Wake up to Slow Cooker Irish Oatmeal. Throw it all in the crockpot in less than 5 minutes and when you get up in the morning, drizzle on a little maple syrup and enjoy a deliciously hearty breakfast.
Wouldn’t you like a nice warm healthy breakfast waiting for you when you wake up in the morning? Me too!
Slow Cooker Irish Oatmeal takes under 5 minutes to put together and you wake up to heaven in the morning. Geez, I think I am going to make this again tonight.
Use the steel cut type of oatmeal because it really is ‘the best’. You can double the recipe and even freeze individual servings with maple syrup drizzled on top.
What Are Steel Cut Oats (aka Irish Oatmeal)
- Steel cut oats are whole oat groats that are chopped up into smaller pieces.
- Their texture is relatively similar to coarse cracked wheat and makes marvelous thick oatmeal.
- Because these oats are minimally processed, it takes a little longer to prepare them than instant or rolled oats, usually about 20 to 30 minutes.
- They are also a perfect match for the slow cooker.
- Steel Cut Oats are sometimes packaged as “Irish Oats,” because some of the finest milled oats are grown and produced in Ireland.
- The humid climate and temperature of Ireland contribute to the slow ripening of the grain, allowing it to yield healthier and plumper oats.
Oats have been a staple on the Irish Breakfast Menu, in like, forever, especially in the form of creamy porridge.
Sometimes you can even find it as a gourmet option in restaurants and finer hotels.
Ready to vacation in Ireland?
Or, if it’s that time of year, you can stay here and start off your St. Patrick’s Day festivities with a nice big bowl.
What Does Irish Oatmeal Taste Like?
- Steel-cut oats have a deliciously creamy and chewy texture with an almost nutty-like flavor.
- Because they are firmer than rolled oats, they will still have a bite to it once cooked.
- It is a preferred choice for those who want a heartier feel to their oatmeal and as a change-up to rolled oats.
I can talk about Irish oats a lot. It’s just special. You can even bake with it.
Check out this Irish Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe because I think you’re really going to want to make them too.
Here’s a peek!
Health Benefits and Facts about Irish Oats
- It’s an excellent choice for breakfast because it is high in protein and that equals a high energy breakfast.
- Irish oats are also a great way to fuel your body because they contain complex carbohydrates that leave you feeling full for hours.
- Oats are rated as a low GI food (Glycemic Index), keeping your blood sugars low and your energy level steady.
- They’re rich in other vitamins and minerals too, including vitamin B’s, magnesium and iron, making them nutrient-dense food.
You can change it up too. I usually use maple syrup as in the photos but you can change the toppings to suit your whim.
Serving Suggestions
- You can pour dairy free milk over cooked Irish Oatmeal.
- Chopped apple makes for a great fruit addition.
- Raisins sprinkled on top would be good to add a natural sweetness that a lot of people love in oatmeal.
Can You Freeze Slow Cooker Irish Oatmeal?
Yes!
TO FREEZE:
If you’ve made extra, it will keep in the fridge for three days or freeze once the oatmeal has cooled.
You may freeze it using any of the methods shown in my article Preparing Food for the Freezer
TO DEFROST:
Put into the refrigerator the night before and warm through in the microwave stirring every 15 seconds.
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Slow Cooker Irish Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Irish Oatmeal, steel cut oats
- 5 cups water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Maple syrup for drizzling in the morning
- dairy-free milk for drizzling in the morning, optional
- apple chunks for adding to the oatmeal in the morning, optional
Instructions
- To the slow cooker - add the oatmeal, water and cinnamon.
- Stir well and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- If you have a timer on your crock pot and you can set the start time - that would be great. That is in case you want to sleep in and don't want to overcook the oatmeal.
- Double the recipe if you like!
- Spoon into a bowl and drizzle maple syrup over the top
Notes
Nutrition
Such a great idea! I love that I can wake up to my breakfast already made.
Love a hearty bowl of oats. And those little pools of maple syrup are really calling out to me!
So delicious and easy to make. We love waking up to this great breakfast. Thanks Ginny!
I need to start meal prepping my oats like this. I eat them everyday and this would be so much easier, just warm them up and add yummy toppings. I’m in!
I really like Irish oatmeal but I’ve never made it in my slow cooker. I’ll have to try your recipe!
This makes 4 servings B. Munroe. You’re going to love it. The nutrition label is at the bottom too.
How many servings does this make? As a diabetic this is a must to know. Thank you….. This looks delicious and I want to make it…..
My favorite kind of oatmeal! This looks and sounds just perfect! No junk and fast to prepare!
What a delicious oatmeal. I love how easy it is in a slow cooker.
As a proud Irish girl this recipe is speaking to my soul!
My children have to start their day with porridge: every single morning! I have never tried slow cooker oats before: you’ve inspired me to give it a go!
This sounds like the perfect breakfast – it is nutritious and takes so little time to create! I love my slow cooker so will definitely be giving this a try!
Such a simple recipe and a surefire way to have a nutritious breakfast.
Hi Lorraine! Yes, oats are gluten free. What you need to look for is contamination when packaging. Look at the label beneath the ingredients and it will say if it might have been processed on machinery that processed non-gluten free products. Don’t buy that one – just to be safe. Steel cut oats are in your regular grocery stores near Quaker Oats but not Quaker Oats. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oats may be there. If it isn’t it will be at Trader Joe’s.
hi I have been looking at your gluten free receipes for slow cookers. the receipe for irish oatmeal was there is this gluten free if so where do you find steel cut oats.
thank you lorraine
Thanks so much Andi!
I need to get in on this slow cooker oatmeal thing. Yours looks perfect, Ginny!
Yes Meredith! So good too!
You have got to make this Christiane! You will be happy!
Me too Jenn! Thanks for your support!
Easy and fast for the morning! Love it!
I’ve never tried Irish oatmeal, but looking at that bowl with the maple syrup pooling in it makes me want a bowl right now.
YUM, I love Irish oatmeal! And I wish I had a bowl of it right for breakfast! 🙂
That is great Ashley! I really think you will love it!
Thanks Stephanie!
Thanks Brenda! I love the ‘easy’ sometimes too.
It really is one of those things that you have to have in an area that is easy to get at. Right in front. I hope you get to make this Angela.
That is great Amy! By the way, I love cereal in the morning too. 🙂
Thanks so much Christie! I love them too!
Oh, I love Irish oatmeal! I like to make a big batch on the weekends that I can reheat during the week. I’ve never made it in the slow cooker but will definitely have to try it!
Sounds so comforting! I love that it’s made in the slow cooker!
Great idea! SO easy to throw in the slow cooker and let it do the work!
I LOVE oatmeal! Can you believe I’ve owned a slowcooker for 5 months and I STILL haven’t used it? Time to start! With this oatmeal!
We do cereal in the mornings during the week, because it’s just so easy. But this would be such a great alternative if it was ready for us when we woke up. Love it!
I love Irish oats and cooking them in the slow cooker. They do freeze so well. It is a great idea for a quick morning breakfast.
It really does Paula. Hope you get to make it!
Thank you so much Kim. I hope you get to make it someday.
I really do need to use my slow cooker more often! This would make breakfast a cinch.
I adore oatmeal. And love that this can be made in the slow cooker. It makes it that much easier! So great!