Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal

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Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal is a simple recipe that is bursting with flavor. Sweet and creamy oatmeal speckled with chunks of apple and cranberry is a favorite around here! Slow cooker otameal is absolutely amazing and a great way to fuel up before a busy day. Hearty, wholesome, and delish!!

Titled Image: Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal


 

Crockpot Oatmeal

As much as I enjoy a hot breakfast — and love for Munchkin to have a really great breakfast — I am beyond standing in front of a stove most mornings.

Enter the crockpot breakfast. Brilliant!

Get ready to meet your newest breakfast obsession: Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal!

Prep it the night before, then just dump it all in your crockpot and let it cook while you get ready for the day. Or, cook it overnight if you prefer. 

This slow cooker oatmeal is absolutely amazing and will surely be a family favorite. You could also try this cranberry walnut baked oatmeal

Cranberry fans will also enjoy cranberry orange quick bread and cranberry maple donut bread pudding — the latter is the ultimate choice for a more decadent breakfast option!!

ingredients for cranberry apple crockpot oatmeal

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Old-Fashioned Oats – Opt for old-fashioned oats (also called rolled oats) for your slow cooker oatmeal.

    They soften up nicely and will give you a really creamy texture. 

    You could also use steel oats, but I don’t recommend using instant.
  • Apples – Use your favorite variety, but make sure they’re cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Brown Sugar – I absolutely LOVE using brown sugar in crockpot apple oatmeal. It complements the fruit perfectly and adds depth to the overall dish.
  • Craisins – Here’s where the cranberry flavor in this crockpot oatmeal recipe comes from!

    Alternatively, you could use fresh berries for even more tartness. You may consider adding a touch of honey to the mix to balance it out.
  • Butter – I’m using unsalted butter because I like to add a bit of salt. You could also use salted and leave that extra pinch out.
apples, oats, cranberries and brown sugar in a crockpot

Helpful Tips to Make Slow Cooker Oatmeal

  • Prepare it the night before.

Half the beauty of making this crockpot oatmeal recipe is that you can prep it the night before!

Add the apples, craisins, and butter to a Ziploc bag and refrigerate. Then, combine oats, brown sugar, and salt into a separate zip-top bag and set aside. 

In the morning, pour both bags into the slow cooker, add water, and turn it on. Voila!!

  • Or, cook it overnight.

You can also cook your crockpot apple oatmeal the night before so that it’s ready for you right when you wake up. 

Simply follow the recipe as listed, cooking on low for 6-8 hours. Your crock pot apple oatmeal will be very soft and porridge-like!

  • And don’t forget to prep the slow cooker!

To avoid an overly sticky mess, make sure to spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray (or use a disposable liner!) before adding your crockpot oatmeal ingredients. 

cooking crockpot oatmeal

Storing and Reheating Crockpot Apple Oatmeal

Store any leftover crockpot apple oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 5 days.

Consider making a double-batch to enjoy all week long!!

To reheat oatmeal, add a splash of water or milk and microwave for 1 minute (more as necessary) or warm on the stove while stirring occasionally.

serving cranberry apple crockpot oatmeal

Crockpot Oatmeal Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to cook crock pot apple oatmeal?

It depends on the temperature settings! Either cook on High for 1 hour, or on Low for 1 ½ to 2 hours. 

For a very soft oatmeal, you can also cook on Low for 6-8 hours as instructed above!

Can I freeze leftovers?

Absolutely! You could also double or triple the batch to have crockpot oatmeal on hand at all times. 

Cool crockpot oatmeal to room temperature, then portion it out into Ziploc bags for easy access. 

Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the microwave in 1-minute bursts.

Do I have to peel the apples?

I personally like to peel mine, but that’s just my preference! You can certainly leave the skin on if you’d like — it will add color, flavor, and texture.

closeup of cranberry apple crockpot oatmeal

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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bowl of cranberry apple oatmeal

bowl of cranberry apple crockpot oatmeal

Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal

Donna Elick
Crockpot Oatmeal with apples and cranberries is a favorite around here. Make slow cooker oatmeal in a few hours or let it cook overnight!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Method Slow Cooker
Servings 4

Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 cups apples, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
  • 1/2 cup craisins
  • 1/8 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your 5 quart slow cooker by spraying slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Add all ingredients. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour or low for 1-1/2 – 2 hours.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Donna’s Notes

Prepare the night ahead. Add apples, craisins and butter to a zip lock bag. Refrigerate. Combine oats, brown sugar and salt to a separate zip top bag. Set aside. In the morning pour both bags into slow cooker, add water and turn on.
To reheat oatmeal, add a splash of water or milk to a 1 cup of oatmeal and microwave for 1 minute (more as necessary). Overnight cooking method: Follow recipe as listed, cooking on low for 6-8 hours. Oatmeal will be very soft and porrage-like.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 309cal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 353mg | Sugar: 25g | Fiber: 6g | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal

Originally published September 2015, updated and republished September 2023

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8 Comments

  1. I get up early, read this recipe, had all the ingredients in the crock pot by 6:00 am. Was eating a hearty bowlful at 8:30. So easy, quick, and yummy. This is so good, going to do again with peaches. Love it, thanks

    1. Hi Teresa. Unfortunately, quick oats will become very mushy in a slow cooker. Perhaps you could test the recipe using quick oats and cut back on the cook time. Let us know how it goes!

      TSRI Team member,
      Becca

  2. 5 stars
    This was so simple to make and ended up being such a delicious and easy breakfast! I think I will be making this regularly now!

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