Rich in flavor, high in fiber, and with a punch of protein! This slow cooker porridge makes for an easy, healthy morning breakfast. Pop it into the slow cooker the night before and wake up to breakfast ready and waiting.
Plus, made with a comforting maple cinnamon flavor, you can freeze it making this protein oatmeal, and enjoy the flavor whenever you need a boost! It makes a wicked meal prep recipe.
Busy mornings have you stressed out to the max?
With three kids, mornings are a mess in my house. Which means simple breakfast ideas are a must.
And it doesn’t get much easier than this slow cooker porridge!
Made with all the ingredients you need for full bellies plus the fuel to kick off the day, this high-protein oatmeal is perfect for busy moms. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
Add in the simple hack that you can freeze it in individual portions and you’ve got yourself a staple new breakfast recipe!
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love that this slow cooker porridge is:
- Dairy-free and gluten-free (oats depending of course)
- Easy to make
- Full of healthy grains
- Packed with protein
- Minimal added sugars
- it can cook overnight and be ready in the morning
Learn more about slow cookers and choosing the best one for your family (and how to use it!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this slow cooker porridge is the fact that it uses simple ingredients. If you have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry, you’re all set to whip this up.
So, skip the sugar-filled cereal and pre-packed oatmeal and set your family up to kick off the morning with sheer nourishment.
Steel-cut oats: make sure to use a gluten-free brand as needed and know that regular rolled oats won’t work for this healthy porridge.
Almond milk: any non-dairy milk will work here, we use homemade hemp milk the most.
Dairy-free butter: personally, I try to find vegan butter that doesn’t have a high amount of sunflower oil or shortening. However, any vegan butter will work.
Collagen powder: between the steel-cut oats and collagen powder this porridge is packed with protein! Collagen is one of the healthiest sources of protein and it keeps you full. So, it’s a great way to kick off the day.
Maple syrup: a comforting flavor and a great way to scale back processed sugar too! Use real maple syrup for the best flavor.
Hemp hearts: this just adds a dose of healthy fats to the bowl.
Cinnamon: use ground cinnamon and know that the fresher it is the better.
Fruit: if you want to add fruit to your oatmeal, you’ll be adding it on top. Apples or dried cranberries are our favorite!
How To Make Slow Cooker Porridge
- Line a 7-quart slow cooker with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter and whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Add in the steel-cut oats, cinnamon, collagen, and hemp hearts.
- Pour the wet ingredients over top and mix until everything is wet. Add any sliced fruit you’re using onto the top of the mixture.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
Make sure not to “lock down” the lid on your slow cooker. This creates too much pressure.
You don’t need to line your clock cooker with parchment paper but it makes for a way better cleanup and less scraping.
We love to make this slow cooker porridge in an apple cinnamon flavor. If you want to do this, slice apples thinly and place them on top of the oatmeal mixture. Dried fruit works well too to alter flavors.
You can meal prep and freeze this slow cooker oatmeal, learn more about that below.
The longer that the slow cooker sits on “warm” the thicker the porridge will become.
Rolled oats or quick oats cannot be subbed for steel-cut oats. Both absorb liquid too quickly and will turn to mush.
Choosing Collagen Powder
It’s no surprise that this slow cooker porridge is made with collagen powder!
All the protein without the bloat.
I use collagen powder for amping up protein and boosting gut health.
Learn about the difference between collagen and bone broth as how to increase protein intake.
Honestly, as a busy mom collagen powder just makes it easy to eat more protein and not feel like I’m living off chicken and eggs.
And more protein means more energy, more natural beauty, and feeling your BEST.
Plus, in recipes like this, you can sneak protein into your kids as it’s one of the purest sources.
I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it.
Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
Easy to mix, this collagen powder adds a protein punch to anything you pair it with. Made from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows there are no pesticides, hormones, or filler agents. Just put collagen protein. Use code mamabear10 to save money on your next order.
How To Meal Prep & Freeze The Porridge
This slow cooker porridge recipe is awesome as a meal prep breakfast recipe.
Whip it all up and then portion it into individual-sized containers or a loaf pan (let it cool first). It works best with silicone containers or molds (just cover them in tin foil).
Pop them in the freezer until you need them.
When you’re ready to eat them, remove them from the freezer and add a tablespoon or so of milk to each portion.
Two ways to reheat the protein porridge:
The oven: If they’re in a silicone mold just remove the tin foil and pop in the oven (after adding the milk). If they’re in plastic you’ll need to transfer them to an oven-safe proof dish. Reheat porridge at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until cooked (about 30 minutes).
The microwave: let them sit on the counter to thaw slightly, and add in a tablespoon or so of almond milk. Then, pop them in the microwave for a few minutes until cooked through.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Porridge
Oatmeal and porridge are often referred to as oatmeal. That said, oatmeal is technically a kind of porridge. However, porridge can be any grain that is mixed and soaked in milk or water.
Yes, you can! Store slow cooker porridge in sealed containers in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. When you’re ready to eat, pop it in the microwave and heat it until cooked through. Take care to give it a stir so that it heats evenly.
Unfortunately no. Protein powder, especially vegan protein powder absorb a lot of liquid. This would alter the texture of the slow cooker porridge greatly.
Favorite Toppings
This is a pretty basic recipe for slow cooker oatmeal. Which means that you can make it as basic or rich as you like!
Some of our favorite toppings for slow-cooked porridge are:
- drizzled nut butter
- dried fruit
- toasted pecans
Other High-Protein Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
- Dairy-free breakfast casserole
- Lemon protein chia seed pudding
- Chocolate banana chia pudding
- High protein pancakes
- Berry Protein Oatmeal
- Peanut butter chocolate chip protein baked oatmeal
- Double chocolate protein baked oatmeal
- Dairy-free breakfast casserole
- 18 Make ahead breakfast ideas
- Gluten-free blueberry bagels
- Protein bagels
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Easy, gluten-free bagels
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Maple pecan oatmeal
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow cooker breakfast casserole
- Slow cooker beef fajitas
- Slow cooker banana bread
- Slow cooker chicken alfredo
- Slow cooker Tuscan chicken
Maple Cinnamon Slow Cooker Porridge
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Steel cut oats
- 3 cups Almond milk
- 3 cups Water
- ¼ cup Dairy-free butter
- ⅔ cup Maple syrup
- ¼ cup Collagen powder
- ⅛ cup Hemp Hearts
- 1.5 teaspoon Cinnamon ground
- 1 Apple sliced, options
Instructions
- Line a 7-quart slow cooker with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter and whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Add in the steel-cut oats, cinnamon, collagen, and hemp hearts.
- Pour the wet ingredients over top and mix until everything is wet. Add any sliced fruit you’re using onto the top of the mixture.
- Cover and cook the slow cooker porridge on low for 7 hours.
Notes
- Cooking times may vary for the size of your slow cooker. This protein porridge was made in a 7-quart slow cooker. If your slow cooker is smaller, the time may be more. If larger, the time may be less.
- Make sure not to “lock down” the lid on your slow cooker. This creates too much pressure.
- You don’t need to line your slow cooker with parchment paper but it makes for a way better cleanup and less scraping.
- We love to make this slow cooker porridge in an apple cinnamon flavor. If you want to do this, slice apples thinly and place them on top of the oatmeal mixture. Dried fruit works well too to alter flavors.
- Know that apple isn't included in the nutritional breakdown.
- You can meal prep and freeze this recipe, learn more about that in the blog post.
- The longer that the slow cooker sits on “warm” the thicker the slow-cooked porridge will become (versus a creamy porridge).
- Rolled oats or quick oats cannot be subbed for steel-cut oats. Rolled oats absorb liquid too quickly and will turn to mush.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Jere Cassidy says
This recipe is a lifesaver and the first time I used steel cut oats. I did make this and made up bowls for our breakfast and what a hit with the family. I actually enjoyed a bowl for lunch.
fitasamamabear says
Steel cut oats makes it really hearty! Happy you gave them a go!
Liz says
This porridge sounds so cozy! I love that I can use my slow cooker for breakfast!
fitasamamabear says
Slow cookers save sanity haha
Heidi says
I topped mine with toasted pecans and it was absolutely delicious! It was a wonderful smell to wake up to in the morning, too.
fitasamamabear says
Mmmm pecans definitely make everything better lol glad you enjoyed it!
Gina says
I don't often use the slow cooker but absolutely love it for this recipe. Setting it before bed and waking up to the perfectly cooked breakfast is such a time saver in the morning.
fitasamamabear says
It's a total lifesaver! Glad you busted yours out for it!
Lisa says
My husband and I enjoyed this porridge. It was so warm and comforting to wake up to and made the whole house smell wonderful.
fitasamamabear says
Warm and cozy meals are the best way to wake up for the day!
Julianne says
This turned out perfect and I really love the maple flavor with a hint of cinnamon. What a bonus that I could just set it and forget it, using a slow cooker!
fitasamamabear says
Maple is a staple haha
Elizabeth says
Such a great breakfast option and I love how much easier it was than making it on the stove! Perfect recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Right?! Nice option to NOT be in the kitchen.
claudia says
This porridge brought me all the Autumn leaves falling vibes. It was so warm and so lovely to wake up to the aroma of cinnamon and apples.
fitasamamabear says
So happy you loved it!
Gina says
I adore the heartiness of steel cut oats but cooking them stove top is kind of a pain when you want breakfast quickly. This recipe is the perfect solution!
fitasamamabear says
Omg yes! They take so much "watching" on the stove. I love the chewy texture of steel cut though.
Jessica says
This is such a cozy, hearty breakfast. I just love how it keeps me full all morning and how easy it is to prep and clean up. My kids like it, too!
fitasamamabear says
Happy the house enjoyed it!