The Easiest Slow-Cooker Breakfast For Weight Loss

If you want a heartier – and healthier – bowl of oatmeal, choose less-processed steel-cut oats. The only issue is that they take much longer to cook – at least 40 minutes. Making a big batch to freeze is a great option, but if you didn’t have time to do that over the weekend, this is the quickest, easiest way to wake up to a warm, comforting bowl.

All you need is a slow cooker and a good night’s sleep. Just pop a few ingredients in, turn it on before bedtime, and the cinnamony smell will lure you out of bed into your kitchen. This is a pretty basic recipe, so you can dress it up however you like. Below, you’ll find nutritional info for a few flavor combinations, but feel free to get creative. This recipe makes four servings, so if you don’t have anyone to share it with, just save the rest in the fridge. Then in the morning, with a few beeps of the microwave, you’ll have breakfast waiting for three more days that week.

From Jenny Sugar, POPSUGAR

Slow-Cooker Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Notes

To increase the protein, replace almond milk with unsweetened soy milk. Note that this oatmeal is very soft and liquidy when it first comes out of the slow cooker, but after 20 minutes or so, it firms up as it cools.

Ingredients

1 cup steel-cut oats (do not use rolled oats or quick oats)

1 tablespoon flaxmeal

2 cups water

2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Give the slow cooker a quick spray with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
Add all the ingredients, and secure the lid.
Cook on low for eight hours or overnight.
In the morning, scoop out one quarter of the oatmeal, and add your favorite toppings.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated throughout the week in a microwave-safe bowl.

Image Source: Calorie Count

Below are the calorie counts of some of my favorite flavor combinations.

Banana Cashew Oatmeal

1/4 slow-cooker steel-cut oats: 176 calories, 5.5 grams fiber, 5.9 grams protein
1 teaspoon maple syrup: 17 calories, 0 grams fiber, 0 grams protein
1 small banana, sliced: 89 calories, 2.6 grams fiber, 1.1 grams protein
8 salted cashews, chopped: 72 calories, .4 gram fiber, two grams protein

Total: 354 calories, 8.5 grams fiber, 9 grams protein

Blueberry Mango Oatmeal

1/4 slow-cooker steel-cut oats: 176 calories, 5.5 grams fiber, 5.9 grams protein
1 teaspoon maple syrup: 17 calories, 0 grams fiber, 0 grams protein
1/4 blueberries: 21 calories, .9 gram fiber, .3 gram protein
1/4 cup mango: 25 calories, .7 gram fiber, .3 gram protein
20 pistachios: 79 calories, 1.4 grams fiber, 3 grams protein

Total: 318 calories, 8.5 grams fiber, 9.2 grams protein

Apple Date Pecan Oatmeal

1/4 slow-cooker steel-cut oats: 176 calories, 5.5 grams fiber, 5.9 grams protein
1 teaspoon maple syrup: 17 calories, 0 grams fiber, 0 grams protein
1/2 apple, chopped: 47 calories, 2.1 grams fiber, .2 gram protein
1 Medjool date, chopped: 66 calories, 1.6 grams fiber, .4 gram protein
8 pecans, chopped: 78 calories, 1.2 grams fiber, 1.2 grams protein

Total: 367 calories, 10.4 grams fiber, 7.7 grams protein

Coconut Almond Chocolate Oatmeal

1/4 slow-cooker steel-cut oats: 176 calories, 5.5 grams fiber, 5.9 grams protein
1 teaspoon maple syrup: 17 calories, 0 grams fiber, 0 grams protein
1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut: 45 calories, 2 grams fiber, 1 gram protein
10 raw almonds, chopped: 69 calories, 1.4 grams fiber, 2.6 grams protein
1 tablespoon (23) dairy-free chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chips): 50 calories, 0 grams fiber, 0 grams protein

Total: 357 calories, 8.9 grams fiber, 9.5 grams protein