Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Slow cooker oatmeal is the ultimate breakfast hack for busy mornings — warm, hearty, and ready when you wake up.

If you’re tired of rushed mornings or skipping breakfast altogether, this easy make-ahead meal is about to change your routine.

With minimal prep the night before, you can wake up to a comforting breakfast recipe that tastes like they’ve been simmering all morning.

Whether you prefer classic cinnamon and brown sugar or want to add fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup, this cozy meal will quickly become a family favorite that starts your day off right.

A white bowl filled with creamy slow cooker oatmeal topped with chopped pecans sits in front of a slow cooker. The text “Slow Cooker Oatmeal” appears at the top, with a spoon and oats visible in the background.

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A white bowl filled with slow cooker oatmeal topped with pecans sits on a striped cloth in front of a Crock-Pot, with cinnamon sticks and oats in the background.

How to Make Oatmeal in the Crockpot?

Combine milk, water, quick oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter in a greased slow cooker.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 3 hours.
Stir before serving, adding more milk or butter if needed for a creamy texture.

A close-up of slow cooker oatmeal with milk, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, ready to be mixed for cooking.

A close-up view of a slow cooker with milk, cinnamon, and a dollop of butter inside, ready to be mixed for a cozy slow cooker oatmeal recipe.

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?

Yes! Old-fashioned oats work great but may need an extra 30–60 minutes of cook time for the best texture.

What toppings go well with crockpot oatmeal?

Fresh fruit, brown sugar, maple syrup, chopped nuts, or even a spoonful of peanut butter make delicious add-ins.

How long do you cook oatmeal in a slow cooker?

For the perfect creamy texture, cook oatmeal on low for 8 hours (ideal for overnight cooking) or high for about 3 to 4 hours if you’re making it during the day. Cooking on low helps the oats cook evenly without burning or getting mushy.

How to keep oatmeal from sticking to a Crockpot?

Always grease your slow cooker before adding ingredients — use butter, nonstick spray, or even a light coating of coconut oil. You can also use a slow cooker liner for effortless cleanup. Another trick is to avoid stirring too often while cooking, which helps prevent sticking around the edges.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker?

In general, yes — most slow cookers are designed so that 1 hour on high equals about 2 hours on low. However, for recipes like oatmeal, the low-and-slow method gives a creamier result and helps prevent scorching around the sides.

A bowl of creamy slow cooker oatmeal topped with chopped and whole pecans, placed on a light gray cloth with a white stripe.

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A white bowl of slow cooker oatmeal topped with pecans sits on a gray cloth. Text reads: Slow Cooker Oatmeal. Hearty & comforting. Water, milk, salt, brown sugar, quick oats, butter, cinnamon. Find the recipe at mommalew.com.

If you love easy breakfasts like this, be sure to check out these great ideas too!

From soups to desserts, these slow cooker recipes make mealtime effortless and full of flavor.
Warm, soft, and satisfying — baked oats are a delicious way to enjoy a cozy, oven-fresh breakfast any day of the week.

A white bowl filled with creamy oatmeal topped with chopped pecans sits on a gray cloth—an inviting Christmas breakfast idea, perfect for the crock pot—with raw oats and cinnamon sticks blurred in the background.

Crock Pot Oatmeal Recipe

Wake up to warm, creamy slow cooker oatmeal! This easy overnight recipe makes busy mornings simple with minimal prep and cozy homemade flavor.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best slow cooker oatmeal, Crock pot oatmeal, How to Make Oatmeal in the Crockpot

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 8 5

Servings:

Author: momma lew

Ingredients

3 cups milk
1-2 cups water
1 ½ cups quick oats
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons butter

Instructions

Grease your crockpot with butter or cooking spray.
Place the milk and water in the crockpot.
Stir in the quick oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt until well combined.
Distribute the butter evenly over top of the oatmeal mixture.
Set the lid on the crockpot and cook on low overnight for 8 hours or on high for 3 hours.
After the cooking time, stir up the oatmeal, adding additional milk or butter as needed.