Creamy, delicious slow cooker porridge is the perfect easy breakfast for cold winter mornings. It's so easy to make, and you can customize the recipe to add any flavors that you like.
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Porridge, or oatmeal, is probably my favorite breakfast of all time. A comforting bowl of warm oats is just the perfect way to start your day, but it's also a fantastic evening snack and a very underestimated option for lunch.
This recipe will teach you how to make a basic plain porridge, but you can easily adapt this to add any flavors that you like. Check the Variations section below for ideas on how to get creative with your porridge!
Why you'll love it
- Cooking porridge in a slow cooker is really easy
- If you use dairy-free or long-life milk, you can add this to a slow cooker in the evening, and use the timer function to have fresh porridge ready to eat in the morning
- Adjust the recipe, and add any flavors that you like. Apple cinnamon porridge, chocolate chip, summer berries, carrot cake, pumpkin spice, and peanut butter porridge are among my personal favorites.
Ingredients
Oats: I like to use rolled oats, also often known as Scottish oats or large oats. You can also use quick cook porridge oats, but I find that these cook too quickly and get mushy in a slow cooker. If you like a very creamy, thick porridge, you can also use a combination of quick-cook oats and rolled oats.
Milk: Use any milk that you like. I tend to use semi skimmed milk or oat milk because that's what I usually have at home, but any milk will do. Whole milk, almond milk, and soy milk are all excellent options. Note that the porridge won't be as creamy if you use skimmed milk, but it will still work.
Instructions
You can find full instructions + ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page
Step 1: Place the oats and milk in your slow cooker, and stir to combine.
Step 2: Cover the crockpot with a lid, and leave the oats to cook for 1-2 hours on HIGH, or 3-4 hours on LOW, until the porridge has thickened to your liking. Check on the oats 30 minutes before the cooking time is up if you like runny oats crather than thick, creamy porridge.
Step 3: Serve the porridge immediately with your favorite toppings!
Top tips
- Keep an eye on the porridge. You might have to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on how thick you like your oats.
- If your family eats breakfast at different times, you can keep the porridge in the slow cooker on the KEEP WARM function until everyone has had a chance to eat it.
Serving suggestions
Porridge is a classic option for breakfast. Slow cooker porridge is delicious on its own, but if you're looking to add more flavor, you can either stir in or top the porridge with tasty additions.
Fresh or frozen berries, chopped fruit, jam, chocolate spread or squares, peanut butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, nuts, or seeds all taste fantastic in slow-cooked porridge.
Porridge isn't just for breakfast either! Enjoy slow cooker oatmeal after your workout, or serve it to your kids before bedtime. It's also a filling option for a lazy lunch or dinner.
Variations
Steel cut oats: You can also use steel cut oats. I find that these sometimes take a little longer to cook, so you might want to add an extra 30-60 minutes to the cooking time.
Add-ins: Add some flavor to your porridge by adding frozen or diced fruits or berries, chia seeds, pumpkin spice mix, gingerbread spice mix, cinnamon, apple sauce, or jam. These can all be added at the beginning of the cooking time, or immediately before serving.
Equipment
For this recipe, you will need a crock pot, or any slow cooker that you have available. Make sure that your slow cooker is large enough. I use a 6-quart slow cooker, but you can also use a smaller size, especially if you make a smaller batch.
Storage
Any leftover porridge can be stored in a sealed container in a fridge for up to 4 days. You can enjoy the porridge cold if you like, or reheat it in a microwave or on the stove for a few minutes until it's warm.
This dish is perfect for batch cooking, or for preparing breakfasts in advance. Make a big batch of porridge, refrigerate it in portion-sized containers, and you'll have breakfasts ready to eat throughout the week.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if your slow cooker has a timer setting. You can set the timer for how long you want to cook the porridge, and when the timer is up, it will change to KEEP WARM. Avoid using the cooking function all night.
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If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!
Recipe
Slow Cooker Porridge
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cup porridge oats
- 6 cups milk
Instructions
- Pour the oats and milk into the slow cooker, and stir to combine.2 cup porridge oats, 6 cups milk
- Cover the slow cooker with a lid, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve the oatmeal warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use any milk that you like. I use semi skimmed milk or oat milk, and they both work great. Soy milk, whole milk or almond milk should also work fine.
- Don't use quick cook oats, as they will turn very mushy.
- Some of the porridge might stick to the sides of your slow cooker. To avoid this, you can rub the inside of the pot with some butter before adding your ingredients. I only have this issue with one of my slow cookers, so it seems to depend on your appliance.
- Top your porridge with peanut butter, jams, fresh fruit or berries, nuts or seeds, chocolate chips, nutella, raisins, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, yogurt, berry compote or whatever sounds good!
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