Dessert

Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal Recipe

ByMaya Quinn November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

Introduction

Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal is a warm, comforting breakfast that’s ready when you wake up. With tender apples, tart cranberries, and cozy spices, it’s a delicious way to start your day with minimal effort.

A white bowl filled with creamy oatmeal forms the base layer, topped with a mix of fresh fruit and cinnamon. On top of the oatmeal, there is a cluster of deep red grapes and several pieces of green apple slices arranged in the center, sprinkled with a fine dusting of brown cinnamon powder. The bowl is placed on a blue and white checkered cloth, and in the slightly blurred background, a white cup of steaming black coffee and a red apple sit on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup old-fashioned oats
2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
1 cup water
1 large apple, peeled and diced
½ cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Optional toppings: chopped nuts, more fruit, honey, or cream

Instructions

Step 1: Spray the inside of your crockpot with cooking spray or use a liner for easy cleanup. Add oats, milk, water, diced apple, dried cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine.
Step 2: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, perfect for overnight cooking.
Step 3: In the morning, stir the oatmeal well to mix all the ingredients. Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of honey.

Tips & Variations

Use a Crockpot liner to make cleanup easier, especially when oatmeal gets sticky around edges.
Don’t skip the pinch of salt; it balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
Add toppings just before serving to maintain texture and flavor.
For creamier oatmeal, use all milk instead of adding water.
Double the recipe to meal prep and enjoy leftovers during the week.
Try milk alternatives like almond, oat, or coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
Swap brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar as sweeteners.
Include add-ins like chopped nuts, raisins, or shredded coconut for extra texture.
Replace nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice or add a splash of vanilla extract for variety.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat by adding a splash of milk or water and microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring until warm. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy oatmeal topped with a mix of fruits and spices, including bright red grapes scattered across the surface, and chunks of pale green and red apple pieces in the center, sprinkled lightly with brown cinnamon powder. The oatmeal has a thick, smooth texture with few visible small lumps. The bowl sits on a blue and white cloth on a dark wooden table, with a blurred red apple and a white cup of steaming black coffee in the background, all set against a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use steel-cut oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Steel-cut oats require longer cooking time and more liquid, so they are not ideal for this crockpot recipe unless adjusted accordingly.

Is it possible to make this oatmeal on the stovetop instead?

Yes, you can simmer all ingredients on low heat, stirring frequently until oats are tender, but the slow cooker provides a hands-off, overnight convenience.