Cranberry Apple Slow Cooker Oatmeal
Hearty oatmeal gets a tangy twist with Craisins® Dried Cranberries and fresh apples. Bonus! This cranberry apple oatmeal is made in the slow cooker for a hot breakfast ready when you are!
*This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BetterWithCraisins #CollectiveBias
I just started a health challenge on Monday and although it’s going to be a good thing in the long run, I’m feeling the sugar cravings and I’m definitely adjusting to smaller portions again. So when I eat something, it’s got to be hearty, filling, and full of flavor. This cranberry apple slow cooker oatmeal fits the bill! It’s thick, lightly sweet and the Craisins® Dried Cranberries add a nice zing to typically bland and boring oatmeal.
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The Craisins® and apples add nice chewy texture to the oatmeal as well, so it’s not just soft, mushy oats. I even added a little bit of cinnamon too! Yum! So I have to confess, when I buy Craisins® I get them in the big 48oz Club Pack at Sam’s Club because they are such a great deal to buy them in bulk. (If you are a Sam’s Club member, you can find the Craisins® next to the nuts and snacks.) My kids like munching on them as is, and I like putting them in things like oatmeal and salads. I especially love them in this Light Chicken Salad. They just add a little zing! And in case you are wondering: 1/4 cup of Craisins® is equal to 1/2 cup of fruit to help you get your fruit intake for the take.
There’s something delicious about a hot breakfast in the cold wintertime that helps me get out of bed in the morning. Luckily this slow cooker oatmeal cooks up in as little as 1 & 1/2 hours which is about as long as it takes us to get up and going for the day. Plus, it’s super simple. All you need is oats, water, diced apples, Craisins® dried cranberries, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Put all the ingredients into a greased slow cooker.
Stir it all up and set it on high for 1 1/2 hours, or low for 3 hours.
Fluff the oatmeal with a spoon and you are ready to eat!
Depending on how long it takes you to get ready in the morning, you can prep a lot of the ingredients the night before and start it first thing in the morning, or you can let it cook all night, but it will be extra soft in the morning.
So, depending on your texture preference, plan your cooking time accordingly, but definitely plan on making this for breakfast sometime. The leftovers reheat well too! So pretty and so delicious! Love those pops of red Craisins®!
Cranberry Apple Slow Cooker Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 4 cups (947 ml) water
- 2 cups (160 g) old fashioned oats
- ½ cup (80 g) Craisins® dried cranberries
- 2 apples, peeled and diced
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp (28 g) butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Grease a large (4-6 quart) slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 1 ½ hours, or low for 3 hours.
- Fluff oatmeal with a spoon and serve immediately with milk, if desired.
Notes
- Reheat leftovers with a little milk or water.
- Cook on low overnight for 6 to 8 hours for a porridge-like consistency.
- Recipe lightly altered from The Slow Roasted Italian
Did you make this?
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Excellent and easy recipe to make when you want it or make ahead. We make it ahead and store in one serving containers which is a nice time saver for mornings.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying this recipe Suzanne. Thanks for sharing your review!
My husband is a diabetic. Can the briwn sugar be substituted with something else? He would love this
Splenda brown sugar or other diabetic friendly sugar substitutes should be fine.
I make this at least once a month. I love it. My husband even likes it and he doesn’t like oatmeal, usually.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that Wendy! Thanks for coming back to let me know that you are enjoying this recipe.
Could blueberries used instead of apples?
That should be fine.
Need to feed 6 for breakfast. Do you have any tips or comments for doubling this recipe or can I just double everything? Thanks!
It will be fine, but will probably take longer to cook. My guess is 1.5-2x the cook time.
Can the butter be left out? Or substituted with something?
You can leave it out or substitute coconut oil.
Can you use fresh cranberries in this recipe?
Yep! Go for it!
Great idea! Thank you Amber.😊