Description
A warm and comforting Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe that combines tender apples, sweet cranberries, and aromatic spices slow-cooked to perfection. This easy-to-make breakfast is flavorful, wholesome, and perfect for busy mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Mixture
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or more to taste)
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 medium apples, cored and sliced into bite-sized pieces (peel optional)
- 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries (or raisins or craisins)
- 1/4 cup butter, sliced
- Nonstick cooking spray
Oatmeal Base
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats, uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Fruit: In a medium mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Add the cored and sliced apples along with the cranberries, tossing everything well to evenly coat the fruit with the spice mixture. Spray a 3-4 quart slow cooker thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray, then transfer the coated fruit mixture into the crockpot. Evenly dot the fruit with slices of butter.
- Prepare Oats: Using the same mixing bowl, add the old-fashioned oats, water, apple juice, and salt. Stir the mixture very well to combine all ingredients. Pour this oat mixture gently over the fruit mixture in the slow cooker, making sure not to stir the layers so they remain separate.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or 5 to 6 hours if your slow cooker runs hot. Check around the lower end of cooking time to prevent overcooking. Once done, either stir the oatmeal before serving or spoon oatmeal into bowls and top with the fruit mixture. Serve warm, optionally with a splash of milk.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
- Adjust brown sugar amount according to your preferred level of sweetness.
- If you don’t have apple juice, you can substitute with more water and a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
- Oats absorb liquids differently depending on brand; check consistency towards the end of cooking and adjust liquid next time if needed.
- Adding a splash of milk when serving enhances the creaminess of the oatmeal.