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This delicious Slow Cooker Porridge is ridiculously easy to make and is the perfect hands-off breakfast for a busy morning.

Slow cooker porridge with berries and nuts, ready to serve.

Is there a warmer way to start the day than with a bowl of piping hot porridge?

I love a hearty, hot breakfast, and starting the day with oats is always a surefire way to more energy, staying full and sending the kids off to school with their tummies full of goodness.  

Meet my Slow Cooker Porridge (or Slow Cooker Oatmeal if you prefer).


Why you’ll love this Slow Cooker Porridge recipe

⭐️ Nutritious and filling

⭐️ Inexpensive and ready for all your favourite toppings

⭐️ Start cooking when you wake up and it’s ready in 1 hour – completely hands off cooking!


Bowl of slow cooker oatmeal topped with fruit and syrup.

Sarah’s notes

The only issue with hot porridge on a cold morning (or even a not-so-cold one!) is it involves precious time and making a slight mess of the kitchen – and these things are NOT an option for busy midweek days. 

So in order to solve this, I wanted to create a recipe using our trusty slow cookers that allowed us to avoid processed breakfasts, but was still super speedy for those rushed mornings.

This is where Slow Cooker Porridge comes into its own.

After lots of testing, I’ve come up with some foolproof hints and tips for the best technique. I hope you love this breakfast as much as we do ❤️

Slow Cooker Porridge Ingredients

The ingredients for making slow cooker porridge laid out on a white counter: milk, oats and salt.
  • Oats –  I strongly recommend using jumbo oats as these will keep more of their texture when cooked for a long period
  • Milk – I’ve tried this with cow’s milk, oat and almond milk and also just water. All of them work well. I think almond milk is my favourite in this recipe, but it’s down to personal choice
  • Salt – This is optional but it really does finish off the porridge well and adds flavour, so I recommend adding it
  • Toppings – Customise these with whatever you prefer. There are some ideas below – choose your favourite or mix and match!

Topping suggestions

➡️ Fruit – Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, raspberries, cherries, peaches, blackberries, pears, apples

➡️ Dried snacks – Dates, raisins, coconut, chia seeds, nuts

➡️ Flavouring – Cocoa powder, nutmeg, ginger, honey, cinnamon, nut butters, vanilla, maple syrup


How to make Slow Cooker Porridge

A slow cooker pan filled with oats, with milk being poured in, ready to make Slow Cooker Porridge.
  1. Mix all ingredients in the slow cooker. Put the lid on.
  2. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour.
  3. Stir well, serve and add your chosen toppings.

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully before serving or eat cold. You may need to loosen up again with a little extra liquid when reheating.

In the freezer I wouldn’t recommend freezing cooked porridge. It will go mushy and not very appetising when defrosted again.

Top Tip

How to stop your porridge becoming too smooth and slimy

If this happens, it’s probably been cooked for too long (or if you use rolled oats). 

I’d really recommend buying a timer for your slow cooker. I love this one: Tp Link Tapo Smart Plug.

You can program it from an app on your phone. Set it to switch your slow cooker on early and it’ll be perfectly timed to be ready in time for breakfast. SO GOOD!

This recipe really only needs 1 hour, so if you leave it for much longer it won’t have the best results.

More breakfast recipes with oats…

FAQs

Can You recommend a good slow cooker?

The Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker is my all-time favourite because you can use it for initial browning on the hob and it’s really light. 

I wrote up a whole slow cooker review though, where you might find another one to suit your needs. Have a read here.

Is this a gluten free recipe?

If you use gluten free oats, yes! Check your toppings too.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

4.96 from 23 votes

Slow Cooker Porridge {Easy Recipe!}

Wake up to the most delicious Slow Cooker Porridge. Ridiculously easy to make and perfect to have breakfast ready on a busy morning.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 2 People

Ingredients 

  • 80 grams (1 cups) Jumbo oats, See notes
  • 400 ml (4 cups) Milk, See notes
  • 1/2 tsp Salt, Optional

Instructions 

  • Mix all ingredients in the slow cooker. Put the lid on.
  • Cook on HIGH for 1 hour.
  • Mix well, serve and add your choice of toppings.

Notes

Salt: This is optional but it really really does finish off the porridge well and adds flavour
Oats: I strongly recommend using jumbo oats as these will keep more of their texture when cooked for a long period
Milk: I’ve tried this with cows milk, oat and almond milk and also just water. All of them work well
Time your slow cooking: I’d really recommend buying a timer for your slow cooker. I love this one: Tp Link Tapo Smart Plug. You can program it from an app on your phone
Don’t overcook: This recipe really only needs 1 hour, so if you leave it for much longer it won’t have the best results
Toppings: Choose your favourite topping or mix and match!
➡️ Fruit
Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, raspberries, cherries, peaches, blackberries, pears, apples
➡️ Dried snacks
Dates, raisins, coconut, chia seeds, nuts
➡️ Flavouring
Cocoa powder, nutmeg, ginger, honey, cinnamon, nut butters, vanilla, maple syrup
 

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 12gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 669mgPotassium: 491mgFiber: 4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 423IUCalcium: 295mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Family Food
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Sarah Rossi founder of TamingTwins.com and author of 'What's for Dinner?' books.

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Hi, I'm Sarah. I help busy people decide 'What's for Dinner?' Find hundreds of recipes here, and also in my bestselling recipe book. Hope my recipes make your life easier ❤️

4.96 from 23 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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