Slow Cooker Overnight Oats

A Healthy Beginning to Your Day

Why Soaking Oats Matters

Slow Cooker Overnight OatsGood old-fashioned rolled oats and porridge are a staple breakfast that has been around for hundreds of years!

Oats are a nutrient powerhouse, full of essential minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. Yet they also have phytic acid, a type of “anti nutrient” which can bind up these minerals and prevent their absorption in the body. 

Reducing the phytic acid by soaking oats overnight can improve the bioavailability of these essential minerals.

Although oats contain naturally low amounts of the enzyme phytase, which degrades phytic acid, mixing them with high-phytase grains such as rye or buckwheat during soaking will also reduce phytic acid levels.  Not only does this ancient preparation make nutrients better absorbed, but it also increases  digestibility, so your breakfast oats are not only healthier but also kinder to your stomach.

You can simply soak oats and other grains overnight – just add them to a saucepan with water and soak, then cook in the morning as per usual. They take much less time, similar to standard quick oats but they are far easier to digest. Or alternatively,  try this slow cooker version for an instant breakfast when you wake up in the morning! This long slow cooking makes the oats super creamy and gentle on stomach.

Slow Cooker Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup organic steel-cut / whole rolled oats
  • 3.5 cups water or a mix of water and milk (dairy or plant-based)
  • 1 tablespoon of butter or coconut oil (optional, for creaminess)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Optional Add-ins:

  • Cooking oats
  • Chopped apples or pears
  • Dried fruits like raisins or cranberries

Instructions:

  1. Grease the slow cooker with butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and stir well.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours overnight.
  4. In the morning, simply stir the oats and serve!

Serving Suggestions:

Top your oats with:

  • A dollop of Greek yogurt, organic cream or ricotta cheese
  • Chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts
  • Natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or honey (if desired)
  • Fresh fruits such as berries or banana slices
  • A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
  • Milk of your choice

 

Get the Nutritional Low Down on Oats

Slow cooker overnight oats are a fibre–rich breakfast food that is beneficial for overall health and well-being. They contain high amounts of dietary fibre, specifically beta-glucan, that is good for the immune system and also associated with lowering LDL cholesterol and helps heart health.  Beta glucan has also been shown in recent research to help eliminate PFAS chemicals, which is great news as this nasty chemical can be hard to get rid of. You can read more about PFAS in my article here.

Oats offer a good source of  plant protein, as well as the essential minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, which aid in energy metabolism, bone structure, and blood pressure. 

The addition of B vitamins and antioxidants also boosts their nutrition profile. Packed with all these benefits, overnight oats can be one of the healthiest and easy ways to begin your day! 

 

For more nourishing recipes, check out my recipes section and explore my articles and resources on my blog here.