Slow Cooker Eggnog Overnight Oats

📝Shopping list

To make this amazing overnight oatmeal recipe, you will need: 

• steel cut oats Do not use any other than steel cut oats for this recipe
• vanilla extract
• ground cinnamon
• ground nutmeg
• brown sugar
• eggnog I use almond milk nog which contains no eggs. (This recipe is made with alcohol-free eggnog)

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Get Cooking

• 🥣 Place oats into a well greased slow cooker
• 🥣 Add in remaining oatmeal ingredients and stir to combine
• 🥣 Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (overnight) or high for 3-4 hours
• 🥣 If you want to this dish in your slow cooker for more than 8 hours, switch to the "keep warm" setting
• 🥣 Before serving, remove lid and stir to fully combine.  The top layer may appear a dry when you first remove the lid.  This varies from slow cooker to slow cooker, but is totally normal.  

🍽Topping ideas

There are a seemingly endless number of ways to top this hot breakfast.  Some favorites are:

• Dried cranberries
• Sliced ripe bananas
• Chocolate chips
• A pinch of salt (to perfectly compliment the sweet)
• A sprinkle of cinnamon or cinnamon sugar
• Nuts - such as pecans, walnuts, or cashews
• Holiday sprinkles
• Crushed candy canes

🔁Substitutions

• Swap brown sugar for maple syrup for a creamier, sweet flavor change
• This recipe is sweet.  Skip the brown sugar to reduce the sweetness
• Use homemade eggnog rather store bought
• Add in a tablespoon or two of chia seeds along with the oats for a creamy nutrition boost
• Not a fan of eggnog?  Consider: Peanut butter & Jelly oatmeal, gingerbread cookie oatmeal, or chocolate chip cookie dough oatmeal instead. 

😉Hints & hacks

1. This delicious combination of flavors is the perfect Christmas morning breakfast. Setting this dish up on Christmas eve is a great way to reduce a little bit of holiday stress. 
2. This recipe is easily doubled for a crowd.  No additional cooking time is required.
3. The first time you make this recipe, try it during the day so you can keep an eye on it.  Each slow cooker is slightly different.  You want to confirm that your oatmeal isn't burning along the outside of the bowl.  
4. I always recommend a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up. This is, of course, an optional step. 
5. Looking to increase the health benefits of this dish? Try adding some flax seed or a nut butter into the mix!
6. I love to add chocolate chips to this dish.  To add chocolate chips: be sure to let your oatmeal cool a bit before attempting to stir in chips. Hot oatmeal will cause chocolate chips to melt (although that's not necessarily bad!!). 
7. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
8. Always confirm that your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on.  There is nothing worse than waking up to a cold slow cooker🥺.