I've had a package of steel cut oats (this exact container)
in the pantry forever! And for some reason I've been nervous to try them in spite of the countless recommendations from twitter friends and fellow bloggers.
I decided to try the overnight method and cook the oats in the crockpot, crock pot, slow cooker, whatever you call that thing! I didn't follow any recipes. I just used the water to oats ratio recommendation and added a pinch of salt.
Since this was my first shot at it I decided to keep them favor-less and add different toppings in the morning. This ended up to be a great idea as Little Guy and I could each make our own bowls. More on that later.
My verdict... perfect! When I woke up and peered under the lid I was less than impressed. But a half hour later I was enjoying a delicious warm bowl for breakfast and it was divine! Let me tell you what I did...
Ingredients
- 1 cup Steel Cut (Irish) Oats (160g)
- 4 and ½ cups of water
- pinch of salt
Instructions
Place all ingredients in the slow cooker, stir, cover and cook for 8 hours (overnight) on low.
The next morning you may be an unimpressed as I was.
There seemed to be this film over the pot and it definitely stuck to the sides and bottom. It was also kind of soupy. So I shut the slow cooker off, stirred it up and left it uncovered for about 20 minutes while I showered. When I got back the oats seem to have thickened up even more and they looked delicious! It was weird.
We made two different flavors. For Little Guy I added a handful of frozen blueberries, a sprinkle of cinnamon and some raw sugar.
He loved it! And adding the frozen fruit cooled it down perfectly for him.
For me I drizzled honey, sprinkled cinnamon, some diced up dried cherries and kept it nice and hot.
I LOVED it! and he loved making faces while I photographed. 🙂
Overall I think the crockpot/slow cooker steel cut oats were a success. I may even make a big batch next time the family is over and have an oatmeal topping bar style breakfast. That would be fun on Thanksgiving morning when you already have a ton of stuff to cook and prepare but a houseful of guest that still need breakfast. Oh! but I will spray the crock with non-stick.. it's a MESS right now.
I'll put the steel cut nutritional information in below but remember you have to add the toppings if you are counting. My honey, cinnamon and cherries added maybe about 50 calories, if that.
Update:I had two servings leftover and put them in single serve containers. To my surprise they heat up wonderfully! I simply dumped the cold oats in a bowl, warmed in the microwave for 2 minutes and topped with honey and cinnamon. It was just as good if not better the next day!
📖 Recipe
My Overnight Steel Cut Oats Adventure
Ingredients
- 1 cup Steel Cut Irish Oats (160g)
- 4 and ½ cups of water
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the slow cooker, stir, cover and cook for 8 hours (overnight) on low.1 cup Steel Cut, 4 and ½ cups of water, pinch of salt
- The next morning you may be an unimpressed as I was.
- There seemed to be this film over the pot and it definitely stuck to the sides and bottom. It was also kind of soupy. So I shut the slow cooker off, stirred it up and left it uncovered for about 20 minutes while I showered. When I got back the oats seem to have thickened up even more and they looked delicious! It was weird.
janicedoty
Want a way to have oatmeal in the summer? Try overnight fridge oatmeal--it is so easy!! Pretty much everything goes in a jar, shake it and put in fridge overnight or for several days if you make a few. Stir and enjoy it cold--so refreshing if you've been outside or post exercising.
I've never tried the crockpot version....thanks for the idea!
http://beingathomewithmyself.com/2012/05/22/choosing-favorites-refrigerator-oatmeal-my-new-standby/
pam
Steel cut oats are also great with a little almond butter or peanut butter mixed in after cooking. I cook mine with unsweetened almond milk, on the stove. Just stir every so often. Delicious
Coco
I have had that exact same container of Steel Cut Oats in my pantry for forever as well. Guess it's time to try my hand at making them.
Lissa
I've never tried steel cut oats before, and this post/recipe inspired me to try them. I didn't have overnight though, so I cooked them up on the stovetop with almond milk (instead of water) and added some bananas...DIVINE! I will most definitely be making these more often! (The hubs doesn't like the texture of oatmeal, so they're mine, MINE, all miiiiiiiiiine!)
Kelly
I just started making steel cut oats, but I use my (really cheap) rice cooker. I put the oats and water (1cup oats and 2cups water) in the rice cooker the night before with no heat. The next morning I set my cooker to "cook" and they are done by the time I'm out of the shower and dressed (30 minutes give or take) . They come out nice and chewy, just the way I like them.
Becky
I made this the other night! It was great b/c that morning there was 12 inches of snow. After shoveling for 2 hours, I came in and had a huge bowl. Added some dried fruit and honey. Very good and I am one of those brown sugar favs and it was good and filling. I shared w/ my biggest loser monthly challenge friends!
robin
I make my steel cut in a wide mouth thermos. Trick is to preheat the thermos with boiling water first. Then I add about 4-5 t of oatmeal to about 1 1/2 c boil water. stir it around a bit, seal and go to sleep. I have used apple juice and a spicy tea also in place of the water. Then add all of your goodies in the morning...enjoy!!!
CindMoore
BTW - Best liquid I EVER found for making oatmeal is tea made from Celestial Seasonings' Nutcracker Sweet...It tastes nutty, buttery and slightly of cinnamon.
Judy
I make steel cut oats in my rice cooker! I use the timer so they are done right at breakfast time. The recipe I use is from The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook by Hensperger and Kaufmann. It has additions of vanilla, cinnamon and chopped dates. Not low cal but very good. There are other recipes that suggest adding grape-nuts cereal or granola.
Lyn
We always throw in a chopped apple or two (skin on for texture) and a whole cinnamon stick before cooking. The apples get all soft and good!
Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama
I've made steel cut oats in the crockpot two different ways...one was dump them right into the crockpot and cook, the other was to use a crock pot bath (I think that's what it's called).
I like the way the bath method turned out better than straight in the crockpot!
But we do the same thing when we have oatmeal for dinner, I make plain steel cut oats on the stove, spoon them into bowls, and everyone adds whatever they want to it. We usually have fruit and yogurt as side dishes.
ryan
Best way in the crock pot is this.
1.Fill your crock pot half full of water.
2.Find a bowl that will fit into your crock pot.
3.Take the bowl that fits in your crock pot and add your steel cut oats and water ratio.
4.Put the bowl in crock pot and put lid on crockpot
5.turn crock pot on low and heat overnight
6.Take lid off crock pot and take your bowl out
7.Enjoy your oats in your bowl
8.Dump water out of crock pot and wash and dry.
9.Have a great day :0)
jennie
I have bought the ready made ones from the freezer section of Trader Joe's, but making a big batch and freezing wold be much cheeper. Have you tried the crockpot liners? I have used them to keep a dish warm, but haven't cooked a meal in one. I love dried cherries, cherry jam, and a little splash of vanilla in mine 🙂
Jennie
Tammy
See? There you go again! Motivating me to try something new! AND! This sounds like the perfect recipe to try using one of those new crockpot liners! Great idea for the oatmeal bar! I love that!
Christine
Hmmm, may have to try this. Don't know if hubby will go for it, but maybe with some cinnamon and apple sauce mixed in. And if leftovers heat up well, I guess it's no big deal if he doesn't like it...I can eat the rest another time.
Sarah
Have you ever tried the crock pot liners? Basically a plastic bag designed to sit in the crock pot. Makes for an easy cleanup!
lunzy
Yeah! you made the steel cut oats jump!! 🙂 I usually just do stove top since it really isn't a big deal if you just plan ahead. Cooking them in apple juice instead of water is D'LISH! I also just cook up a big batch and keep them in a large tupperware container and reheat throughout the week, super easy.
Autumn
I also make steel cut oats in my crock pot overnight. I use half water and half milk, and they turn out creamy and delicious. I make 8 servings at a time, put half in 1 cup containers and freeze, the other half in my fridge. That way I get about two weeks of weekday breakfasts from one big cook.
Angelic
As usual - you are such an inspiration! I've never made the steel cut oats. They look inedible on the shelf at the grocery store. As soon as I finish off my canister of regular oats, I'll try this. I tried overnight crockpot oatmeal with the regular oats last winter some time and as was unimpressed as you were when I took the lid off - ICK! I will try again - with steel cut this time. Do they taste much different? I also like the idea of the overnight stove top cooking method. LOVE your blog girl!
Sarah
I love the steel cut oats in the crock pot. I tried it once with some apple juice instead of water, and they were terrible. But, the water method, they are yummy, and I love adding whatever I want in the morning. I also put them in individual servings and reheat at work. Yummm
FoodontheTable
I love steel cut oats in a slow cooker! They are so good for you too. It's a great way to start the day.
Ami
My son just had a campout for his 7th birthday and I made oatmeal for breakfast. I cook them in a combo of apple juice & water, so we don't really have to add sugar to them normally. I put all sorts of goodies on the table for them to sprinkle, but they just went for the cinnamon and sugar. Still, it was a great hit considering most of them either tell their moms they don't like oatmeal, or they just never really eat it at home. They kept saying things like, "Everything is just so good!" and "This is really hitting the spot!" It was adorable!
I've been intimidated by making overnight steel cut oats, too, even though they've been in my pantry so long. We will have to have them soon, though! Thanks for taking the plunge!
CindMoore
I don't like anything sweet for breakfast but you all have me thinking...maybe i'll saute some onion and celery before adding the oatmeal. Next morning reheat with some cheese and crumbled veggie sausage or bacon.....
Kim
I make them in the crock pot all the time - it's great to go to bed and have them ready in the morning. I usually add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the whole batch then sprinkle with a little cinnamon. Yum:)
[email protected]
I make overnight steel cut oats with that same ratio, but I do it on the stove top--so easy and easy to clean! 🙂 I do it at least once a week, and they come out perfect every time 🙂 Bring the oats, water and salt to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Then just cover and turn off, and the next morning: perfect! 🙂
Bonnie Richmond
I've been eating steel cut oats for over 2 years now. I buy them at the healthfood store in bulk. I just bought more yesterday, and they were 99 cents per pound. That's MUCH cheaper than Bob's Red Mill. I make just 1 serving every weekday morning...1/4 cup oats, 1 cup water, sprinkle of salt. Once they start boiling, I add frozen blueberries, or black raspberries and continue cooking until done. In the winter when they are in season, I add pomegranates, however I wait to add them right at the end before I pour it into my bowl. I use Splenda for sweetener, because it doesn't bother me. I love steel cut oats because they are so much chewier. Rolled oats practically just run down your throat, so it's much more fun eating these! I'm glad you finally tried them, Roni!
Jessica
AWWW! I wish you had posted this earlier! I could have thrown this together before coming into work! Ah, well...Tomorrow is another day! ( and I'm stuck at work, wanting oatmeal in the WORST way! lol)
deb roby
I make overnight steel cut oats all the time - but I do them on the stove top. MUCH EASIER.
As I'm getting ready to head to bed, I bring 4 cups of water to a boil. When its boiling, I toss in about 1.5 tsp of salt, then the oats. Give the water a stir, put the lid on, and TURN OFF THE HEAT.
The oats cook slowly overnight. In the morning, I scoop up 1 serving and warm it up in the microwave. The rest goes into the fridge for the rest of the week.
[email protected]
haha look at that little face, too cute <3
MMMMM LOVE YOUR OATS!!
SoHelpMeKath
I've lifted the idea of the "bain-marie" method from this site: http://annkroeker.com/2008/03/25/overnight-crockpot-steel-cut-oatmeal/
I really like the creamier texture of the oats. It tends not to get crusty around the edges, and there's no skin.
I talked about my favorite variations here: http://sandwiched.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/wfmw-my-favorite-breakfast/
Amy P
I make them once a week for myself. I make a batch and put them in single serving containers in the fridge. Then heat them up for my breakfast every morning.
If they are going to be a regular staple in your house look into buying them in bulk. I get them at my local food co-op. They are cheaper that way.
I love the idea of a morning oatmeal bar for the holidays 🙂
Alison
yumm! Alton brown has 2 good steel cut oat recipes on Food Network. I've actually combined his stovetop version with the crockpot version b/c I liked the idea of adding buttermilk and butter 😀 I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Beth
I love making breakfast things like that overnight in the crocpot! You probably don't eat grits living in MD, but if you do....cooking the real stuff in the crockpot is wonderful to wake up to in the morning!
Jan
I make steel cut oats all the time but I do it on the stove top. Just use 1 cup water and 1/4 cup oats. Bring to boil then simmer for about 30 minutes. I will often add some fruit while it is cooking. Yum!
Jami
How friggin' weird is this? I just came to your site last night searching to see if you had made steel cut oats! I bought a canister at Whole Foods and have been intimidated about trying them up to this point. Suppose I'll get cooking now!
Krista S.
I love love love steel cut oats! I always do them stovetop, though because the one time I did it in the crock pot, they came out terrible. Maybe I'll give it another try with your ratio of water to oats. I either get the Bob's Red Mill brand or McCann's Irish Oats. Delish.
Amy
I LOVE steel cut oats. I've never tried the over night thing, but will the next time I make them. :o)