Winter weekends and upcoming February school vacations may mean parents have sleepovers or play dates coming up and fun food is always important! This recipe for a slow cooker oatmeal and an “oatmeal bar” allows you to give the kids a healthy, warm, filling for their little bellies while leaving room for their creativity and tastes to shine. It’s also incredibly easy to put together and modify so those little hands can help to get it going, too!
YIELDS
6-8 servings
PREP TIME
COOK TIME
TOTAL TIME
- 4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick cooking oats)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Topping Option: nuts
- Topping Option: fruit
- Topping Option: nut butter
- Topping Option: chocolate chips
- Topping Option: unsweetened coconut
- Topping Option: cinnamon
- Topping Option: nutmeg
- Topping Option: maple syrup
- non-stick cooking spray
Directions
1. Spray the inside of your slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray. Place the unsweetened almond milk and water in the slow cooker. (Note: you can adjust the ratio of almond milk to water to suit your preferences; however, I recommend that you keep the liquid to oats ratio at least 3:1).
2. Add in the oats, vanilla extract, maple syrup and cinnamon. Stir. Set on low and cook for approximately 2 ½ hours (slow cooker times may vary). You can add liquid to the oatmeal as it cooks if you prefer a softer consistency.
3. While the oatmeal finishes cooking, get creative with your oatmeal bar. Chop fruit, nuts, chocolate and bring out the nut butters, coconut, maple syrups, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and unsweetened cocoa. Let the kiddos get creative to make their own “oatmeal sundae.” Enjoy and stay warm!
Also by Colette: Vegan Gluten-Free Vanilla-Glazed Banana Bread
Related: Vegan Blueberry Pie Oatmeal
Vegan Banana Oatmeal Blender Pancakes
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Photos: Colette Goguen
