Slow Cooker Thursday: No-Peel Apple and Steel-Cut Oats

I love putting things in the slow cooker at night and waking up to a yummy breakfast. Waking up and just smelling yumminess in the air.

Pinspiration: http://pinterest.com/pin/185210603398460468/

Everything in the slow cooker! I did spray the sides and bottom with Pam. I added a tablespoon of cinnamon because... what's apple oatmeal without cinnamon??

This is 7 hours later. Pre-mixed. I really thought I took a picture after I mixed it and before I served it. As you can see.... MAJOR sticking on the side. I had chunks of burnt oats that I threw out. 6 hours probably would have sufficed. I did half it, so I probably should have adjusted for that. Next time, I may just put it on "warm" and see how long it takes.

Ready to eat!

Slow Cooker No-Peel Apples and Steel-Cut Oats (modified)

1 apple, un-peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1.5 c milk (I used almond milk)

1.5 c water

1 c uncooked steel-cut oats

1/8 c brown sugar

2 T butter, cut into 2-3 pieces

1 T cinnamon

1/2 t vanilla

1/4 t salt

1. Spray inside of a large slow cooker with cooking spray.

2. Add all ingredients and stir.

3. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours (maybe less depending on your slow cooker).

4. Serve oatmeal in bowls. You can also add raisins, any other fresh fruit or dried fruit, walnuts or other nuts or maple syrup.

5. Store leftovers in refrigerator. Freeze in individual servings if desired.

6. To reheat single servings: Put 1-cup cooked oatmeal in microwave-proof bowl. Add 1/3 cup fat-free milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Continue cooking for another minute, or until hot.

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Review:

I'm still not sold on steel-cut oats, but will keep using them until they're gone. Adding milk (I used regular milk to reheat because I had run out of almond) to reheat helped some. Maybe more cinnamon or vanilla would help, because I think steel-cut oats have a very strong flavor.

However, this was much better than the chocolate oatmeal.