Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 7 hours

Recipe makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 1 cup skim milk (or milk substitute, such as almond or soy milk)
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ cup chopped nuts

Equipment and supplies:

• Slow cooker
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions:

1. Place oats, milk, water, applesauce, and cinnamon into the slow cooker. Stir, cover, and set to low.
2. Cook for 7 hours. (See tip below if you are cooking overnight.)
3. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon of the nuts and enjoy! You can also top your oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of raisins, but note that adding raisins will increase the amount of sugar you're eating.

Tip: You can make this recipe in advance and refrigerate it for later use. It will keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If the oatmeal is refrigerated or if it cooks longer than 7 hours, it will firm up. To bring back its creamy consistency, simply add ½ cup of low-fat milk or water for every cup of cooked oatmeal. Stir until it loosens up and microwave it for 1-2 minutes to make it hot again.

Reviewed by: Meredith Parkinson, RD, LDN
Date reviewed: October 2012