2 cups water
2 cups apple juice
¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Prepare fruit: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl. Add apples and cranberries and toss well to coat. Spray a 3-4 quart slow cooker well with cooking spray (important!), then transfer the fruit mix to the crock. Evenly dot with the butter.
Prepare oats: Add oats, water, apple juice and salt to the mixing bowl and stir very well, then pour over the fruit mixture in the slow cooker. Do not stir!
Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (5-6 hours if crock runs hot - test during daytime if unsure!). Either stir before serving, or spoon to oatmeal into bowls and top with the fruit mixture. Serve with a splash of milk, if you like.

Notes

Ingredient notes

Oats: Use old-fashioned oats for the best texture. Quick oats get mushy, steel-cut oats need 2 extra cups of liquid (3 c water + 3 c apple juice).
Liquid: Water + apple juice adds natural sweetness. All water = more bland, milk can curdle in the slow cooker so best to avoid.
Apples: Use firm varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala. Softer apples break down too much.
Dried Fruit: Cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots work. Skip them? Add a little extra sugar for balance.

Recipe tips

Grease the crockpot well to prevent sticking. A slow cooker liner works too!
Layer, don’t stir – pour the oats over the apples but leave them separated for the best texture.
Use the right slow cooker – 3-4 qt works best; too big = burnt oats. Double the recipe? Use a 5-6 qt crockpot.
Test your slow cooker – Some run hot! First time? Check at 5-6 hours.
No peeking! Opening the lid lets out steam and slows cooking.

Storage

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Oatmeal thickens as it sits.
Reheating: Add a splash of milk, water, or apple juice, then microwave in 30-sec bursts or warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
Freezing: Portion into single servings, freeze in containers or flat in zip-top bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat.

Nutrition