Big batch slow cooker cinnamon and apple porridge
There are few things more comforting than waking up and having a big bowl of porridge! Once autumn hits, I bring out the slow cooker and make a large batch of fruity spiced porridge to get me through the cold mornings You simply toss all the ingredients in and let your slow cooker do all the work for you! Once the porridge is cooked, separate it into muffin tins and sit the tins in the freezer for an hour or so before moving your new handy porridge cups into freezer bags. When you wake up and want a bowl of porridge, you just grab a couple of your frozen cups, add a bit of milk, and microwave – simple and delicious.
Ingredients
- 90 grams butter plus more for greasing
- 350 grams steel cut oats
- 300 grams quinoa
- 1.8 litres almond or oat milk
- 800 ml water
- 6 tbsp maple syrup
- 500 grams apples diced
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 tsp clove
- chopped toasted pecans and extra apple slices for serving optional
Instructions
- Grease the sides of your slow cooker generously with some butter to help reduce the risk of sticking. You can also use a slow cooker liner.
- Place all of the ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours. See notes.
- Once oats are cooked to your desired consistency, stir the porridge gently and serve immediately with optional extras, or go straight to dividing across your muffin tins. I suggest using an ice cream scoop for consistent measuring but a regular spoon will do the job too.
- Freeze your muffin tins for about an hour until the porridge is solid and can be removed from the tin without breaking up. You can then transfer the porridge cups to a freezer safe bag or container to use later. You can reheat the porridge gently on the stove or in the microwave with some additional milk stirred in.
Notes
This recipe is very customisable and you can add extra things like flax seeds, dried fruits, or different nuts for topping.
This recipe is made for a large 6.5l slow cooker. You can reduce the ingredients if you have a smaller slow cooker.
It’s also important to note that all slow cookers have slightly different temperatures and it may take a trial before you know how this recipe works in yours. If yours runs hotter, more liquid can be added to top up.