Crockpot Spiced Apple Steel Cut Oats: Wake Up to the Smell of Apple Pie
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Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 6-8 hours | Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the warm, cozy smell of apple pie drifting through your house – and that’s exactly what happens when you make these Crockpot Spiced Apple Steel Cut Oats!
This has become my family’s absolute favorite fall and winter breakfast because it combines the hearty goodness of steel cut oats with tender, spiced apples that taste just like dessert. The best part? You literally just dump everything in your slow cooker before bed, and breakfast is ready when you wake up!
Why I Love This Recipe
I discovered this recipe on one of those hectic busy mornings when I was desperately trying to find a healthy breakfast that wouldn’t leave us hungry by 10 AM. My grandmother always said oatmeal “sticks to your ribs,” and she was absolutely right! After trying rolled oats, instant oats, and every breakfast cereal on the planet, I finally found my holy grail with steel cut oats.
What makes this recipe so special is that it tastes like you’re eating warm apple pie for breakfast, but it’s actually packed with fiber and will keep you satisfied until lunch. Even my pickiest eater asks for seconds! Plus, it makes eight servings, so I portion it into containers and have breakfast ready for almost two weeks. It’s like having money in the bank!
Key Ingredient Notes
While you’ll find the complete ingredient list in the recipe card below, here are some tips for the key players:
- Steel Cut Oats: Don’t substitute these with rolled oats or quick oats! Steel cut oats hold up to the long cooking time and give you that perfect chewy texture. I love Bob’s Red Mill brand.
- Fresh Apples: I use 1 to 2 medium apples, peeled and diced. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work beautifully, but any baking apple will do the trick.
- Spices: We use cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. You can use all cinnamon or an apple pie spice.
- Milk Choice: The original recipe uses almond milk, but any dairy or nondary milk such as whole milk, oat milk, or coconut milk work great too. Coconut milk makes it extra creamy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Crockpot Oatmeal
After making this recipe dozens of times, here are my best secrets:
- Grease Your Crockpot: Always spray the inside with cooking spray or use a liner. Steel cut oats love to stick, and you’ll thank me when cleanup time comes!
- Watch Your Timing: Every slow cooker is different! Start checking after 6 hours – you want the oats tender but still with a little chew. If your slow cooker runs hot, it might be done sooner.
- Stir Before Serving: Give it a good stir when it’s done cooking to mix everything together perfectly.
- Test Your Slow Cooker: The first time you make this, try cooking it during the day so you can keep an eye on it and figure out your slow cooker’s timing.
- Size Matters: This recipe works best in a 4-6 quart slow cooker. If you have a smaller one, cut the recipe in half.
Serving Suggestions
This oatmeal is delicious on its own, but here are some of my favorite ways to jazz it up:
For Adults: Top with chopped walnuts, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, extra cinnamon, and a splash of almond milk
For Kids: Add a few mini chocolate chips, sliced bananas, or a dollop of peanut butter
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For Special Occasions: Sprinkle with toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and a tiny bit of brown sugar
I love serving this in individual bowls with a pitcher of milk on the side so everyone can customize their portions. For busy mornings, I sometimes pack it in mason jars with the toppings already mixed in!
Storage and Leftovers
This recipe is a meal prep champion! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to one week in airtight containers. I like to portion mine into single-serving containers (about 1 cup each) so I can just grab one and go.
To reheat: Add about 1/3 cup milk to a cup of cold oatmeal and microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over low heat.
The oatmeal also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months! Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Some people even eat the cold leftovers mixed into yogurt – it’s like overnight oats!
Variations to Try
Once you master the basic recipe, try these fun twists:
- Pumpkin Spice: Replace the apples with 1 cup pumpkin puree and use pumpkin pie spice instead of apple pie spice
- Cranberry Walnut: Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts in the last hour of cooking
- Chocolate Chip: Stir in 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips after cooking for a kid-friendly version
- Tropical: Use coconut milk, diced mango instead of apples, and a sprinkle of coconut flakes
- Berry Bliss: Replace apples with 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (add in the last 2 hours)
Related Recipes You’ll Love
If you love easy make-ahead breakfasts like this one, you’ll want to try these other cozy morning recipes! My Baked French Toast Casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be prepped the night before just like these oats. For a protein-packed option, my Crustless 3-Cheese Asparagus Quiche is hearty and satisfying for weekend brunches. And if you want to mix things up with different grains, my Crockpot Steel Cut Oats & Bulgur recipe adds extra texture and nutrition to your bowl.
Make This Your New Morning Favorite!
This Crockpot Spiced Apple Steel Cut Oats recipe has completely changed my morning routine for the better! The combination of being healthy AND tasting like dessert makes it a winner every single time. There’s something so comforting about waking up to the smell of warm spices and knowing breakfast is already done.
If you love this recipe as much as my family does, please give it a 5-star review below! Your feedback helps other home cooks discover this amazing breakfast, and I read every single comment. I’d love to hear how this recipe works in your kitchen! Drop a comment and let me know if you try any of the variations. Do you have a favorite topping combo? Share it – I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy my morning oats!
Crockpot Spiced Apple Steel Cut Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5½ cups water
- 2 cups milk I use almond milk
- 2 cups steel cut oats
- 1 apple cored and diced into large pieces
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt pinch
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a crockpot with non-stick cooking spray or use a liner.
- Add all ingredients and stir together. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours or until oats are tender.
- Remove lid and stir well before serving.
- Serve hot with desired toppings like nuts, raisins, extra milk, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!
Originally published: October 2016
Updated: September 2025
Hi. May I replace the water with milk?
You absolutely can, Yevette. That will make it creamier. I enjoy using almond milk as well. I hope you’ll stop back and let me know what you think.
I’m so sad. This recipe turned out way too goopy-too much liquid. I followed the directions and quantities exactly. I’m not sure where I went wrong. 🙁
Shoot Arianne! I’m so sorry this didn’t work for you. I’ve never had that issue before so not sure what happened. You did use steel-cut oats, right?
What is a serving size for the crockpot oatmeal? You only say 8 serving. Is it 1 cup or 1/2 cup?
Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Bobbie! It a 1 cup serving. Each cup of uncooked steel-cut oats makes about 4 cups cooked.
This is a perfect breakfast recipe, Julie. As a passionate lover of oats, this is my new favorite breakfast! Can I use coconut milk?
Hi Agness! It would be amazing with Coconut milk. You could even just use water but it wouldn’t be as creamy.
Steel cut oats are my favorite breakfast! So nutty, hearty, and delicious.
Mine too, Christie! Thank you!
Apple spiced oats sound so wonderful right now… And I love the fact that you can freeze them for quick breakfasts in the morning!
Thank you Michele! I love making it ahead and then I can enjoy it all week long. It’s like money in the bank LOL!
Slow cooker oatmeal is one of my favorites! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thank you, Madi! Mine too!
This would be a great breakfast to wake up to! I do like oatmeal and even better if it tastes like apple pie!
Thank you, Lisa! I love the stuff and it’s so good for you too.
Hi Julie, thank you for this one. I must admit that I was completely lazy and didn’t want to take my slow cooker down from the very top shelf last night. I have recently had surgery and am not supposed to lift anything. I heated the water on the stove and added the steel cut oats, spices, and apple; simmered them all for 10 minutes and then turned off the heat and covered the pot with the lid. This morning I added the almond milk and reheated perfect cooked oatmeal. I did add some stevia as the almond milk was unsweetened.
Now I have a healthy breakfast for the rest of the week.
Thank you, Liz! I hope that you are taking care of yourself and are on the mend. I love your method for when I forget to start it the night before, and almond milk with a little brown sugar splenda is how I like mine too.
I can’t imagine a better way to enjoy breakfast on a crisp fall morning!
Thank you, Michaela! I love breakfasts like this.
I never thought about using my crock pot for breakfast until I make grits (or polenta) overnight with some chicken stock and extra butter. I was so happy to come downstairs and already have a hot breakfast ready to go! I can’t wait to try this one!
Thank you Jennifer! It is so good and a great way to start my day!
This would be perfect when there is company. An easy make-ahead that everyone will enjoy – YUM!
Thank you, Debra! I’m selfish and just kish it up into single servings for ME LOL!
I like the way you think! 🙂
Thank you Debra!
I need to try these! It sounds so extra easy with the slow cooker and the flavors are just perfect! A very Fall inspired morning treat for sure!
I think it would be perfect for you and your healthy lifestyle Angela!
We have a USC morning football game coming up. Im thinking this in the crockpot will be a great filling breakfast while tailgating!
I never thought of a tailgating breakfast, Michele! I love the way you roll!
It is definitely the perfect time of year for a warm, yummy bowl of oatmeal like this! I love that it’s made in the crockpot, too!
Thank you, Ashlyn!
I could totally go for this healthy and delicious hot breakfast. I love oatmeal! Yum!
Thank you, Debi especially since it’s getting colder.
Ok Julie, I trust you. I will have to give this a shot. Similar recipes have failed me in the past…
Thanks, Debbie! Let me know what you think!
Mmmmmm! This sounds so yummy, Julie! I just printed your recipe and added steel cut oats to my shopping list. Thank you for sharing healthy recipes with us. Wishing you happy Autumn days! ♡
Thank you, Dawn! I just love this stuff. Believe it or not it fills me up and but helps keep the weight off.
I was actually looking for some new ways to incorporate more steel cut oats into my diet. This one looks a-ma-zing!
Thank you Ana! I’ve been thinking of you a lot. I’ll drop you an email and we can chat!
I can only imagine the aromas wafting through the house and your bedroom beckoning you to come on down :)) Gorgeous. Will def have to try this someday as we are forever eating oatmeal for breakfast with nuts and dried fruit. If I didn’t have my chilli in the crock pot right now getting ready for our friends annual chilli cook off on Saturday, I’d be trying this out for tomorrow.
Thank you, Loretta! I just love your cook-offs, and I know the chili one would be my very favorite. I eat oatmeal a lot. I find that it not only fills me up that I don’t have as many cravings throughout the day. It’s a power food in my weight arsenal.