Slow-Cooker Steel-Cut Oats
Updated May 17, 2021
- Total Time
- About 8 hours
- Rating
- Comments
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Ingredients
- 1cup steel-cut oats
- 1teaspoon kosher salt
- Toppings, optional (see Tip)
Preparation
- Step 1
In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the oats, salt and 4 cups water. Cover and set the cook time to 2 hours on low, at which point the slow cooker will automatically switch to warm. Cook on warm until the oatmeal is creamy and tender, about 6 more hours. (The 6 hours on warm is not optional; the oats will not be done after 2 hours on low. If you wish to cook them more quickly, you can cook for 4 to 5 hours total on low.) Ladle into bowls and serve with the toppings of your choice.
- For serving, use toppings like tahini and za’atar; fried shallots and lime juice; chile crisp and peanuts; shredded Cheddar and pickled red onion; olive oil and grapefruit slices; crumbled cooked bacon and marmalade; coconut milk, brown sugar and turmeric; cashews, honey and banana chips; honey, flaky salt and butter; peanut butter and jelly.
Private Notes
Comments
Instead of using a slow cooker or Instapot (which I don't have), I soak my steel-cut oats over night, covered in water in the pot they will be cooked in. Add a pinch of salt, and cook on low for a few minutes in the morning, while I brew coffee. My usual add-ins are chopped almonds, walnuts, dried fruits like cranberries, apricot, apples, dates. The combinations are endless.
I mix 1/2 C steel cuts oats with 1 C water, pinch salt, bring to a boil. turn off cover and let sit until morning. Then just reheat, add some milk, fruit, whatever you want. Very easy.
I sub in one can of coconut milk and mix in cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg - such a delicious breakfast.
Made overnight, so 2 hours slow cook then maybe 6 hours or so on warm using instant pot. Maybe try a little less liquid next time. It was pretty watery and I drained it a little. Even though it’s only 1 cup dry, it looks like maybe 4-5 half cup servings, a lot. Which I can keep in fridge and enjoy all week!
Have made this many times with great success! It is my go-to for easy weekday winter breakfasts. I use half water half oat milk and mix in brown sugar and cinnamon to our family’s taste. I have never gotten the burn notice on my Instant Pot, however, I bought a new insert for it, just for this use-case, and a new gasket (since I find those gaskets retain smells even after washing). One note, this creates a lot of moisture that leaks out of my Instant Pot (mostly into the overflow cup on the back, but sometimes overflows it). It took me a couple times to figure that out. Just keep a dish towel handy in the morning.
For several years I've been doing the same thing that Sally Brown describes. 2 and 1/3 cups water heated to a boil. Add 2/3 cup of organic steel cut oats (Trader Joe's these days). Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, cover, and let sit all night. In the morning heat individual portions in the microwave and add toppings.