In most cases, I’m not a fan of the crockpot. Feel free to gasp and avert your eyes from the page, but yes, it’s true. I’m sorry. I know it’s incredibly useful, but in most cases, I’d much rather just get the job done in a fraction of the time and enjoy my food now instead of waiting 6-8 hours. Or along the same lines, I don’t like having to plan out my meals 6-8 hours in advance, because sometimes 1-2 hours in advance is too far ahead for me. I can’t be the only one that finds it hard to think about dinner at breakfast time. Call me crazy, I know many people couldn’t bear to be separated from their crockpots, but there are only a few things I use mine for.
Breakfast is one of them. I’m an impatient person when it comes to breakfast. It better be done fast or I’ll eat something else for breakfast and save the fancy stuff for lunch. And by fancy I mean things that take longer than 15 minutes to whip up.
I guess I should say that breakfast would be one of the things I use my crockpot for. I wish I could say that I actually cooked this in my crockpot at night and enjoyed it first thing in the morning. I don’t know if you noticed – although, how could you not? – that I have an ancient crockpot. Like, this baby doesn’t even have the knob to adjust it to high or low anymore. I’m seriously wondering if it’s older than I am. I’m pretty sure they stopped making bright blue crockpots a loooong time ago. But fortunately for me I only paid $3 for it at a yard sale 4 years ago and it’s still going just fine. Yay! I’ve found that if this oatmeal cooks longer than 6 hours the texture isn’t as good, so just for you, I cooked this in my ancient crockpot in the middle of the day. And yes, I ate it for lunch.
So speaking of crockpots, I’m looking for recommendations. I may not love my crockpot for everything, but for some things it’s invaluable. I’m looking for one large enough to make this kind of recipe(I believe mine right now is a 6 quart), that has a timer, a warm setting and a glass lid(or do they all come with those these days?). Any recommendations?
And, the winner for the coconut oil giveaway is… Mary!! Congratulations! I’ve already emailed you, please email me your contact info so it can be shipped out to you as soon as possible. Thank you to everyone else for participating!
[print_this]Chocolate Steel Cut Oats
Serves 8
- 2 C steel cut oats(not rolled oats!)
- 7 C milk(dairy or non dairy work here – even water is fine, but we like it a little creamier)
- 3 bananas, well mashed
- 1/2 C unsweetened cocoa
- 1 generous pinch of salt
- 1/4 C honey (or any other sweetener, liquid or even granulated sugar) plus more to taste
Place all ingredients in your crockpot. Whisk together to combine the cocoa with the milk. Set the crockpot to cook on low for 5-6 hours. Once done, stir and serve while hot with a little extra milk and honey(or other sweetener) if desired. Fresh fruit, especially strawberries are recommended and a drizzle of natural peanut butter is recommended as well.
Notes: This can easily be cooked on the stove top as well, just combine all the ingredients and cook over medium low heat for 20-30 minutes until the oats have reached the desired consistency.
Leftovers should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge and reheat well for quick breakfasts.
The bananas are noticeable in the end product. They can be omitted, but the milk should be increased to 8 cups and the sweetener will need to be increased to at least 1/2 cup.
This recipe can easily be halved for smaller crockpots.[/print_this]
Comments & Reviews
Kelly says
I have falling in love with oatmeal this last year and just started eating steal cut oats. I like the texture much better. Been trying to find new ways to spice it up, and I will have to try this. I thought I hated oatmeal but that’s because of the texture. One thing I can’t stand is soupy mushy oatmeal. I am weird and only put half the liquid in most recipes because I actually like the texture of the grain. I guess maybe because the steal cut reminds of rice or even the rolled oats have more “give (not sure how to describe it) with only half the liquid. It isn’t hard to eat actually and still has the nice comforting creamy texture. I will have to adjust this one somehow too.
As far as crock pot use goes. If you are stay at home spouse I can see where it isn’t a desire or a need really. As in our house we have one but because my husband isn’t working right now (I am the bread winner at the moment) so he doesn’t use it that often other than to make pulled pork or ribs (for some reason they just fall apart after being in there). However, I have to get up real early for work and our mini crock warmer to do steal cut oats. Especially sense fall is here and the mornings are very chilly especially this early in the morning. I did use the microwave at work to make it but this is much better. I even like it better then stove top.
On a side note for homes were both adults are working the crock pot is a God send. I grew up in a home were my mother worked. She cooked home cook meals but at least 2 or 3 times a week the slow cooker came in handy for her. I now you “don’t want to wait 8 hours” for food to be done but when you are at work all day you aren’t really “waiting” for it to be done. It is like magic walking in the door and dinner is done. After a long day at work the last thing most people want to do is cook dinner lol.
Kelly says
I have falling in love with oatmeal this last year and just started eating steal cut oats. I like the texture much better. Been trying to find new ways to spice it up, and I will have to try this. I thought I hated oatmeal but that’s because of the texture. One thing I can’t stand is soupy mushy oatmeal. I am weird and only put half the liquid in most recipes because I actually like the texture of the grain. I guess maybe because the steal cut reminds of rice or even the rolled oats have more “give (not sure how to describe it) with only half the liquid. It isn’t hard to eat actually and still has the nice comforting creamy texture. I will have to adjust this one somehow too.
As far as crock pot use goes. If you are stay at home spouse I can see where it isn’t a desire or a need really. As in our house we have one but because my husband isn’t working right now (I am the bread winner at the moment) so he doesn’t use it that often other than to make pulled pork or ribs (for some reason they just fall apart after being in there). However, I have to get up real early for work and our mini crock warmer to do steal cut oats. Especially sense fall is here and the mornings are very chilly especially this early in the morning. I did use the microwave at work to make it but this is much better. I even like it better then stove top.
On a side note for homes were both adults are working the crock pot is a God send. I grew up in a home were my mother worked. She cooked home cook meals but at least 2 or 3 times a week the slow cooker came in handy for her. I now you “don’t want to wait 8 hours” for food to be done but when you are at work all day you aren’t really “waiting” for it to be done. It is like magic walking in the door and dinner is done. After a long day at work the last thing most people want to do is cook dinner lol.
Tamara says
I think applesauce could be used in place of bananas…just a random thought 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I’m so glad there are others out there who don’t think the crock pot is all that and a bag of chips like most! I too cannot stand thinking (and touching) dinner foods at breakfast. It doesn’t help that I work from home and don’t really NEED the crockpot either. Maybe if it were out of necessity, I’d use it more but honestly, it comes out like 3-4 times a year max. I’ve never done breakfast foods in it b/c making oats on the stove takes all of 5 minutes and even if they’re steel cut, 20-25…no need to drag it out for hours, But, that being said, these chocolate ones look delicious and worthy of a shot! 🙂
jackie@marinmamacooks says
Hi Heidi. I am right there with you on the whole crock pot thing. We have one and my hubby loves to use it but, I have yet to make anything from it. I’m just not a crock pot kind of gal.
I am also the same way when it comes to breakfast. I like to have my coffee and cereal within 10 minutes of waking. I do love oatmeal though but never treat myself to it as it takes to long to cook.
My kids are not fans of oatmeal but would probably love this one as it has chocolate in it. This recipe might be their re-introduction to oatmeal.
Eat Good 4 Life says
This is sort of one of my favorite ways to start my day. I normally use regular oats though, I really I am not sure if it is the same thing. I have to check it out. Love the facts that this has bananas in it and like in your pictures adding some fresh strawberries won’t hurt either. Great picts!!
Heather says
I love how simple this is!
I don’t typically use my crockpot unless it is dead winter and I know I will have a long day ahead of me at work and won’t return home until late – then I will typically throw ingredients together the night before for a soup (usually pea soup) store the crockpot instert in the fridge loaded with ingredients, and then pop it into the cooker before leaving for work – I have to day it is pretty awesome to walk into the house and laredy have dinner done :)..I have a standard crockpot, made by crockpot I bought years ago from overstock, it came with an awesome insulated carrying case that has straps on the inside to keep the cover secure when travelling….and I do bring my crockpot along often to potlucks 🙂
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
I make a lot of different variations of steel cut oats in the crock pot. I’ll have to try this one–who can resist chocolate for breakfast?!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Bookmarked! This looks amazing. What a yummy breakfast 🙂 I’ll definitely be making this as soon as I get some steel cut oats from the store.
Baking Serendipity says
Every time I make dinner in the crockpot I talk all night about how I need to do it more often because it’s so simple…but then I forget and carry on with life. I’ve definitely never made breakfast in the crockpot before, but this oatmeal looks fantastic!
Baltic Maid says
I admit, I don’t use my crockpot very often either. I am from Germany and we don’t have them there. When I was gifted one here in the States, I didn’t know what to do with it for a long time… 😛
This Oatmeal looks great though! I think I found a new use for my crockpot! Thanks for sharing!
Cara says
Yum! I don’t know why I never think to do yummy make-ahead breakfasts like this. Waking up to chocolate would be fantastic!