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Gingerbread Oatmeal is the perfect hands-off gingerbread oats recipe for the holidays. These gingerbread oats are bursting with holiday spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and all spice. Let the crockpot do the work for your Christmas oatmeal!

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I can’t help but think of Christmas music and a cozy mug of coffee when I enjoy this gingerbread oatmeal recipe.

When it comes to a Christmas morning breakfast, I really struggle between choosing this Gingerbread Christmas oatmeal and pomegranate oatmeal.

Both are fantastic holiday oatmeal recipes and very hands-off, but they appeal for different reasons. 

The great thing about this gingerbread spice oatmeal is that you can use any type of oats you like.

I’ve been into cooking gingerbread steel cut oats in the crockpot lately because it couldn’t be easier.

I’ve made this dairy-free with coconut oil and almond milk, so if you need a vegan gingerbread recipe, this is for you. 

And it makes for a great smelling kitchen, which is pretty much a must with a Christmas oatmeal!

I’ve really come to appreciate the magic that is molasses this year, and how important it is for the true gingerbread flavor. Don’t skip it!

And with 3 little ones, it’s pretty much necessary for me to make Christmas breakfast the night before.

Like many of my other meal prep oatmeal recipes, this oatmeal with gingerbread is easy and hands off the next morning.

Here are some other favorite make ahead breakfast favorites:

• Shredded Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole
• Asparagus Mushroom Quiche
• Banana Gingerbread Loaf
• Banana Peach Steel Cut Baked Oatmeal
• Sweetpotato Blueberry Baked Oatmeal.

Ingredients For Gingerbread Oatmeal

Gather your ingredients in advance of Christmas morning so you can enjoy these lovely gingerbread oats while you sip on coffee and open presents. 

• Coconut oil (or butter if not vegan)
• Uncooked steel cut oats (I really love the McCann’s Irish oatmeal)
• Water
• Milk – I used almond milk but you can use any type
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Allspice
• Blackstrap Molasses or maple syrup
• Crockpot

For exact ingredients and measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

How to Make Slowcooker Gingerbread Oatmeal

Until now, I’ve only used my crockpot for savory dishes, like Slowcooker Roasted Potatoes and Pumpkin Chicken Chili.

I think a crockpot is the key to creamy oatmeal when using steel cut oats.

Just combine all your ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir well to mix all the flavors together. 

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

You can let this cook while you’re making your Christmas cookies, or even set it overnight so your Christmas oatmeal is ready in the morning!

Topping Ideas

This healthy gingerbread oatmeal is so easy to make and is delicious on its own, but I also love to top it with a few of my favorite things to mix it up a bit!

• Berries
• Bananas
• pomegranate aerils
• Peanut Butter (or any type of nut butter)
• Hemp Seeds
• Chia Seeds
• Flax Seeds
• Pecans
• Chopped walnuts
• Dried fruit
• A dollop of Greek yogurt

Get as creative as you want! I’ve even put some peppermint chocolate on there and it was delicious.

Hopefully, this little trick of cooking oatmeal in the crockpot will become a life hack for you too. Make this on Christmas Eve to have it ready for Christmas morning.

Share in the comments how your gingerbread crockpot oatmeal turned out!

Tips For Cooking Gingerbread Steel Cut Oats in a Crockpot

The first time I made this gingerbread oatmeal, it just wasn’t ginger-y enough so I changed it up a bit and added more spices. The second time around, it was a little dry so I added a bit more liquid.

Now, I have all the tips for the perfect holiday gingerbread oatmeal.  

• When making crockpot oatmeal, make sure to add butter or oil into the crockpot when you first start. This helps grease the pot but also provides some extra flavor when it melts and meshes with all the ingredients.
• I recommend using only steel cut oats for this creamy oatmeal recipe. They’re thicker and will hold up much longer. And you’ll get this creamy delicious result.
• If you are trying to get the true gingerbread flavor, you will want to use molasses and don’t substitute for it!
• This gingerbread oatmeal makes a big batch, so I love to make it ahead of time and put it in airtight containers in the fridge and pull it out as we feel like eating it. If it seems a little dry, add a little milk as needed and stir it in. 
• To make vegan crockpot oatmeal, use any non-dairy milk. It’s an easy 1:1 ratio swap!
• If your oats seem dry, just add more milk, as needed. 

FAQ and Storage Tips

Can I make overnight steel cut oatmeal?

Yes, you can cook gingerbread oatmeal overnight, making it the perfect Christmas morning oatmeal breakfast.

To make it overnight, you want to turn your crockpot on low right before you go to bed.

Let it cook for 8 hours and then in the morning, you have a comforting, hot breakfast and your house will smell amazing!

How long does gingerbread oatmeal last?

Gingerbread oats will last anywhere from 4 to 6 days when kept in the fridge in an airtight container. 

You will want to be sure to put it in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking it to prevent bacteria that can develop when it sits at room temperature.

How to reheat gingerbread oatmeal

To reheat your gingerbread oatmeal, you will want to put your oatmeal in a microwavable safe container and cook in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes.

After 1 minute, stir your oatmeal and check the temperature. Continue to cook at 30 second intervals until it reaches the desired temperature.  

• Peppermint Oatmeal Cookies
• Gingerbread Protein Pancakes
• Cranberry Strawberry Chia Sauce
• Pomegranate Chocolate Bark
• Balsamic Roasted Carrots and Brussel Sprouts
• Roasted Beets and Butternut Squash Salad

Servings 6 -8

Gingerbread Crockpot Oatmeal

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN

Crockpot Gingerbread Oatmeal is the perfect hands-off healthy crockpot oatmeal for you and your family! This crockpot steel cut oatmeal is bursting with holiday spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and all spice. With all the whole grains and fiber this homemade gingerbread oatmeal offers, you will feel satisfied all day.

4.59 from 17 ratings

Print Pin

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 1-2 tbsp coconut oil or butter, optional
• 1 ½ cups uncooked steel cut oats
• 6 cups water
• 2 cups milk of choice I used almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 2 tbsp molasses or maple syrup

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions 

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, stirring well to mix the flavors around.
2. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Equipment

BetterBody Foods Organic Virgin Coconut Oil — Cold-Pressed and Unrefined Coconut Oil, Medium Temperature Cooking Oil, Great Alternative To Butter, Light Coconut Flavor and Aroma, 56 Ounce

McCann’s Irish Oatmeal, Traditional Steel Cut Oats, 28 Ounce

Golden Barrel Blackstrap Molasses, 16 Fl. Oz

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 243mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11g

Did you make this recipe?Let us know how it was!