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Overnight Oatmeal
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown Show: Good Eats Episode: Oat Cuisine Overall User Rating: 
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Brilliant!
06/23/2008 at 11:22pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This is the perfect breakfast invention for people who never have time to fix themselves breakfast in the morning. Thanks Alton Brown, you geek.
Not what I was hoping for. . .
06/22/2008 at 10:17am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This oatmeal was not good. I cooked it for about 7 hours on low. It turned out way to soupy and goupy and still got stuck like cement to the crock-pot. We like our oatmeal a bit thicker and it's hard to get that in the crock-pot without it burning. Will definately stick to the stovetop method which is way easier to clean up and the taste/texture is much better.
Not an overnight recipe!
04/13/2008 at 11:29am
User: Cindy from San Antonio, TX User Rating:
Followed the recommended quantities exactly. Woke up 3 hours into the night after the slow cooker had been on the same amount of time (on LOW). Oatmeal was burning. Imagine if I had waited the additional 5 hours that are suggested. My husband and I spent Sunday morning scrubbing instead of having breakfast. I would suggest more liquid, but how much is enough for 8 hours!
Yummy!
03/04/2008 at 08:36am
User: AMY from Hammond, IN User Rating:
This came out so creamy and deliscious! Will defintely make again. Nothing beats waking up to a hot breakfast.
unsuccessfull
03/03/2008 at 11:51pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Each time I tried this recipe the fruit burned and gave a horrible taste to the oatmeal.
Perfect Way to Start the Day
02/14/2008 at 04:50pm
User: Andrew from Germantown, MD User Rating:
Creamy, hearty and so much more flavorful and satisfying than the instant stuff! I'm hooked! I used just 1 cup of dried currants, along with some cinnamon and nutmeg, and it's divine. I also have a slow cooker that burned some of the oatmeal on my first attempt. In the spirit of Mr. Brown, here was my solution: a piece of foil slightly crumpled in the bottom of the slow cooker, than one of those slow cooker liners on top of that. The foil adds just enough insulation to stop any serious burning. It still sticks a bit, but this helps alleviate the problem a lot. And cleanup is much easier, too.
Best for blood sugar, great taste
02/09/2008 at 10:14pm
User: Lyal from Salem, OR User Rating:
We use milk instead of Half and Half to reduce calories and fat. Oats are a nice creamy consistency, and if you are health conscious, steel cut oats raise blood sugar slower than other semi prepared types. Thanks Alton for making us aware of this..
Great but agree with everyone else!
01/27/2008 at 08:48am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
After 3-4 hours, the oatmeal was fabulous. After 5-6, it became gluey, and I didn't wait to see what would happen if I left it in for 8 hours. When I want to have something richer, I followed someone else's suggestion - subsituting milk for the water. I also did not add the dried fruit while cooking but added it as a condiment (loved it with dried cherries and walnuts).
Make it almost every night
01/19/2008 at 08:17pm
User: Lisa from Chapel Hill, NC User Rating:
I've tried this overnight oatmeal many times before I finally got it right. I agree with other reviewers that you don't want to put the fruit in until the end...9 hours is just too long for the fruit to be stewing in the oatmeal. I've found that mostly I just make it with steel cut oats and water (occasionally I add milk or half and half, but mostly I don't). I don't even measure the water - I just fill the crockpot until it is about 2/3 full of water and oatmeal. I've found that if you have too much water (which after 9-11 hours, I rarely do), you just strain it off and it's fine. It's much worse if you end up with too little water, because then it starts to harden around the top and stick to the crockpot itself. Once the oatmeal is done we add dried cranberries or raisins and a little cinnamon. It's delicious and my 2 year old and 4 year old typically eat more than one bowl of it each morning, they like it that much.
Alton does it again!
01/18/2008 at 11:26pm
User: Roy from Milford, MA User Rating:
Superb oatmeal! The taste and texture are perfect! I make this all the time now, forgoing the instant I was eating. It's a great, easy, delicious way to have a hot and healthy breakfast. I've passed this recipe along to others and all have loved it.
Micro-computerized Rice Cooker > Crock Pot
01/16/2008 at 12:04am
User: David from Pittsburgh, PA User Rating:
Most of the poor reviews seem to be from burning/overcooking the oatmeal. I tried this recipe with my fancy Japanese Rice cooker (a Sanyo 5.5 cup ECJ-HC55S) on the porridge setting. The rice cooker is smart enough to figure out when it is done cooking and then keeps it warm for up to 24 hours with no chance of burning. Anyways, while it wasn't cheap, I've been extremely happy with my Rice cooker. It makes excellent rice (especially healthier brown varieties that I've had trouble cooking in the past), polenta, and (as I've just discovered) oatmeal. So it is definitely a multi-tasker. I'd highly recommend picking one up if you're in the mood/have the budget for a new kitchen gadget.
Great
01/08/2008 at 02:29am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
doubled all ingredients, gave the dried fruit a pass, and it turned out perfect.
Not sure what went wrong...
01/07/2008 at 01:46am
User: Erin from Waynesville, OH User Rating:
I put this in the crock pot at 9:00pm, at 1:00am I awoke to a burning smell. I went to the kitchen, and the oats had burned all around the outside, black as charcoal, and the oats were brown and the dried fruit was soggy. ( I had omitted the figs...not sure what would have happened had I used them.) They tasted done in the middle, so I am not sure what would've happened had I left them for the additional hours.
Watery soup for me
01/04/2008 at 09:46pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I tried this recipe (substituting dried blueberries for figs) in a Versaware crockpot and it turned out terribly. It was watery, a yucky color, and had a very off flavor. I will try some of the suggestions offered in the other reviews and am hoping for a success - I am envious of all of you that had yummy oatmeal in the morning! I am determined to make this work, and am going to start by buying a new crockpot.
Couldn't eat it
01/04/2008 at 03:05pm
User: Jacqueline from Colorado Springs, CO User Rating:
I love steel cut oats and I tried this recipe to save time, but frankly it was awful. I guess I'm a purist, I just boil 4 cups of water before I go to bed, pour in 1 C of SC oats and let them soak overnight. In the morning I put them in individual serving tupperware and I have breakfast for a week. I just mix it up with different fruit (bluberries are my favorite) and I always add a few nuts for protein. I Microwave it before I eat it to cook, about 3 min. Very good that way. Oh, and I buy my oats by the pound at Wild Oats. The store bought ones aren't nearly as good.
So disappointed!
01/02/2008 at 10:38am
User: Kristin from Merrillville, IN User Rating:
This is the first time I've ever made an AB recipe and been totally disappointed. I bought all of the not-so-cheap ingredients and decided to make this on the coldest night of the year. I was so excited to have a hot breakfast on this snowy morning. I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to check on it and it was perfect: creamy and al dente. I thought it was weird that it was done so early but I went back to bed. In the morning it had completely burned the inside of my pot and it was a soupy, burned, brown mess.
Creamiest oatmeal ever!!!
12/31/2007 at 03:03pm
User: DEB from Crestwood, KY User Rating:
This recipe is so simple and turns out the most wonderful - and incredibly healthy - breakfast for cold mornings. I'd never heard of steel cut oats before I saw AB prepare them and now that my family has tasted them, they won't touch the instant rolled oats. I leave out the dried fruit since each one here likes their oatmeal a little different, but the creamy texture and wonderful nutty flavor are unbeatable! P.S. We like the Irish oats best and even though they are a bit expensive, they are worth every cent!
Very Good and Convenient
12/29/2007 at 03:02pm
User: eileen from gaithersburg, MD User Rating:
This is a simply delicious recipe. I noticed some reviewers said their slow cookers burnt. What I noticed after 4 hours of slow cooking was the oatmeal was ready and perfect consistency. Also, I used 2 cups of oatmeal, 8 c water 1/2 dried cranberries and 1/2 c dried mixed fruit, and 1 c heavy cream. Wonderful! The key is 4 hours of slow cooking is ample. The reviewer had it right, when she set the slow cooker at 2am and it was ready at 6am.
Figgy figgy oatmeal
12/29/2007 at 02:38pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I used a 6-qt slow cooker with a slow cooker liner; nothing burned, and the texture came out well. I have to say, though, the figs were overpowering. I generally like figs, but I thought they added sort of a sickly sweetness that I didn't like. I might try it again without the dried fruit, but I have to say I'm not exactly on fire to do it.
Great, with alterations
12/27/2007 at 04:26pm
User: KC from Reno, NV User Rating:
We love this recipe with alterations. First, the dried fruit comes out gross when put in the night before. A terrible brown color and just tastes bad. So we omitted it. We also substituted the half and half with heavy cream, and it comes out divine! The next morning is when we add the fruit or whatever toppings we want!
I really wanted this to work, but....
12/26/2007 at 03:14pm
User: Amy from Irving, TX User Rating:
I've made steel cut oats before on stovetop (takes 45 minutes out of my morning). I was looking forward to having the slowcooker do my work for me overnight and waking up to a nice, hot bowl of oats. Unfortunately, the oatmeal scorched the sides of my crock pot (never had that happen before). The oatmeal itself was a gross, dark shade of brown (quite unappetizing). And it did not taste great (figs cooked too long???). Sadly, I'll stick to the stovetop kind for now.
A+
12/20/2007 at 04:49pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This recipe was excellent, I used quick oats and cooked it "stove top"... YUM!
Burned It
11/21/2007 at 05:34pm
User: Yvette from Santa Clara, CA User Rating:
I so much wanted this to work, but it didn't. It completely burnt the inside of my crock pot and I had to let it soak it forever, so I could clean it. I used the dried fruit and it was way too much and overpowered the oatmeal as well.
Versatile!
10/28/2007 at 07:15pm
User: Shannon from Medical Lake, WA User Rating:
I've used apple juice instead of water and added a little cinnamon. I've used orange juice and cranberries. Cooking good oats takes time --- something I just have in the morning. This is a fantastic recipe for a heathly, hearty breakfast.
I guess I did something wrong!
10/20/2007 at 12:14pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I guess that I did something wrong! After 8 hours of cooking, I found the cereal very watery. I don't know what happened but it was too liquid. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong? What are the proportions of oats to liquid supposed to be? This recipe calls for 1 cup of oats and 4 cups water and 1/2 cup of half and half.
Oatmeal lover, but...
10/10/2007 at 04:35pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I found this to be a little too fruity. It also burned on the bottom of the crockpot. Maybe if I had used half-and-half instead of skim milk I would have gotten better results. Sorry, I'm not a big fan of this recipe.
Burnt Mess
10/04/2007 at 06:43pm
User: Jennifer from Columbus, OH User Rating:
I was so excited in the morning when I got up after putting on this recipe the night before. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The whole thing was burnt! It smelled horrible. The ingredients aren't the cheapest in the world so I won't try it again.
Thanks to the other reviews...
10/02/2007 at 02:32pm
User: Elizabeth from merced, CA User Rating:
...I had delicious oatmeal in the morning! I was weary about going to sleep because I read the warnings about burned oatmeal, but I thought I should try it and see. About four hours later, I woke up because I kept thinking about the oatmeal. So I went to check it and it was perfectly done. I put the slow cooker on "keep warm" and ate it a few hours later. Yum!
Good fast breakfast!
08/22/2007 at 11:35am
User: STACEY from Middletown, OH User Rating:
I left out the figs and used about half the amount of cranberries. It worked great in my crockpot, had a good consistency, and had just the right amount of sweetness from the cranberries. It was great having breakfast all ready for us in the morning!
Tasty, easy, and fabulous
08/21/2007 at 05:58pm
User: Lynn from Salem, IL User Rating:
This recipe is wonderful. I love setting the crock pot the night before and waking up to the smell and homemade taste. Just one word of warning. Don't cut the recipe. If you try to cook smaller amounts like this, the oatmeal will burn before you wake up. Not so good eats when that happens. Stick to the recipe as written.
ingenious
08/14/2007 at 02:20am
User: Alicia from Sammamish, WA User Rating:
awsome
awful
07/18/2007 at 06:29pm
User: Angela from Colorado Springs, CO User Rating:
this turned out like mush. it was nasty.
DOH!
07/06/2007 at 09:31pm
User: Eric from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA User Rating:
My first Alton recipe debacle! I think something went awry with the heat control on my slow cooker. I followed the recipe but I ended up with a blackend mess...not good eats!
Easy Oats
07/04/2007 at 09:53pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This recipe couldn't be any easier and yields a fantastic result. If you're a fan of sweet oatmeal, this is for you. If not, you may want to decrease the amount of dried fruit or use an unsweetened dried fruit product. (They are hard to find, but they do exist!) Also, some slow cookers are more powerful than others so take that into consideration when estimating the cook time. Enjoy!
Good Morning Oatmeal
05/20/2007 at 11:54pm
User: Melissa from Fairfield, OH User Rating:
A very good, very simple recipe. We use it almost daily.
Good
04/16/2007 at 05:24pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
The oatmeal came out rich and creamy. However, after reading all the reviews I tested this recipe during the day in my crockpot. It was done after about 4 hours on low. If I would have left it overnight it would have been a huge mess. I have a Rival Crockpot that's only about 1 year old. I wouldn't leave this overnight unless the recipe is doubled. But, I would test during the day first.
So sad
03/30/2007 at 10:33am
User: Susan from Rogue River, OR User Rating:
This recipe sounded good, but Alton, much as I love you and your show, this was a goopy icky brown mess. Sorry kid, I gave it the old college try, but no bueno.
A small crockpot makes a better batch
03/24/2007 at 12:22pm
User: Ted from Sunnyvale, CA User Rating:
I've been disappointed with this recipe in the past. I used a big crock pot and it dried out. I modified it by using a timer to cook the oatmeal for shorter times. I just cooked it in a small crockpot (6 cups) and it was perfect. I accidentally bought apricots instead of figs and it was even better. The apricots and cherries are really nice together.
NOT a pleasant experience
03/18/2007 at 09:15am
User: Marie from South Easton, MA User Rating:
I followed the basic recipe and cut back on some of the fruit. The oats were ok other than burned on one half of the pot...and it was way too sweet. One long overnight storage bag full of oaty goo on top of the trash later, and I'll try the stove top version next.
couldn't be easier or tastier
03/13/2007 at 10:53am
User: Bonnie from Houston, TX User Rating:
I was excited to try this after watching the show, but have to admit that I was concerned after reading the reviews about burning. But, at $0.99/lb for bulk steel cut oats, there wasn't too much at stake. I have a 5-qt oblong slow cooker and it cooked perfectly. I substituted different fruits (used golden raisin & chopped dates this morning) and it was so easy and wonderful to have perfectly cooked oatmeal ready and waiting when you wake up. Can't beat that!
the crockpot makes all the difference
03/05/2007 at 07:55am
User: MICHELE from Grand Rapids, MI User Rating:
My crockpot is a super-pricy stainless steel model and I put it on low for 8 hours. It was much too watery for my taste. I'm a huge fan of oatmeal and I usually make it in the microwave and top it with fruit afterward. I like the fruit not bloated and mushy, like it gets in a crockpot for an extended time. The mix of textures makes it more interesting in the mouth. I'd try this again, but cut the liquid by at least a cup, add the fruit at the end, and top with some maple syrup and chopped nuts.
leftover hint
02/26/2007 at 10:22pm
User: Jennifer from Yardley, PA User Rating:
My great aunt used to put leftover oatmeal in a loaf pan, refrigerate it, then slice it and cook and serve like french toast. Delish! Of course, it needs to be fairly thick oatmeal. Sliced bananas are good, too, on top, or sauteed apples. I use cider instead of butter after the apples start to cook to moisten them and keep the fat down.
Overnite Crockpot Oatmeal
02/25/2007 at 02:28pm
User: Cherie from Clinton Township, MI User Rating:
With so little 'extra time' in the morning for a good hot breakfast, this recipe provides just that for the entire family! I omitted the dried fruit, added 1/4 tsp of fresh ground cinnamon and it's a big hit! When done, top with a bit of brown sugar. Served with OJ and my family is off to face the day. Don't forget to either lightly spray the inside of the pot or line with a crockpot liner for an easy clean up. Leftovers? No problem. transfer to covered storage container and refrigerate.
steel cut oats always rock!!
02/24/2007 at 03:39pm
User: Darcy from Grand Rapids, MI User Rating:
I have made this oatmeal (as written and with variations) MANY times. My step son LOVES steel cut oats for the chewy nutty texture, but doesn't like regular oatmeal. Our new thing is to make it after breakfast and then we all have a steamy hot bowl while we read stories before bed. He asks for "Alton's Oatmeal" everytime he is over!!
yummy
02/19/2007 at 10:49am
User: DAWN from Knoxville, TN User Rating:
I did this in a large crock pot that had a warm setting. Followed the recipe omiting the dried friut. Turn out great. The kids love it. Have done this a couple of times a week.
crowd pleaser
02/07/2007 at 08:52pm
User: Kristen from Florence, OR User Rating:
I love this recipe! Alton has done it again- its so easy when you have overnight guests, they can all add their own toppings! I make this usually once a month!
Different, but Excellent
02/05/2007 at 09:04pm
User: Janet from Selma, NC User Rating:
In checking out "oats" on the Food Network website, I found this recipe, quite by chance, by Alton Brown. I love oatmeal and have eaten it most of my life (especially during my younger years in New York winters), but this is the best I've ever had. Being able to put it in my slow cooker on Sun. evening and have it ready to eat when I got up on Mon. at 4:15 AM, was the best part. I had about 1/4th of it this AM, then put the other portions in containers for the next 3 mornings, so I can nuke it, add some milk and have this delicious food before heading off to work each day - sure beats succumbing to a sausage biscuit or two, because I'm starved, by the time I get to work every day. This is much healthier for me. My mixture cooked for almost 9 hours, and was just about to be dried out, so I turned it off just in time so as not to burn. I mention this because of burning comments in previous posts. This 1st time I used dried cranberries and dates, which was great, but I think next time I'll try dates (fresh Medjool ones) and chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts, and cook it for only 8 hours. I don't think it needs any more sweeteners. Thanks Alton - love your show.
Best oatmeal ever
02/01/2007 at 12:24pm
User: Marcia from Mattapoisett, MA User Rating:
I substituted dates for the figs but otherwise followed the recipe exactly and my oatmeal was perfect. The fruit stayed solid and didn't change the color of the oatmeal. I didn't have to add any sugar because it was just sweet enough and the texture was excellent - not "mushy", but not overly chewey, either. I used a small (4-quart?), older model Rival crockpot with only 2 settings and had no problem with the oatmeal sticking to the sides or burning. (mine is taller and narrower than the more recent models). Now I'll have to experiment with other dried fruit combinations. One more thing- I started with ice-cold water and lightly sprayed the crockpot with Pam, so maybe that's why mine didn't burn.
Pretty great oatmeal!
01/29/2007 at 04:40pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
haven't had the ... courage to go for the figs but subbing dried apples for the figs and dried cranberies worked WONDERMOUSLY. Yumm.
messy clean up
01/27/2007 at 02:47pm
User: Ronda from orange, CA User Rating:
Did not work well in my crock pot took oven cleaned to get the burnt oats off !
Have dessert for breakfast
01/24/2007 at 05:30pm
User: RUTH from Seattle, WA User Rating:
This is VERY sweet so my only criticism is that next time I would cut down on the fruit or be careful to use some naturally processed dried fruit. Otherwise delicious. I like it with buttermilk.
I don't give a fig
01/17/2007 at 11:23am
User: di from detroit, MI User Rating:
This recipe really worked-I was surprised. I followed recipe the first time-to me the figs were just not right. Second time used a mix of dried berries-cranberries and blueberries was very good. Thanks for the tip-eating at 0430 takes all the help we can get.
Will do this again
01/09/2007 at 08:09am
User: Mark from Shelby Township, MI User Rating:
Wonderful to wake up to a delicious, hot breakfast on a winter day! Tasty!
DEEE-Licious and Easy
01/04/2007 at 06:43pm
User: Joe from San Antonio, TX User Rating:
Got a weekly breakfast meeting at church -- men's bible study -- I set my slow cooker the night before and take the whole thing to church at 05:30 and they all love it!!!
This.was.awesome.
01/02/2007 at 11:09pm
User: Whitney from Cleveland Hts, OH User Rating:
My husband and I tried this overnight and it was heavenly. We have one of the smaller rival crockpots and it did not burn--we also use just one cup of dried cherries as the fruit. I'm now a big fan of steel-cut oatmeal and if you make the whole recipe it is just as good reheated for the next few days. Put another little shot of half and half on there and you have the best breakfast ever.
Exception to most of Alton's recipes
12/27/2006 at 04:24pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Two words. Colon blow. 5-star rating if that is the desired effect.
Save the fruit
12/10/2006 at 05:32pm
User: Lisa from Afton, VA User Rating:
The reviews from my family were unanimous -- the fruit shouldn't go in until morning. We used dried blueberries, cherries & raisins. Otherwise, it gets bloated with liquid & unrecognizable. But other than that -- the recipe was great. Best oatmeal I've had -- I can't stand the instant stuff - -once again, AB was right!
Alton, how could you fail me?
11/20/2006 at 02:30pm
User: SUSAN from Catonsville, MD User Rating:
Alton, I am one of your biggest fans but this oatmeal was a mess! Totally burned and smelled up my kitchen. I'll stick with the microwavable kind with some milk and dried fruit. It is just oatmeal, after all.
Don't use dried bananas!!!
11/12/2006 at 01:32am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I had guests from out of town and thought this would be a great idea for breakfast. I thought dried bananas would be perfect but they were HORRIBLE....awful taste and very strange texture. Almost tasted like a potato. The oatmeal itself was good but I would definitely not recommended using dried bananas.
Yummy, I use less water
11/03/2006 at 11:36pm
User: Peggi from Jacksonville, FL User Rating:
I have a 2 quart crockpot that I'd never used till I saw Alton make this oatmeal. In went my ingredients - next morning - mushy mushy gooey gloppy stuff. Next time I used 1 cup less water. I don'tuse as much fruit as the recipe calls for - i don't want that much fruit in the oatmeal. So 1 cup of dried fruit - 1 cup oats - 3 cups water and 1/2 cup cream = yummy goodness in the AM - I stir in coconut oil (very very good for you) and eat as is, no sugar. I've used pinapple and mango and coconunt for a tropical oatmeal...I can't really recommend that! My fav so far - cherries and cranberries.
Too thin
10/30/2006 at 09:34am
User: Candace from Marshall, IL User Rating:
I used dried cherry-flavored cranberries and dried blueberries. Loved the flavor, but the oatmeal seemed too thin for our liking. I prefer a thicker oatmeal, so I'll try it again with more oats (I used old-fashioned - maybe steel-cut would make a difference).
the best ever
10/04/2006 at 09:27pm
User: Kim from gloucester, VA User Rating:
I modify this a little and make the best oatmeal. I use the personal sized crock pot and a timer for lights. I use 1/2 cup of oats, 2 cups water and a handful of dried fruit. A tablespoon or so of butter on top. Spray the crock with Pam and set the timer for 4 hours. My timer starts at 2 and cuts off at 6 so we can enjoy good eats for breakfast. I make it virtually every moring. Dried cherries and blueberries are great here.
Outstanding
10/04/2006 at 09:05pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Easy and tasty. I like a bit to eat in the morning, but I normally don't have time. Now I do, thanks to this very healthy porridge.
Not even godd wallpaper paste
09/16/2006 at 10:10am
User: Constance from Pensacola, FL User Rating:
Too much liquid and the result was an inedible soupy mess with bland taste. May try again and reduce the water to 3 cups but this needs some brown sugar or cinnamon
Fantastic, and so easy
09/15/2006 at 06:32pm
User: MELISSA from Anywhere, NY User Rating:
I made the recipe in spite of the reviews, and I'm glad I did. I used a smaller crockpot (I have a large one I use for roasts, etc.), and instead of figs, I added dates, raisins and dried cranberries. Next time I make it, I plan to just add cinnamon and diced apple - the raisins blew up to be grapes, which was fine but not quite as tasty as the dried variety. I would rather add the dried fruits along with some chopped nuts and coconut flakes to the top when served. Absolutely delicious!
Easy and Yummy
09/14/2006 at 12:34am
User: Lisa from Tucson, AZ User Rating:
This recipe is so easy to do,,,and amazing to wake up too. The only thing I wasn't prepared for was the color of the oatmeal,,,that part is NOT appealing. Howere it is REALLY good. Our first try at this we used dried cranberries and cherries,,the second time was dried blueberries and strawberries,,,so far all the combinations have been amazing. One thing to note, we did try to half the recipe as the full recipe makes quite a bit for just two people and the half recipe was a little burnt at the edges in the morning, I suppose if you had a small croackpot it wouldn't be a problem, but we just make full batches now and refrigerate and add a little milk in the morning and reheat and it is just as good. Well I am off to make a batch using dried peaches,,,,mmmmmmmmm
Fabulous idea!
09/10/2006 at 08:43pm
User: Kristine from Woodinville, WA User Rating:
My husband loves oatmeal, but since we're not morning people it's always been the 'instant' variety. This is so much easier, better, and our overnight guests loved it. I just wish there had been a version without the dried fruit, as the rest of my family doesn't want the fruit added. To compensate I've been reducing the liquid and adding a little cinnamon, cloves and a dollop of honey. Definitely a good recipe, and one I'll continue to use. Would have been heavenly to have this recipe when I was pregnant and suffering from morning sickness!
Delicious & nutritious
09/05/2006 at 08:19pm
User: David from Baltimore, MD User Rating:
We have a mini crockpot (less than $10 at a drug store) and have modified the recipe as follows: 1/3 cup steel cut oats, 2/3 cup dried fruit (half dried cranberries), 1.5 cups skim milk. Serves 2. Fantastic way to start the day!
YUMMY!
09/04/2006 at 10:22pm
User: Mary Ann from Modesto, CA User Rating:
This is sooo simple and so yummy. It will keep you full till Lunch. I added fruit preserves to my bowl just before eating. You did it again Alton! My kids love to watch your programs. We tivo all of them!
So handy
09/03/2006 at 04:51pm
User: Michael from Springfield, MO User Rating:
This recipe is perfect for a good, morning meal first thing without all the fuss of preparation when I'm already hungry!
Too sweet
09/03/2006 at 01:45pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Nice idea, but way too sweet. Will try again with less fruit (maybe 1/4 of what it calls for)
Very good
09/03/2006 at 09:42am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
This recipe makes terriffic oatmeal but to us it was not quite as good as cooking it on the stovetop. We actually have a huge crock pot with a fully adjustable temperature range (not jut low-med-high) and the first time we made it it was actually too low and didn't get done overnight -- who knows!?
Great way to start your day
08/17/2006 at 03:20pm
User: THOMAS from Alpharetta, GA User Rating:
I've made this recipe several times. I just set my crock pot on low, and went to bed. I awoke the next morning with breakfast! From reading all of the reviews, it appears one must know their crock pot. I've dried many different fruits. My favorite is 1 cup of dried cranberries and 1 cup of dried blueberries. The color is a little odd, but the taste is great.
I normally hate (bl)Oatmeal
08/10/2006 at 05:23pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I thought it was great. I normally can't stand the instant stuff. I never knew what real oatmeal was like. I didn't use cranberries because I am allergic to them. I used a cup of prunes but, I would cut back to about half a cup next time. Very easy. AB's Steal Cut Oatmeal recipe is better but, this is easier.
Don't oversleep!!
07/21/2006 at 10:28am
User: Donna from Los Gatos, CA User Rating:
I think this recipe rates higher than the 3 stars I gave it. We all slept in the morning that were ate it, so it was overcooked and mushy. It still tasted good, though. Next time I'll be sure to make it on a day when I know I'll be up early enough to get to it in time.
Tasty and Inexpensive
05/30/2006 at 08:51pm
User: KIMBERLY from Paducah, KY User Rating:
I made this for a business meeting on a cold winter's day and it wasn't bad. My only complaint is that is was a bit overcooked - I really prefer the nutty consistency you get when Irish oatmeal is cooked on the stove. You may want to cut the time by a couple hours to keep it from getting mushy.
5 Stars on Ease Alone!
05/02/2006 at 11:00am
User: Weimo from Dallas, TX User Rating:
This is too simple! No babysitting! Plus, Cool thing is your eating the oatmeal that is best for you. The recipe makes plenty for one for a week. Just nuke a cup for the next few mornings for a couple minutes and mix in a shot of milk and your good to go. Does it burn? Not really...but the sugars in the fruit will make it 'burn' a bit to the sides of the crock...not a big deal. That's cooking. I think I'll add the fruit later in the game next time to avoid that situation. Also...I love figs, but 8 hours in a warm crock and all there flavors get put in the oatmeal...which is good, but, the figs are left empty on flavor themselves ...I'll definely skip those on the next slow cook. Finally...Is this the best breakfast you'll ever eat? Of course not! It's "as plain as oatmeal" for God's sake. But! Your heart will thank you for it and will let you enjoy a few more YEARS of breakfasts because of it. Plus, I figure 6 bowls of good oatmeal a week makes way for "Bacon Saturdays"!
OK, but needs improvement for me
04/30/2006 at 12:02pm
User: kara from Omaha, NE User Rating:
The consistancy of the oatmeal was great and it is very convenient, however with the figs (at least the ones I used) overpowered the cranberries and I didn't like the flavor. And it is higher in calories. My improvements, remove the figs and add 1/2 C more cranberries, change the 1/2 and half to soymilk and dropped the water a 1/2 cup (personal preference:thicker)
Great overnight oatmeal in your crock pot
04/13/2006 at 08:40am
User: BETH from Vinemont, AL User Rating:
We cook this once a week and eat on it for several days. Keep unused portions covered in the refrigerator.
Great Idea
03/29/2006 at 11:20pm
User: Kirk from Sacramento, CA User Rating:
Something Healthy and Good eats
Great oatmeal!
03/28/2006 at 03:55pm
User: deborah from hamden, CT User Rating:
what a stress free way to cook traditional steel cut oats. i liked AB's version, as well as one my mom made as i grew up. make the oatmeal without the dried fruit. at the end, add almond extract and sugar to taste. it's the best amaretto oatmeal that everyone will love!
Smaller pot + no fruit = no burn
03/10/2006 at 03:08am
User: Cassandra from Bakersfield, CA User Rating:
I had tried this a while ago with the largest Rival Smartpot and got a burnt nasty mess. I recently purchased a new, smaller (4.5 qt) oval crock pot and have received very pleasing results. First of all, I learned from the crock pot manual and from a crock pot cook book that to prevent burning the pot should be at least half full, which it was not with my larger pot. Also, I found after having a few burnt batches with the new one that removing the fruit, which in effect removes sugar, and sugar burns, prevents all of the burning problems and results in a delicious and nutritious breakfast. If you remove the fruit you also need about a half cup less of water and you can always add the fruit in your bowl. It was worth all the trouble as I now have something good to eat every morning as soon as I wake up, plus my 2 year old thinks it's great. No more Frosted Flakes in my house!
FABULOUS (but leave out the fruit)
02/26/2006 at 06:42pm
User: Rose-Marie from Newbury Park, CA User Rating:
I read the other reviews and I suspect that the problem (ie burning) some folks experienced was a crock pot problem, and not a recipe problem. I set my crock pot to "1" (5 being the highest). It was creamy and delicious and my family loves it. THIS is what REAL oatmeal should taste like, not that repulsive quick cooking stuff that is done in minutes. I do recommend making it plain and leaving out the fruit. To all those who had burn issues - don't give up! Set on your lowest setting or get a new crock pot. This recipe is a winner.
Not for my breakfast
02/22/2006 at 08:20am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Easy to make, yes. Nice to have a hot breakfast when you get up and limited time. The flavor, however, was like medicine...yuck!
Great when using a small crock pot!
02/22/2006 at 08:01am
User: Tricia from Ft Worth, TX User Rating:
I first tried this with my regular crock pot and it burned. (Not fun to wake up to.)So my husband went out and brought me home a 3qt pot and it turned out perfect. With a husband that leaves very early for work in the morning and five kids to get ready for school this is quite the time saver and they all really like it.
Fabulous and easy
02/17/2006 at 11:01am
User: LAUREN from Wilmington, MA User Rating:
I used a smaller size crockpot, 3 qts (as several people reccomended) and had fabulous results. I also substituted raisins and dates, since that's what I had in my pantry, cut them down to 1/2 cup each and used fat free half and half, to lighten the recipe. It came out awesome! Much better than cooking steel cut oats on the stove. From now on I'll use the crockpot every time and just mix up the fillings.
Overnight Oatmeal
02/16/2006 at 12:04pm
User: Kim from Spring, TX User Rating:
We didn't put any fruits and we used whipping cream instead of 1/2 and 1/2 and the texture turned out great. Of course we needed to some flavoring so we added cinnamon and sugar and it was perfect.
Overnight Oatmeal
02/14/2006 at 03:43pm
User: Diane from San Jose, CA User Rating:
I made this per instructions and in the morning it was way overcooked and brown and not good. Maybe my slow cooker is too hot but I set it on 10 hours and it still came out bad.
Great for busy moms!
02/05/2006 at 07:11pm
User: Vanessa from Conyers, GA User Rating:
Healthy and filling for little bellies before school. I use a variety of different dried fruits and add a little cinnamon and/or nutmeg.
yum ooooo
02/04/2006 at 04:48pm
User: Rebecca from Payson, UT User Rating:
This recipe was so fast and easy. The next morning I mixed in some frozen berries and a little sugar and it was to die for.
Just OK
02/04/2006 at 01:01pm
User: Dena from ST PETERS, MO User Rating:
I tried this and won't make it again. I prefer Alton's other (stovetop) recipe for oats.
just a suggestion-I love oatmeal but not sweet,- butter and black pepper for me
02/02/2006 at 11:10am
User: KATHY from LYNCHBURG, VA User Rating:
Are y'all using steel cut oatmeal or the regular stuff? Plain old "cook in an instant or 5 min." oatmeal might be why it burns...Irish oatmeal or Scottish oatmeal with a chewier consistency might work better.
Pretty good, but overcooked....
01/28/2006 at 11:25am
User: Marian from Kerrville, TX User Rating:
We love oatmeal (hearty, thick-rolled, like Old Wessex or Bob's Red Mill) in our household, and were anxious to try Alton's overnight steel cut version. Didn't have any of the "burnt" difficulties described by others -- we used a very large Rival Crockpot. I thought ahead to spray the interior of the crock with Pam, and this worked excellently. Unfortunatel, we thought that the end result was lacking texture. Perhaps the 8-hour cooking time was a bit much. Flavor was good, and will try it again, but will cut cooking time down until we get something other than mush. We tried it with chopped dates, which we like better than raisins. They came out too mushy, too, so would recommend adding them when the oatmeal is served, rather than cooking them with the oatmeal. Will definitely keep trying this recipe, as it has potential and is very easy. As for the burning others are experiencing, my opinion is that it's not the recipe -- it's the crockpot.
A little burned
01/25/2006 at 01:03pm
User: Christine from Hutto, TX User Rating:
I followed directions to the "t", but in the morning, the oatmeal was a little burned around the edges of the crockpot. Flavor was ok.
Convenient and delicious
01/23/2006 at 05:27pm
User: Levi from Nashville, TN User Rating:
Although it wasn't as sweet as I anticipated, it was still hot and hearty which was great since it just has to be poured into a bowl in the morning.
Recipe Too Dependent on Crock Pot
01/17/2006 at 03:13pm
User: Rosemary from San Francisco, CA User Rating:
I bought a 1.5qt Rival Crock Pot just to make this oatmeal but it was burned AND soupy the next morning. This crock pot does not have any settings--just on or off. Only the larger crock pots seem to have any settings but I am only cooking this for 2 people. It is too bad beacuse I love real old fashioned oatmeal. I tried it again in my "fuzzy logic" rice cooker (which is now no loger a uni-tasker). I think I will stick with the rice cooker.
Yum!
01/17/2006 at 11:44am
User: MeLissa from Hayward, CA User Rating:
We made this for breakfast this morning and it turned out really good. As a person who, in general, detests oatmeal (when I was little I dumped more than one bowl on the floor to my mother's chagrin), I think I've finally found a way to eat it. My only "issue" is that the fruit combination we chose - blueberries and tart cherries, was just a bit too sweet. Next time, I think I'll use unsweetened tart cherries to bring the sugar level down just a bit. But it is really good!
Yummy healthy eats
01/15/2006 at 11:46am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Great! I used large oval Rival crockpot on low for 4 hours and this worked perfect. We just plugged it into a timer and had hot breakfast waiting when we got up. Even my husband loved it. Can't wait to try this with other dried fruit.
overnight oatmeal
01/13/2006 at 07:25pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
great idea creamy easy sweet needs no sugar or cream cant be any easier--easily reduced if you dont need as much
Easy & Tasty
01/09/2006 at 08:40pm
User: Randy from Silverdale, WA User Rating:
There are two great qualities here, easy & tasty (if you like oatmeal that is. We do.) Throw everything in the pot at night & eat in the morning. The hardest part is finding steel cut oats. Thanks again, AB!
MAAAAAVELOUS
01/05/2006 at 10:27pm
User: CAROL from COLORADO SPRINGS, CO User Rating:
NEVER IN MY 51 YEARS HAVE I BEEN ABLE TO GAG DOWN A SPOONFULL OF OATMEAL UNTIL I TRIED THIS. I PREFER IT OVERNIGHT WITHOUT DRIED FRUIT, JUST FRESH BANANAS AND BROWN SUGAR.
Quick & Easy
12/31/2005 at 07:26am
User: Anthony from Clermont, NJ User Rating:
I agree that you need to use a smaller crockpot. I purchased a 2-1/2 qt. slow cooker and it worked fine. I would suggest spraying the inside of the crock lightly with cooking spray to help prevent sticking. I even tried making this without any 1/2 & 1/2 or fruit and it was very good. I just reduced the oats to 3/4 of a cup. Enjoy!
Size DOES count
12/20/2005 at 06:37pm
User: Deirdre from Blacksburg, VA User Rating:
I noticed a lot of people saying that this recipe burns. I think the recipe is wonderful, and have never had it burn. When I make it, I make it in a smaller crockpot--NOT my Rival Smartpot. The quantities are simply too small to make this in such a large crockpot. If you make this in a large crockpot, it _will_ burn. Just a tip.
Yum Yum
11/11/2005 at 08:49pm
User: Sandi from Cleveland, OH User Rating:
Made the recipe and substituted dried blueberries. How divine!
Other User Problems
11/08/2005 at 12:49am
User: Carol from Ellensburg, WA User Rating:
If you have a Rival Crockpot, check with the Manufacturer (their number should be in the manual that came with your crockpot). There is a current recall on some crockpots made by Rival because of problems with heating controls. The reason your oatmeal burned may be due to a problem crockpot. I have a GE crockpot (5 qt) and a Prylex crockpot (1.5 qt) that both work with this recipe. The flavor is great and the possible combinations of dried fruits that can be used makes it a great breakfast every day of the week.
Burnt!
10/18/2005 at 02:35pm
User: LeeAnn from Boston, MA User Rating:
I followed this recipe exactly and when cooked in my 5 1/2 Qt Smartpot for 8 hours on low it was a disgusting smelling burnt brown mess. I am so dissappointed. Alton has never led me astray before, but this was a disaster.
Best I've eaten
09/16/2005 at 01:53am
User: MIKE from El Cajon, CA User Rating:
I have used this overnight method a bunch of times now. I have added all kinds of dried fruits, from cherries to apricots to peaches and more. I actually have decided I like it best plain, with brown sugar, cinnamon and just a dash of milk. What a great, no wait hot breakfast. It is also one of my kids favorite breakfasts now. Thanks!
Good, satisfying and soooooo easy
09/15/2005 at 04:17pm
User: BRIAN from Bothell, WA User Rating:
Set this sucker going overnight along with your autodrip coffemaker and you have a breakfast that will fuel your mind and body well into the afternoon. I really enjoy these steel-cut oatmeal recipes.
Better than Mom's
09/14/2005 at 02:45am
User: GAIL from San Diego, CA User Rating:
Since my Mom always cooked her oatmeal in milk, I made this with 4 cups milk and 1 cup oats, no fruit. Sooo good, thick,creamy and yummy. I portion it into dishes, refrig it and microwave it for a 2 min. breakfast.A hearty, 3 point Weight Watcher meal. Have tried it with rolled oats, prefer the texture of steel cut oats. One problem-how do I get lumps so it's really like Mom's?
A Rare Miss From My Hero
08/20/2005 at 10:37am
User: Steven from Carlisle, PA User Rating:
I followed the recipe precisely (which is rare for me!) Everything that wasn't stuck to the bottom was mucilage. I'm going back to the normal half-hour simmer.
Yummy, Yummy
08/17/2005 at 09:32am
User: Alison from Westbrook, ME User Rating:
If you like oatmeal, you'll love this recipe! I've made this several times and experimented a little with different combinations. For example, I substituted the juice from a large can of sliced peaches as part of the water. I omitted the figs, and served the sliced peaches on top. I've also used apple juice and dried apples with a touch of cinnamon and brown sugar. Play around! This recipe is very versatile and can be tailored to suit anyone's taste.
Wonderful
08/07/2005 at 10:16pm
User: Tamiya from spring hill, TN User Rating:
This was so easy a child could do it. In fact mine did! It was also good with apples.
Healthy Oatmeal
08/01/2005 at 04:47pm
User: Nancy from Baton Rouge, LA User Rating:
The oatmeal was great. It was creamy, great flavor. Loved the cranberries but will leave the figs out next time.
Wonderful Flavors
07/30/2005 at 08:07pm
User: audrey from melbourne, FL User Rating:
I made this recipe after watching Alton make it on TV. The flavor was incrediable and best of all, my husband liked it, when I could not get him to eat oats at all. Thank you Alton! Audrey in Melbourne, FL
Excellent
07/30/2005 at 10:10am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I've always considered oatmeal something that could be made edible (but barely)only with liberal additions of butter and sugar. I tried this in part because Alton made it sound so appealing, in part because my husband's cholesterol tends to be high and oats are good for that and in part because I liked the idea of having a healthy breakfast ready with no effort in the morning. What a surprise to find that it was absolutely delicious without adding even a dash of sweetener.
Too mushy
07/26/2005 at 07:34am
User: Jennifer from amherst, MA User Rating:
I love steel cut oats, but just had this version this morning and am not a fan. Although I love the idea of waking to ready-made food, I don't think I'll try this again. It's much too mushy for my tastes. Part of the reason I like the steel cut oats is because there's more substanance to them than regular oatmeal. That being said, I might try with less liquid and keep an eye on it. Usually I use apple cidar instead of water, then add chopped nuts and apples, cinnamon and a little honey. Yum!
NOT TO MY LIKING
06/12/2005 at 08:52am
User: DONNA from YONKERS, NY User Rating:
IF OATMEAL CAN TASTE SOUR THIS DID. DO NOT RECOMMEND IT
great oatmeal!
05/27/2005 at 06:31pm
User: LAURI from Cary, NC User Rating:
This is a great way to make yummy oatmeal! I don't use the fruit, because I like it plain. It's so easy, my family is using the recipe, too.
Will require several tries
04/16/2005 at 10:36am
User: F from a, GA User Rating:
Pretty easy recipe, however the first time or two you will have to watch and adjust. The first time I made it resulted in a soupy mess. Watch the water levels.
Fabulous Recipe!
04/13/2005 at 10:00am
User: MAXINE from Duluth, GA User Rating:
I tried this for the first time yesterday. I used dried cranberries and dried apricots and it tastes wonderful. After reading all of the reviews, I shortened the cooking time to 3 hours and it was perfect. Any longer and I think it would have burned.
Ok once in a while
04/07/2005 at 02:32pm
User: Michael from Gold Canyon, AZ User Rating:
Portion large, kind of a mess to clean up.
Great Breakfast!
03/30/2005 at 10:04pm
User: Cindy from Jacksonville, FL User Rating:
This dish was very good, hardy and easy. I did not need to use any sugar or salt. The fruit gave it a slight sweetness and excellent flavor. I will prepare it again!
Burned the pot...
03/29/2005 at 04:05pm
User: SALLY from petaluma, CA User Rating:
Like many others mine burnt to a crisp. Would love to make this work, but I'm not sure it's possible in my crock pot. I'll keep trying, as soon as I can get this gunk out of my pot.
What an easy breakfast
03/24/2005 at 10:34am
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Wow! I never knew that something so good could be so easy. What a wonderful treat to wake up to. This certainly beats instant oats!
Quite delightful
03/23/2005 at 10:25am
User: Jeni from Boise, ID User Rating:
Simple, quick and tasty.
Very Good, Alton
03/22/2005 at 07:58pm
User: Audrey from Boulder, CO User Rating:
Your recipe is simple as you are entertaining. Tastes great and certainly is a great bedroom conversation piece.
A little strange
03/05/2005 at 12:17am
User: KELLY from Del Rio, TX User Rating:
This was certainly easy to make, it was just a little strange to me. I had never had figs before except in Newtons and I guess I didn't know what to expect. It was a little thin at first but thickened as it cooled. Overall it was good.
Great, quick meal
02/19/2005 at 05:26pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
Great breakfast. Very quick, easy to prepare. Nothing like cooking while you sleep...
Thermos to the rescue!
02/19/2005 at 01:28pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I like mine with papaya and cranberries. I noticed that a lot of people have crockpots that burn it. Try boiling water and pouring it into a thermos to warm it up, combine the ingredients in a saucepan and bring just to a boil, then empty the water from the thermos and pour the ingredients from the saucepan into the thermos. Close the thermos tightly and let it sit til morning. you may need the help of a narrow spatula to get the contents out, but it works just as well and there is no way it can burn no matter how long it's in there.
Works Great
02/13/2005 at 01:30pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I left out the fruit until morning and just cooked the oatmeal. I plugged the slow cooker into a timer so it doesn't come on until midnight. That way it is ready at 6 am when we are ready to eat it. I have found that 6 hours is a good amount of time.
meh...
02/11/2005 at 10:51pm
User: Anonymous User Rating:
I thought it would be really good, but it turned out to be slighty bland. I like the concept of waking up to oatmeal, but I thought it was lacking flavor.
Love the Overnight Oatmeal
02/05/2005 at 03:58pm
User: MARY from Winchester, VA User Rating:
The first time I tried this it turned out great. I used dried apples and cranberries instead of dates and figs, and added some cinnamon to the recipe. Since then I have also made it using raisins, dried apricots, dried blueberries, and dried strawberries (not all those fruits at once, usually a combination of two fruits). I'm single so I usually make a crockpot full on Saturday night, then on Sunday morning I'll have a bowl right out of the pot and put the rest into containers to put in the microwave for breakfast all week.
Good
02/04/2005 at 09:51am
User: CRYSTAL from Dallas, TX User Rating:
In general, I liked this recipe. However, I don't think I will cook it quite as long next time and use less water, since I prefer a heartier oatmeal. Also, I definitly do not like the figs texture once they rehydrate, it just doesn't feel right with this dish. Next time I will try different dried fruits.
Untried yet inspired
01/27/2005 at 06:45am
User: ELAINE from Burke, VA User Rating:
I'm glad I read all the reviews. I've been wanting to try steel cut oats but as soon as I found them in a local market,I was put on strict bedrest. So that eliminated standing over the stove for 30 minutes or so stirring a pot of oatmeal. Of course, since I've been put on bedrest all I want to eat is oatmeal. I can't wait to get my husband to set this up for me tonight!
2nd time success
01/18/2005 at 10:03pm
User: PATRICIA from Hyattsville, MD User Rating:
The very first time I tried this recipie was 2 years ago. I had a personal-sized crock pot, likely only 4 quarts or so, so I halved the recipie and let it cook overnight. Because it is so small, this crock pot has no "low"... and I woke up to a burnt, smelly mess. Tonight I finally decided to try it again, in the same pot but with alterations. I kept the oatmeal at 1 cup, kept the half and half at 1/2 cup, eyeballed the dry fruit (probably 1/2 cup), an