Steel-cut oats cook overnight with bananas, walnuts, and spices to create a healthy, make-ahead breakfast that will be waiting for you in the morning.

If I had to offer one secret when it comes to reaching weight loss or healthy living goals it would be to start every day with a healthy breakfast. Of course, you’ve heard it 100 times but I also know that it isn’t so easy for everyone. People often tell me they don’t have time to make breakfast or they aren’t hungry first thing in the morning.

Listen up, friends. You must make eating breakfast a part of your daily routine. If you aren’t hungry in the morning, that likely means your metabolism isn’t running at it’s highest potential. Even if you just start with a piece of fruit or a slice of whole-grain toast, try to eat something within an hour of waking up.

Breakfast literally means “breaking the fast”. You haven’t eaten in close to 12 hours and your body needs a balanced meal to get going again! If you start eating breakfast, your body will begin to crave it when you wake up. Hunger is a sign of your metabolism functioning and the higher the metabolism, the more calories you burn throughout the day – even when you’re sitting on your bum playing on Pinterest.

And for those of you who claim not to have time in the morning, I’ve taken that excuse out of the pile! Take five minutes the night before to throw together this slow cooker banana nut oatmeal and you will wake up to delicious aromas of bananas, walnuts and spices. Since the slow cooker will keep it warm, everyone can help themselves in the morning regardless of their schedule. Easy as pie…er…oats.
Your spoon is waiting.

Slow Cooker Banana Nut Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 1 ripe banana (mashed)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 cups milk (any kind)
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- slices banana (walnuts or brown sugar – optional garnish)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir until well combined.
- Cook overnight on Low for 8 hours.
- In the morning, stir oatmeal with a fork to loosen the steel cut oats and make sure everything is fully incorporated.
- Serve warm with banana slices, chopped walnuts or a pinch of brown sugar if you wish.
Pot in pot method must be required and not a suggestion or something because my recipe came out absolutely awful. Was soupy and yet half burnt
I doubled the recipe, low for 8 hours and it turned out extremely dense,cake like and almost burnt. I was able to salvage enough for one bowl. Not sure what happened… Any idea? I gave it four stars because the flavor was good, if it had turned out as oatmeal should, it would have been amazing.
Hi Theresa, I am so sorry. It appears “2 cups water” was accidentally removed from the recipe. I have added it back. I truly apologize. Please try it again!!! <3
In the video you don’t add the water. In the recipe you call for 2 cups of water!? Mine came out like soup so I don’t understand why anyone else isn’t questioning this too!
Hi Christine! So sorry for the confusion there. There should be 4 cups liquid for every 1 cup steel cut oats.
After reading the comments I’m confused about the 2 cups of water. Do I need to add it or not?
I already put everything into the crockpot including the 2 cups of water- I hope it’s right!
Yes that’s correct! Enjoy!! :)
Mine came out like soup. How can one cup of oats with 4 cups of liquid come out right? I didn’t have steel cut oats so I used my gluten free oats.
Hi Christine – This recipe is for steel cut oats which require double the liquid as old fashioned.
how you made this type of recipe actually i want make this so this article is very helpful for me
I hope you love it!
Just made this and it was fantastic!! So happy with the results. Doesn’t even need brown sugar for me!! I wanted to eat the whole pot!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!
Always looking for a great overnight oats recipe; the banana bread flavor sounds amazing; looking forward to making it :)
So happy to hear!!
Just made this and it was fantastic!! So happy with the results.I wanted to eat the whole pot!
That makes me so happy!
You’re welcome! Had leftovers this morning and they heated up with a bit of milk perfectly. I used just raisins this time and it was just as tasty. Will definitely be making this one again! Thanks!
Thanks for the suggestion, that’s just what I did this morning and my son and I loved it!
Oh I’m so glad!
I’ve attempted overnight oats and always end up with delicious oatmeal on top, but the bottom and sides end up a burnt mess. Could you explain, again, how to use a bowl to negate this problem.
You can try adding a couple inches of water to bottom and then placing the oats + other ingredients for the oatmeal in a glass bowl on top of the liquid!
3rd night in a row preparing ingredients for banana walnut oatmeal. Put everything in VitaClay pot. Mix Start Sleep Enjoy. Thanks so much for this fab recipe
Oh perfect!! :)
I normally don’t really like bananas, but in this they were great.
I’m so glad you enjoyed!