Fruited Steel-cut Oatmeal
Top of the mornin’ to ya! My busy mornings are so much better when I plan ahead. If clothes are laid out, bags and lunches are packed, and breakfast is ready, early mornings are manageable. Actually they are better than that. It makes such a difference in the feeling in our home and with each of us when I’m on top of things!
Several years ago, my friend Maggie shared the secret to her success, her belovedslow-cooker. Since then I’ve tried cooking breakfast casseroles, Dutch babies, even hard boiled eggs in crockery, but hands-down, my go-to easy breakfast is from BHG, Fruited Steel-cut Oatmeal.
Fruited Steel-cut Oatmeal
It’s fancy enough for weekend guests or holidays, warm, sustaining, and yummy, drizzled with pure maple syrup. My DIL made it for our big family this past summer at our family reunion and youngest to oldest couldn’t get enough.
Oats 101:
Some of you may not realize there are different kinds of oats.
| Steel Cut Oats
If you cut groats into two or three pieces with a sharp metal blade, you get steel cut oats. They cook quicker than oat groats, because water can more easily penetrate the smaller pieces. Steel cut oats are also sometimes called Irish oatmeal. |
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| Scottish Oatmeal
Instead of cutting oats with a steel blade, the Scots traditionally stone-grind them, creating broken bits of varying sizes, which some say results in a creamier porridge than steel-cutting. |
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| Rolled Oats – regular (old fashioned) Rolled oats (sometimes called old fashioned oats) are created when oat groats are steamed and then rolled into flakes. This process stabilizes the healthy oils in the oats, so they stay fresh longer, and helps the oats cook faster, by creating a greater surface area. |
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| Rolled Oats – quick or instant
If you roll the oat flakes thinner, and/or steam them longer, you create quick oats and ultimately instant oats. The nutrition stays the same (these are all whole grains) but the texture changes – a plus for some people and a drawback for others. The good thing about having so many choices is that everyone can get exactly the taste they like best! |
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| Oat Flour
Oat flour is a whole grain flour that can be used in baking, or for thickening soups and stews. |
Be sure to use steel-cut oats, as no other type will stand up to long cooking, and the texture is better. I always make a double batch because it reheats in the microwave. Everyone likes it that much too.
Here’s all you need to do. In a 3-1/2 or 4-quart slow cooker combine water, steel-cut oatmeal, apple juice, cranberries, raisins, apricots, the ¼ cup maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. I like to serve the oatmeal with brown sugar or additional maple syrup, chopped nuts and milk or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Fruited Steel-cut Oatmeal
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
I like nothing better than waking up to a warm, comforting, breakfast, ready in the crockpot. It's especially lovely with a house-full of guests! You'll love Fruited Steel-cut Oatmeal!
Author: Renée
Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups steel-cut oats
- 1 cup apple juice
- ¼ dried cranberries
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup snipped dried apricots
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- brown sugar or maple syrup
- chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
- milk or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- In a 3-1/2 or 4-quart slow cooker combine water, steel-cut oats, apple juice, cranberries, raisins, apricots, the ¼ cup maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Serve oatmeal with brown sugar or additional maple syrup, chopped nuts and milk or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Notes
Go ahead, make a full batch...it re-warms perfectly in the microwave.
Happy Mornings ALL, now it’s your turn. What do you do to streamline your busy households and get everyone going in the right direction each morning?
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We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! 
You know, I have never like hot oatmeal cereal, but this does look so delicious!!! 😀
I LOVE steel cut oats! I have wondered how to do this since I have to be to work by six. This would be perfect.
Looks absolutely delish!
Would it freeze?
I’ve never tried to freeze it. My guy will have a serving each day till it’s gone! Try it Tauna and see if it’s still good, then please let me know.
I have a can of Irish Oats in my pantry…getting the other ingredients and making this sooon.
xo bj
How is the texture of the oats after cooking like this? It sounds delish and I love oatmeal…but I sorta like a crunch in it. 🙂
xo
Pat
Hi Pat,
You will like Irish oats. The flavor of the cooked oats is described as being nuttier than other types of oats, and they are also chewier. They take longer to cook, making them idea for crockery cooking. They also have a higher glycemic index, making them perfect for those of us that have sugar issues. Give them a try, I think you’ll be pleased.
Sounds good! I haven’t made oatmeal in a while and have a couple apples to use up:@)
Looks like a wonderful dessert to me! What flavors. We are going to have to try this with the cold weather here!
I love oatmeal but have never tried Irish oats. Your oatmeal looks soooo good. How does this type of oat hold up in cookies?
Sounds is so delicious. Those arrangement is so perfect and that is one of the reason why it looks beautiful. My favorite is oatmeal but have never tried Irish oats.
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I honestly never new steel cut oats were also referred to as Irish oats! I love oatmeal during cold weather and love your fruity version.
What a wonderful oatmeal recipe. I didn’t know Irish oats were the same as Steel oats. Hope all is well in your world 🙂