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★★★★★54 Comments

Savory Slow Cooker Oatmeal with Crispy Bacon

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by Lindsay Cotter Posted: September 15, 2017

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This Savory slow cooker oatmeal with crispy bacon will make you jump out of bed! A savory spin to your regular sweet oatmeal and total crowd pleaser dish, which is perfect for busy mornings! A Slow cooker oatmeal made with the addition butternut squash, garlic, herbs, parmesan cheese, and topped with crispy bacon and avocado. An easy to make well-rounded healthy meal for any time of day. Dairy free options too.

Overhead view savory slow cooker oatmeal served in stone bowl topped with crispy bacon and avocado slices

Hi brain. Are you there? It’s me Lindsay. Um, no, this brain is checked out and on island time. Did I mention I was on vacation? In Hawaii!! For our 10 year anniversary and our first REAL vacation ever? But I have WAY MORE to say on that later. I know I know, I’m super corny and should be off enjoying vacation, which I am, but I could not end the week without sharing this today. We are celebrating the start of cozy CROCK POT & SLOW COOKER recipes season ya’ll. YES! Slow cooker recipes are my jam, all kinds! But since it’s almost Fall, I have an extra love seasonal slow cooker recipes.  Like slow cooker vegan white bean mashed potatoes, slow cooker squash soup, slow cooker chili, and you guessed it…  Savory slow cooker Oatmeal …. with crispy bacon to be exact.

All ingredients for savory slow cooker oatmeal in black slow cooker

OHHHH MY GAWD! How have I gone so long without slow cooker oatmeal? Gluten free savory oats I have done, but only the quick stove top or microwave version. We top our “quick” savory oatmeal with egg ALL the time, been doing it since my husband’s pro triathlon days. That type of breakfast was his FAVORITE post swim recovery meal. Gluten free oats, melted butter, a touch of sea salt, real cream, egg, and tabasco. Yep. It’s unreal good and I think you should try it. But I digress, back to this beauty of a bowl!

Serving of slow cooker oatmeal in stone bowl topped with crispy bacon, micro greens, and avocado slices.

Slow cooker oats! LIFE CHANGING when it comes to savory. Here’s why.

5 Reasons to get on the SLOW COOKER SAVORY OATS bandwagon:

  1. You can pack in more veggies, savory sweet starches. Like sweet potatoes or squash give it a little sweetness without any added sugar, not to mention it adds more texture.
  2. Adding Aged Cheese or Nutritional Yeast (for dairy free peeps) makes these slow cooker oats taste like grits. And oh HOW I love “grits.” Cauliflower grits anyone?
  3. This is the PERFECT dish for breakfast, meal prep dinner, the holidays, a balanced post workout recovery meal, or weekend brunch. Seriously, it will feed a crowd. Even manly men who don’t consider oats to be a real breakfast. Well these oats for reals! Men will be in heaven with savory slow cooker oatmeal. But I kinda think the crispy bacon might also have something to do with it. More on that below.
  4. AVOCADO creaminess. Watch out Avocado toast, avocado oatmeal just one upped you. Or so I like to think.
  5. Last but not least –> Bacon. Okay here’s my secret to these savory oats. The KEY “LIFE CHANGING” ingredient. You ready? Bake the bacon with onion either first or half way through cooking the slow cooker oatmeal. It’s easy and baking the bacon makes it more flavorful and crispy. Once the bacon is done baking, keep the bacon grease from the pan and pour it into the slow cooker oatmeal.  Bonus –> You’re kitchen will smell like a campfire big breakfast. It’s AMAZING and so cozy.
Macro view crispy bacon on baking sheet
Savory oatmeal served in stone bowl topped with crispy bacon

I know what you’re thinking. Bacon grease? Ugh, that’s so unhealthy. And I would have to reply with ….. ya’ll…. GET the right kind of BACON. Bacon is real food and little goes a long way. Uncured, nitrate free, non-gmo, humanely raised, and all that super duper real food jazz.

If you’re not into the crispy bacon, that’s totally fine, adding an egg or even tempeh bacon on top is delicious and nutritious. Mmm k?

Alright, enough bacon and savory oatmeal chit chat. I could go on but let’s jump to the recipe and eat already. The good thing is that this recipe basically makes itself, so when I say recipe, I mean throw it in the slow cooker, mix, and press start. Easy peasy cheesy!

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Serving of slow cooker oatmeal in stone bowl topped with crispy bacon and avocado slices.

Savory Slow Cooker Oatmeal with Crispy Bacon


★★★★★

4.7 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 185 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

savory oatmeal made in a slow cooker with the addition butternut squash, garlic, herbs, parmesan cheese,  crispy bacon and avocado. An easy to make well-rounded healthy meal for any time of day. Gluten free with a dairy free option


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Slow Cooker Oatmeal:

  • 1.25 cups gluten free rolled oats
  • 1 cup diced peeled squash or sweet potato
  • 1 tbsp Butter or olive oil
  • Optional flaxseed 2 tbsp
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • ½ c sliced cherry tomatoes
  • ¼c Parmesan or nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • ¾ c broth
  • 2 cup plain almond milk or coconut milk unsweetened
  • ½ c to 1 c water (if oatmeal gets too thick, use as needed)

For the Crispy Bacon:

  • 1.5 ounces uncured nitrate free bacon strips
  • ¼ c sliced red onion

For the Savory Oatmeal Bowl Toppings:

  • Sliced Avocado
  • Steamed spinach
  • Microgreens
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Parmesan shavings
  • cooked crispy bacon and onion
  • pinch of Pepper
  • Optional fried or poached egg

Instructions

  1. Place the gluten free oats, diced peeled squash, tomato, butter or oil, flaxseed, garlic, seasoning, milk, broth, and parmesan in the crock pot or slow cooker. Mix all together and set on high 3 hrs or low for 5. Could be more or less depending on your slow cooker.
  2. Stir and scrape the sides of the slow cooker every hour if you are using real cheese. The flaxseed with help bind everything together and thicken it up like steel cut oats.
  3. Add a ¼ c more milk or water if you want to thin out the oats (to create more of a porridge) the last hour of cooking.
  4. When the slow cooker oats are about ready, preheat oven to 350F and Line a baking tray with foil.
    Place bacon strips and sliced onion on the tray on top of foil. Bake for 15 minutes or until crispy.
    Reserve ½ to 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease.
  5. Stir the extra bacon grease into the oats before serving.
  6. Spoon savory oatmeal into bowls. Add your toppings of choice (listed) and crispy bacon with onions to garnish.

Notes

You can cook this overnight if you have an automatic slow cooker that shifts to warm after 5 hrs. If so, I recommend adding the the cheese in morning. Or use a slow cooker liner so the cheese doesn’t burn the sides.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 180 minutes
  • Category: breakfast
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 2.4g
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 9.5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: overnight oats, slow cooker oatmeal, gluten free, dairy free

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I may be bias, but the whole crispy bacon and avocado and steamed greens addition = is like a buttery BLT in oatmeal form. Ya, addicting.

A stone bowl filled with slow cooker savory oatmeal being held with two hands
Close up overhead view savory slow cooker oatmeal in bowl topped with crispy bacon, micro greens, and sliced avocado.

I’m also debating on trying slow cooker polenta or millet with the savory spin. I think it will be perfect for those cold mornings. Ya, I live in cold climate now. NEEDED!

[Tweet “Breakfast ideas! Try this Savory #slowcooker oatmeal to start the day! #glutenfree”]

For those of you who make slow cooker oatmeal, what do you put in them? Sweet or savory?

Cheers to the weekend!

 
 
 
Stone bowl with serving of slow cooker oatmeal topped with crispy bacon and avocado


MORE SLOW COOKER & INSTANT POT RECIPES HERE!

This recipe is part of our Best Slow Cooker Meal Prep and Instant Pot Recipes collection. Check it out!

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Categories: Breakfasts, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Slow Cooker, Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Tags: breakfast, crock pot, gluten free breakfast, slow cooker

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

About Lindsay

Hi, y’all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten-Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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  1. Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

    02/06/2021 at 4:29 PM

    I hope you enjoy the oatmeal!

    Reply
  2. Viva

    02/06/2021 at 6:02 AM

    I am Crazy For Oatmeal I will Try With Crispy Bacon.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      02/06/2021 at 6:15 PM

      Fantastic, Viva. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  3. Elisa

    02/03/2020 at 5:34 AM

    Easy & delicious! I’m a fan of Oatmeal! Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Katie

    01/21/2020 at 10:16 PM

    I tried making this dish once but it seems I have failed, maybe I should try again with a more accurate way.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      01/22/2020 at 10:32 AM

      Oh now! What happened?

      Reply
  5. ShayneLPT

    12/11/2019 at 9:04 PM

    This sounds amazing! Any thoughts on using steel cut oats vs rolled oats? (We have a lot of steel cut oats in our pantry!). And on using an Instapot pressure cooker? We do our oatmeal (steel cut) in the pressure cooker several mornings a week with almond milk, plus apples, etc., but have never tried a savoury version.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      12/12/2019 at 7:50 AM

      Yes, you could try using steel cut oats. Maybe try similar IP settings that I do for my superfood instant pot oatmeal recipe. Here’s the link to that recipe: https://www.cottercrunch.com/superfood-instant-pot-oatmeal/ – see the notes at the bottom for instant pot version. Keep me posted with how it goes for you.

      Reply
  6. gmail sign up

    11/03/2019 at 9:35 PM

    Things are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial.

    Reply
  7. happy wheels

    09/08/2019 at 9:57 PM

    Your article is very useful, the content is great, I have read a lot of articles, but for your article, it left me a deep impression, thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  8. cool math games

    04/21/2019 at 9:24 PM

    I am glad to see this brilliant post, all the details are very helpful and useful for us, keep up to good work.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      04/22/2019 at 11:55 AM

      Thank you so much! Enjoy:)

      Reply
  9. K

    09/22/2018 at 10:18 PM

    This looks amazing! Have you ever tried making it in an instant pot for faster cooking? I’m trying to figure out how that might impact ingredient ratios and cooking time.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      09/23/2018 at 11:27 AM

      I think you could! maybe try similar settings that I do for my superfood instant pot oatmeal recipe. Do you have that?

      Reply
  10. samantha steven

    08/24/2018 at 6:24 AM

    Great recipe. I have been suffering from constant diarrhea issue and so the doctor had advised me to include oatmeal in my diet. I would definitely recommend it to people who face similar health condition. Thanks for sharing such an amazing recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  11. samantha steven

    08/24/2018 at 6:22 AM

    Thank you for giving so many amazing sounding recipes! I have to say this is THE BEST oatmeal I have ever tasted. I have been suffering from constant diarrhea issue and so the doctor had advised me to include oatmeal in my diet. I would definitely recommend it to people who face similar health condition. Thanks for sharing such an amazing recipe.

    Reply
  12. samantha steven

    08/24/2018 at 6:21 AM

    I have been cooking a lot lately, trying many different healthy recipes found on a blog such as yours and I have to say this is THE BEST oatmeal I have ever tasted. I have been suffering from constant diarrhea issue and so the doctor had advised me to include oatmeal in my diet. I would definitely recommend it to people who face similar health condition. Thanks for sharing such an amazing recipe.

    Reply
  13. Roll the ball

    05/14/2018 at 3:33 AM

    I tried making this dish once but it seems I have failed, maybe I should try again with a more accurate way.

    Reply
  14. Marsha Gibbons

    04/13/2018 at 7:31 AM

    You mention a cup of water in recipe but when you describe the method, the water is not mentioned.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      04/13/2018 at 10:41 AM

      sorry about that. I just adjusted the recipe. I used the extra water to thin out the oats half way through cooking. That’s if it needs it. It depends on your slow cooker and the oats you use. So if you see the oats are getting to thick and dry half way through slow cooking, you might add more milk or water. Does that make sense?

      Reply
  15. Marina

    12/09/2017 at 11:50 AM

    Hey, love this recipe!
    Would I be able to use quinoa instead of the rolled oats?
    Thank you. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      12/09/2017 at 8:14 PM

      You can sure try it!! The texture will be a bit different and it might take longer to cook. Keep me posted though

      Reply
      • Marina

        12/10/2017 at 4:59 PM

        Okay, thank you!
        I will

        Reply
  16. Heather Christo

    09/20/2017 at 2:18 PM

    WOAH!!! this is SO pretty and drool worthy!

    Reply
  17. Jolene

    09/19/2017 at 7:17 PM

    OH EM GEE!! YUM!! I need this in my life!

    Reply
  18. Maria

    09/19/2017 at 11:55 AM

    Love this savory version!

    Reply
  19. Erin

    09/19/2017 at 11:14 AM

    I love more ideas for savory instead of sweet breakfasts!

    Reply
  20. Liz @ Floating Kitchen

    09/19/2017 at 10:50 AM

    Ohhhh I haven’t made savory oatmeal in forever. Thanks for reminding me about it! And even better because it’s in the slow cooker. Perfect for busy mornings!

    Reply
  21. gerry speirs

    09/19/2017 at 10:09 AM

    Savory oatmeal…why the heck not when you make it look like this!!

    Reply
  22. Lexi @Lexi'scleankitchen

    09/18/2017 at 10:54 PM

    Such a great slow cooker dish!! You had me at crispy bacon!

    Reply
  23. Gaby Dalkin

    09/18/2017 at 8:20 PM

    Lovin’ this savory spin!!

    Reply
  24. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets

    09/18/2017 at 9:28 AM

    You are a genius. Now go enjoy your vacation and by vacation, I mean that husband of yours.

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/18/2017 at 9:59 PM

      done and done, literally. wink wink

      Reply
  25. Melissa Griffiths

    09/16/2017 at 11:34 AM

    SO much yum in this bowl! Seriously delicious ingredients! I’m excited to check out this savory oats idea!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/18/2017 at 10:03 PM

      yea! let me know if you do Melissa!

      Reply
  26. Cassie Autumn Tran

    09/16/2017 at 10:42 AM

    Happy vacation, Lindsay! This slow cooker oatmeal is a really clever idea–now I want to try my own savory oatmeal!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/18/2017 at 10:04 PM

      thank you friend! and I bet you’d love this with nutritional yeast and coconut bacon!! For sure!

      Reply
  27. Natasha @ Salt & Lavender

    09/15/2017 at 3:35 PM

    I’ll admit I’m not the biggest breakfast (or morning) person in the world, but this does look good. And sitting here at work on a Friday afternoon at 2:30, that crispy bacon is looking mighty tempting about now. Sigh! I hope you’re enjoying Hawaii. I have been following along on your IG stories. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/16/2017 at 1:13 AM

      I feel ya! But this totally works for Brinner. And thank you for following on IG> it’s been UNREAL! Needed rest too, ya know?

      Reply
  28. Katie

    09/15/2017 at 1:30 PM

    I literally can’t even. Yup just said that 😉 !!!! Not only does this recipe sound amazing the photography is STUNNING!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/16/2017 at 1:12 AM

      haha you are too good to me! I will work on moving you here ASAP!

      Reply
      • Katie

        09/16/2017 at 6:11 PM

        I’ll be waiting 😉

        Reply
  29. Alysia @ Slim Sanity

    09/15/2017 at 12:08 PM

    I think alll the time how I want to do a savory oatmeal! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/18/2017 at 10:06 PM

      let me know if you try it friend!

      Reply
  30. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table

    09/15/2017 at 11:47 AM

    I’m so digging all of the savory oats lately. When I made them like 5 years ago, people thought I was so weird it actually landed me on GOMI. And that’s when I knew I hit it big. *eye roll*

    ANYWAY… I love this idea, love the slow cooker take. I’m totally going to try these if it EVER cools off here.

    Have so much FUN!

    Reply
  31. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious

    09/15/2017 at 10:45 AM

    Hmm…oatmeal with bacon YES! Everything is just better with bacon.

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/15/2017 at 10:54 AM

      You are so right about that my friend!

      Reply
  32. Carrie this fit chick

    09/15/2017 at 7:49 AM

    Totally in love with the fact that you made oatmeal savory! I havent had savory oatmeal in ages. And ive never made it in a slow cooker, but I love the idea!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/15/2017 at 10:56 AM

      right? It needs a comeback!

      Reply
  33. Annmarie

    09/15/2017 at 7:14 AM

    I am ALL about savory oatmeal! This looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/15/2017 at 10:58 AM

      thanks lovely! I knew you’d agree.

      Reply
  34. Susie @ Suzlyfe

    09/15/2017 at 7:03 AM

    Such a great idea! I’ve never made slow cooker oats before, and I love that you went savory

    Reply
    • Cotter Crunch

      09/15/2017 at 10:57 AM

      I think yoshi would like it. I mean, minus the bacon. 😉 For pregnant mama safety

      Reply

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

About Lindsay

Hi, y’all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten-Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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