Overnight Apple Pie Oatmeal & A Handy Apple Chart

Fall has arrived in North Texas my friends. The temperature is finally changing and there's a cool crisp breeze in the air. As the weather gets cooler I find myself wanting to get into the kitchen and start baking all my favorite fall foods. 

Soups, Stews, Apple Pie, Apple Fritters and Apple Bread oh how I love this time of year. Apples are in season everyone, so it's time to enjoy them. One of my favorite ways to enjoy apples is in Oatmeal. Overnight Apple Pie Oatmeal to be exact.

Before we jump into the recipe and seeing that it's apple season, Walmart wanted me to share a little information about “Apple Fest ”. What is Apple Fest you ask? Well, that's when the produce section at your local Walmart is packed full of different apple varieties.

Did you know that Walmart stocks about 5,000 pounds of apples in each of their stores nationwide.  Whew that's a lot of apples my friends.  I have to admit there's so many different apple varieties, that I can get a bit confused on which apples to use in what recipe. All apples are not created the same, so this is a good thing to know.    

When I think of cooking with apples Granny Smith usually come to mind. Well, I found out that you can use a variety of apples for cooking and baking. To help distinguish which apples are best for what I've included a handy chart on  Apple Varieties .

This chart is perfect when you're trying to figure out which apples are best for eating, baking or cooking. I printed off a copy of the apple chart and keep it in my recipe file. That way I always have it on hand. The chart also tells you when each apple variety is in season (always good to know).  

OK now back to the recipe. I headed to my local Walmart and picked up all the ingredients I needed to make the Apple Pie Oatmeal. I chose Gala Apples for this recipe, but Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious or Granny Smith are just as good.

These are the ingredients you will need all found at my local Walmart: Steel Cut Oats, Milk or Almond Milk, Apples, Apple Juice or Cider, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Ground Flax Seed (optional), Cinnamon, Apple Pie Spice (not pictured) and Pecans.

Steel cut oats can take a long time to cook, so I utilize my crock pot. Instead of just baking them directly in the crock pot. I use a water bath method.

I place the oatmeal ingredients into a small bowl  and then place the small bowl into the crock pot.  Water is then poured directly around the bowl and then cover with the lid.

This method allows the oatmeal to bake and steam overnight. Plus the oatmeal does not stick to your crock pot and you won't get that thick crusty browning.

To start you will need to find a bowl that will hold four - five cups of liquid, and fit inside your crock pot with the lid on.

You can use a crock pot with multiple bowls (3 in 1 slow cooker) like I have. I chose to use my 3 in 1 slow cooker for this recipe. Fill water about 1/2 to 3/4 full in your largest bowl (6qt).

This can sometimes be  hard to determine the first time, so add the water slowly adding more if needed. Place the smallest bowl (3 quart) directly on top of the 6 quart bowl.

Add all the Oatmeal ingredients to the crock pot except the toppings. If using a regular crock pot then add the smaller bowl inside your crock pot and add all the oatmeal ingredients to the small bowl.

Place the smaller bowl inside a 6 qt crock pot and slowly add water to the crock pot itself around the bowl. Add enough water to about 1 inch from the rim of the bowl. 

Stir, cover, and cook on low for 7 - 8 hours. In the morning remove the lid and give the oatmeal a good stir. If the oatmeal is too thick add a bit of milk or cream and stir to thin it out. Add oatmeal to serving bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings. I tried adding the apples to cook with the oatmeal, but they become mushy. Add the diced apples as a topping instead before serving. 

Um by far my favorite way to enjoy apples. Happy Apple Season everyone.

Overnight Apple Pie Oatmeal 
{mommyskitchen.net}

Ingredients:

1 - cup steel cut oats
2 - cups water
1 1/2 cup apple juice or cider
1/2 cup low fat or almond milk
1/8 - cup brown sugar
1/2 - teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 - teaspoon apple pie spice
1 - 2 tablespoon ground flax seed, optional
1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 - teaspoon salt

Toppings: nuts, diced apples, and cinnamon sugar

Directions:

Use a bowl that will hold five cups of liquid, and fit inside a 6 quart crock pot with the lid on.
Or use a crock pot with multiple bowls (3 in 1 slow cooker). Using the 3 & 6 quart size bowls.

Add all the oatmeal ingredients, minus the toppings to the small bowl and place inside your crock pot. Add water to the crock pot and around the inner bowl.

Add enough water to where it comes up to about 1 inch of the rim of the bowl.

Give it a good stir, cover, and cook on low for 7 - 8 hours (overnight).

In the morning remove the lid and give the oatmeal a good stir. If the oatmeal is too thick add a bit of milk and stir to thin it out. Serve hot and with garnishes, if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers.

To reheat: add oatmeal to microwave-safe bowl and add a splash or two of milk to re-moisten the oatmeal. Reheat for about 1 minute, take it out, stir it around, then microwave for 10-20 seconds more.

Cook's Note: You will need to use a bowl that will hold five cups of liquid, and fit inside your crock pot with the lid on. Or use a 3 in 1 crock pot with stack able bowls.