This Overnight Steel Cut Oats Recipe is the easiest way to wake up to a satisfying breakfast! Ultra creamy, evenly sweet and packed with tender apples.
author’s note
My reliable Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Oats are one of my all-time favorite breakfasts. I ate overnight oatmeal almost every morning throughout my four years of college, and it’s still a breakfast I come back to often (although I do love a good acai or yogurt bowl in the warmer months!).
For me, the best bowl of oats has to be ultra creamy (I can’t do thick, stodgy oats!), evenly sweetened on its own without relying on toppings, and loaded with all the good stuff. I’m talking creamy nut butter, fresh fruit, a drizzle of something sweet, and a handful of chopped nuts for crunch!
These oats check every box! They’re sweet enough to enjoy plain, have the BEST creamy texture (as long as you don’t overcook them!), and couldn’t be easier to make. They’re reliable for feeding a crowd or meal prepping breakfast for the week.
One thing to know: They thicken as they sit, so I always keep some milk on hand to loosen them up as needed, especially when reheating.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Let’s Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Apples | Honeycrisp are a reliable! Peel and core them before adding. They soften enough to mash evenly right into the oats. |
| Steel-cut oats | Use regular steel-cut oats, not quick-cooking or instant. The wrong type of oats will become mushy during the long cooking time. |
| Coconut milk & water | Use canned, full-fat coconut milk, not refrigerated coconut milk. Stir well to distribute everything evenly. |
| Brown sugar & maple syrup | Start with the amounts listed, then taste after cooking. The apples add natural sweetness, too! |
| Cinnamon, salt & vanilla | Add cinnamon & salt before cooking, but save the vanilla for the end for the best flavor. |
How To Make This overnight Steel Cut Oats Recipe
- Prep: Generously spray a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or use a liner.
- Combine: Add oats, milk, water, sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt. Whisk well.
- Add apples: Peel and core four apples, then place them evenly over the oats.
- Cook: Cover & cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
- Mash & mix: Use a potato masher to break down the softened apples. Stir them into the oats, then mix in the vanilla.
- Serve: Add a splash of milk if needed, then pile on your favorite toppings!
chelsea’s recipe tips
a reliable Way To Build A Bowl
Start with creamy oats, add fresh fruit, a big spoonful of nut butter, something crunchy and a little drizzle of maple syrup. SO GOOD! Here are some other fun combos:
- Banana Nut: Sliced bananas, cinnamon, nut butter
- Berry: Fresh or frozen berries, splash of milk, almond butter
- Apple Cinnamon: Diced apples, cinnamon, drizzle of maple syrup
- Strawberries and Cream: Fresh strawberries, splash of cream, nut butter
- Nut & Seed Crunch: Chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit
Storage
How To Meal Prep This Overnight Steel Cut Oats Recipe
- To store: Refrigerate cooled oats in airtight containers for up to 4 days. It is satisfying to using these containers to prep out several for breakfasts throughout the week.
- To reheat: Microwave with a splash of milk, stirring until warm & creamy.
- To freeze: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
My tip: Store toppings separately so fruit stays fresh, nuts stay crunchy and you can switch things up each morning!
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