Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal + VIDEO

Slow cooker apple cinnamon oatmeal is a comforting breakfast that practically makes itself while you sleep. Made with steel-cut oats, fresh apples, cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup, this recipe creates perfectly cooked oatmeal with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, or anytime you want a wholesome, satisfying start to your day without extra effort. Instructions to make apple cinnamon oatmeal quickly in the Instant Pot are also included.

Ingredients For Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

• Oats: This recipe calls for steel-cut oats, not quick or instant. 
• Apple: Use your preferred type of apple. Honeycrisp or Fuji for sweeter oatmeal, Granny Smith for a more tart flavor.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, classic apple cinnamon flavor.
• Milk Of Your Choice: Dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk all work. Use full-fat options for a creamier texture.
• Maple Syrup: This adds natural sweetness. Reduce or increase as desired.
• Vanilla: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.

How To Make Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Slow Cooker

1. Spray slow cooker generously with cooking spray.
2. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook HIGH 3-4 or LOW 6-8 hours.
4. Stir well before serving.

Instant Pot

1. Spray the Instant Pot generously with cooking spray.
2. Add all the ingredients. Stir gently to mix well. Set high pressure for 4 minutes.
3. When cooking time is up, let the pressure naturally release before opening.
4. Stir well before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Set-it-and-forget-it – Perfect overnight breakfast
• Meal prep friendly – Make once, enjoy all week
• Naturally sweetened – Maple syrup adds gentle sweetness
• Hearty & filling – Steel-cut oats keep you full longer
• Customizable – Use your favorite apples and milk
• Cozy & comforting – Classic apple cinnamon flavor

FAQs & Tips

What is oatmeal?

Oatmeal is a term used to describe a porridge made from ground, steel cut, or rolled oats. Each of these terms just means that the oat has been removed from a husk and is ready to cook! Oatmeal may also be called hot cereal, which also covers cream of wheat and grits, but we are just going to focus on making oatmeal today.

Should you use steel-cut or rolled oats?

Slow cooker oatmeal is best made with steel-cut oats. Having said that, yes you can use rolled oat if you must but you will need to make adjustments. For the slow cooker, the cook time will be 1-2 hours on high or 2-4 hours on low. For the Instant Pot, the cook time remains the same but you have to change the oat/liquid ratio. This recipe does not work with instant oatmeal.

Liquid/Oatmeal ratio for slow cooker or Instant Pot:
Steel cut – 3 cups liquid to 1 cup oats
Rolled – 2 cups liquid to 1 cup oats

Should you use water or milk?

You can use the milk/water ratio I list in the recipe card or you can use all water or 3 cups of your preferred milk. Milk will make the oatmeal creamier than plain water. For this recipe to be vegan, you have to use either water or something like a nut milk or coconut milk. Personally, I use almond milk. 

How do you make this vegan?

For this to be vegan, use a nut milk like almond milk. Use a sweetener like maple syrup or your preferred sugar. 

Do you have to use maple syrup?

Nope. In general, you don’t have to use a sweetener but it definitely ads to the taste. Maple syrup substitutes include brown sugar, sugar, or honey (not vegan). 

Can you double this recipe?

You can! Double or even triple the recipe without having to make adjustments to the cook time. You will just need a larger appliance.

Will the oatmeal stick to the appliance?

It’s important to spray the slow cooker or Instant Pot generously with cooking spray to keep the oatmeal from sticking. The oatmeal will still probably stick to the sides a bit but it won’t be nearly as bad as it would if you didn’t spray.

 

How do you serve this?

Top your oatmeal with your preferred toppings. Suggestions include additional sweetener, chopped nuts, granola, etc.

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover slow cooker apple cinnamon oatmeal in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker did you use?

I use a 3.5-quart slow cooker for this recipe. Feeding a larger crowd? Double the recipe and use a larger slow cooker. 

Oatmeal Recipes

• Old Fashioned Oatmeal

• Pumpkin

• Creamy Berry

• Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

This recipe first appeared in my cookbook, The Easy & Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook. 

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