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This slow cooker oatmeal is a delicious and healthy way to meal prep your breakfast! Made without dairy or refined sugar, it’s easily customizable, like a delicious salted caramel mocha flavor!
Vegan Slow Cooker Oatmeal
When it comes to cozy breakfast ideas, I love whipping up a cinnamon roll baked oatmeal, breakfast cake, and this slow cooker oatmeal.
As someone who eats PLENTY of oatmeal, I was surprised at how long it took me to prepare batches of it in advance. Actually, let me take that back. During the warmer months, I prep overnight oats for every single day of the week. However, in the cooler months, you’d need to pay me to eat cold oatmeal. Luckily, I’ve found a genius hack to have WARM oatmeal every morning, without preparing a new bowl each morning.
While I wish I could prepare a fresh bowl of stovetop oats every day, I just don’t have the patience or time to do so. Luckily, utilizing my best friend, the slow cooker, has been a game changer. Every Sunday morning, like clockwork, I take a few minutes to prepare a big batch of slow cooker oatmeal to last me for the coming week. It takes seconds to do, and once it’s done, I simply portion it up and have it ready to go!
With the holiday season around the corner, I wanted to give it a festive twist, and, inspired by Starbucks, flavored it with one of the popular holiday beverages!
Salted Caramel Slow Cooker Oatmeal
This Healthy Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Mocha Oatmeal is the perfect comforting breakfast or food to prep which takes no effort at all. While comforting, it is actually healthy, stick-to-your-ribs-filling, and secretly good for you!
I used a base of dairy-free milk, but kept it completely sweetener free, as the salted caramel drizzle was sufficient. I also opted to add some protein to it in the form of protein powder.
Made with or without actual coffee, I’ve found that making it this way ALSO replaces any need for caffeine in the morning!
Ingredients to make slow cooker oatmeal
For the oatmeal base
- Rolled oats– Be sure to use certified gluten free rolled oats, if needed.
- Salt– Brings out the natural sweetness of the oats.
- Instant coffee– Optional, but add it if you’d like the authentic caramel mocha flavor.
- Vanilla extract– Gives a slight vanilla flavor.
- Milk of choice– Any plant based milk can be used. I use either unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened soy milk.
For the mix-ins and toppings
- Caramel sauce– A must for a caramel mocha! I drizzle some vegan caramel sauce on top and throughout. It also provides the oatmeal some sweetness, without adding any sugar or syrups!
- Protein powder– Optional, but gives a protein boost and extra staying power.
- Toppings of choice- Nuts, seeds, fruit, peanut butter, or your favorite oatmeal toppings.
How do you make healthy slow cooker oatmeal?
Simply add all your oatmeal ingredients into a slow cooker and give it a good stir. Let it cook on low for 7-8 hours. Once cooked, add in protein powder, caramel sauce, and mix-ins of choice.
Can I make this in a crockpot or instant pot?
Yes, if you’d like to make instant pot oatmeal or crockpot oatmeal, simply prepare it the same way. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Tips to make the best oatmeal
- Do not use other kinds of oats, like quick oats or steel cut oats. They would require different proportions and cooking times.
- If you’d like the oats cooked faster, you can cook on high for 2-3 hours.
- Omit the coffee if you want plain slow cooker oatmeal. Remember, you can dress it up once it is cooked!
- For even creamier oatmeal, use canned coconut milk or add non-dairy creamer to it.
- Do not add the protein powder or caramel to the slow cooker, or else it will affect the texture. Stir both through once cooked.
Storing and freezing tips
- To store: Slow cooker oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 1 week. As the oats will thicken, be sure to add extra milk, as needed.
- To freeze: Place oatmeal in a freezer friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw it completely, before adding extra milk.
- To reheat: Either in the microwave or stovetop.
More delicious oatmeal recipes to try
Instant Pot Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats gluten free, if needed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee optional * See notes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups milk of choice I used unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
For the oatmeal
- Combine all the ingredients in a large slow cooker and give it a good stir. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
For the preparation
- Drizzle desired amount of salted caramel sauce into the oatmeal and mix well. Transfer oatmeal to bowls, if desired, add a scoop of protein powder (1 serving per bowl) and add a dash more milk. Top with caramel sauce and sea salt and any other toppings and enjoy.
Can I use steel cut oats? If yes, would the ratio be different
I haven’t tried it myself, but feel free to experiment and see- I’d love to hear how it turns out!
What coffee brand do you actually use? Can’t wait to try this!
Hi Deblyn! I tend to like using nescafe blend 43 as it’s got the perfect amount of bitterness 🙂
Haha – I wonder why they called it a cowboy mocha? Do they think Aussies would be fooled into thinking its what ‘those cowboys in the wild west’ drink??!!
I’m always disappointed when I buy something that’s ‘salted caramel’ as its always lacking on the salt front… apart from salted caramel Lindt… that stuff is like gold!
That IS amazing!
This oatmeal! Hahahaha, no really, this looks super delicious and comforting! I love a warm curry stew, gooey chocolate cake and creamy sorbet! Those speak comfort to me! <3
WHOA. You’ve got me craving a warm curry stew now!
Whereas there are some caramel beverages at Starbucks Germany there is none with salted caramel as far as I know. Salted caramel is only reluctantly coming over here. And even if thery had it here I would propably only try it once and then curse over the following heartburn. But I love the taste. I like taste combinations like sweet and salty.
And I do really not mind your non-existent Starbucks fetish because I clearly don’t have one myself 😛
hahaha right? we want what we can’t have (consistently)
This looks really good with the caramel topping!
The caramel topping = amazing!
I’m with Nikki, I could down one of those Starbucks specialty drinks no problem, with whip and an extra shot of espresso. 😉
oh whip me, coffee. 😀
I would totally rather than have this than an actual salted caramel mocha. Only because I feel like it would be more acceptable to face plant into a bowl of oatmeal than a mocha…. right?
Right! Thanks Megan!
I just made maple and brown sugar slow cooker oatmeal and it is really good! I wish I had seen this first because it looks great! I think you should stick with the cowboy name though 🙂
Thanks Ellie! I saw your recipe and it looked so delicious- Thick and hearty 🙂
Believe it or not, I just got a new slow cooker…I’ve been slow cooker-less for several years now after I washed my old one and then it quit working. Imagine that. I’m pretty sure I need a HUGE pot of this oatmeal going in my kitchen all weekend. Yes, all weekend. Well done!
YESS. Although apples in the slow cooker = BOMB. Seriously, all your million apples can be put in there 😀 😉
Not a morning person, but I would set my alarm early and jump out of bed for this bowl of yum!!! Great breakfast Arman!
Thanks Allie. The caramel sauce is so versatile..I just doused my granola with it 😀
I have zero favourites at the “Bux (lol). Their syrups make my stomach turn…blech, yes, even two pumps are too sweet! This however, looks divine 🙂
Thanks so much- They can be quite sweet!
From here on out, I will now be referring to Starbucks as The ‘Bux. Thank you.
I’m not a fan of caramel, don’t judge 🙁 but I’d try this because I’ve never made a non-delicious recipe from your site.
And McDonalds as Maccas please.
OMG that looks so good! I can’t believe you made it in the slow cooker! I wasn’t actually a fan of the Starbucks salted caramel mocha, but I am all over salted caramel gelato.
Salted caramel gelato > coffee. YESSSS!
What a fantastic idea for oats. I can’t resist anything with caramel in the mix.
You and me both, Kristi! 🙂
You ARE hardcore. Extra coffee granules? Walkin’ on the wild side.
I’ve never had the salted caramel mocha at Starbucks, sounds like a sugar headache waiting to happen! I do, however, love the sound of caramel oatmeal. I refuse to eat plain oatmeal because it’s gross.
Favorite hot beverage? Grande Americano, obviously.
I want to shove my face right in this. Seriously delicious recipe right there!
And, salting pickles would be something I’d want to see. hehe 😀
hahaha I’m serious- I’d totally do that!
Yum. I love oatmeal!! I am quite interested in your caramel sauce. I must make that!
Seriously, it’s so versatile- I topped my granola with it!
I’ve actually never had that at Sbux, I always opt for the healthy unsweetened Iced green tea.
And, yes, I know I could make it at home for free. Whatever. I love it.
ALMOST as much as these oats. Oats are my LIFE, so I need this goodness! Pinned!
YESSS. Thanks buddy!
Yep, sbucks crazy sweet!!! This I have gotta try! And I am on my way for a Cowboy Mocha 🙂
🙂 Cheers!
I agree with you… Starbucks drinks are wayyyy too sweet. I always ask for mine to be half sweetened. It makes them easier to drink!
Such a good idea- I never thought of that. Will report back my (sweet tooth) findings!
Salted caramel is awesome although I don’t like it in drink form – this looks so much better plus you know I love my coconut sugar for everything 🙂
I go through so much cocout sugar, it’s so bad- I need shares in them haha!