Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 32 ounces vanilla-flavored almond milk
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups steel-cut oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups diced apple, or more to taste
- 1 cup chopped pecans
What Makes This Dish So Tasty
Warm, cozy, and perfect for busy mornings. It combines the natural sweetness of apples with the comforting flavor of cinnamon. Plus, it’s made in the slow cooker, so you can wake up to a ready-to-eat breakfast without any hassle.
Practical Cooking Tips
- Use steel-cut oats for a chewy texture, but adjust cooking time if needed.
- Add the cinnamon later in cooking to keep its flavor fresh and strong.
- Stir the oatmeal before serving to mix any settled ingredients evenly.
- Add the cinnamon later in cooking to keep its flavor fresh and strong.
- Stir the oatmeal before serving to mix any settled ingredients evenly.
Directions
Giv your slow cooker a quick spray with some cooking spray to keep things from sticking. Pour in the almond milk, water, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, then whisk everything together until it’s well combined. Toss in the oats, dried cranberries, and butter, stirring gently to mix. Set the slow cooker to low and let it cook for about 3 and a half hours. After that, stir in the diced apples and pecans, then let it cook for another 2 hours on low. Once it’s done, give it a good stir and serve warm for a cozy breakfast.
How To Plate This Dish
Top with a drizzle of maple syrup or a splash of milk for extra creaminess. Adding chopped nuts or a spoonful of yogurt can give a nice contrast in texture and flavor. Fresh fruit like sliced bananas or berries also works well.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a bit of milk or water to loosen the texture. This oatmeal can also be frozen for up to a month.
