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Emily Richter
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These Hot Cocoa Steel Cut Oats made completely in the slow cooker are truly the most perfect winter breakfast! All the things you love about hot cocoa rolled up into a nutritious breakfast. Enjoy!
We love steel cut oats forever and ever, and you will too! From these hot cocoa oats to these creamy coconut steel cut oats and even these overnight steel cut oats, this nutritious breakfast option can’t be beat!
Oatmeal fans, this recipe is for you! Introducing our hot cocoa steel-cut oats –think if hot cocoa and oatmeal had a baby. This recipe features steel cut oats, cocoa powder, almond milk, and maple syrup. It’s also completely made in the crockpot for a hands-off approach to breakfast!
The rundown: simply combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-4 hours.
What do you need for hot cocoa steel cut oats?
- Steel cut oats
- Cocoa powder
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Almond Milk
- Maple syrup
Can I add protein powder?
Feel free to add a few scoops of your favorite chocolate protein powder. We recommend adding around 1/2 cup more almond milk if you choose to do this.
Can I use a different milk?
Any kind of milk will work for this recipe. Try oat or soy.
Can I use quick-cooking steel cut oats?
For this recipe method, we do not recommend quick-cooking steel cut oats as the liquid to oats ratio is different.
Stovetop Directions
We also tested this recipe on the stovetop in case you were hoping to speed the cooking time up!
- Add all of the ingredients into a medium pot.
- Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and let your oats simmer. Be on standby because you’ll need to stir your oats every so often so that they don’t stick to the pot.
How to Serve these Oats
We loved serving these oats in a mug with a few marshmallows just like classic hot chocolate. I’ve personally eaten these oats topped with banana and peanut butter for another delicious option.
Storage
We recommend storing your steel-cut oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This recipe will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days — perfect for meal prep breakfasts for the week!
To reheat: transfer the oats back into a pot and add a splash of milk. Heat over medium heat until hot. Add as much milk as needed.
More of our Favorite…
Steel Cut Oats Recipes
- Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- Creamy Coconut Steel Cut Oats
- 10-Minute Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- Maple Cinnamon Crockpot Steel Cut Oats
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Hot Cocoa Steel Cut Oats
These Hot Cocoa Steel Cut Oats made completely in the slow cooker are truly the most perfect winter breakfast! All the things you love about hot cocoa rolled up into a nutritious breakfast. Enjoy!
Prep:5 minutes minutes
Cook:4 hours hours
Total:4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Fat 6
Carbs 43
Protein 8
Yield: 6
Print Rate
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups steel-cut oatmeal
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup maple syrup*
- 6 cups unsweetened plain almond milk
Instructions
First, spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Then, place all ingredients in slow cooker and whisk until most of the cocoa powder has disolved.
Cover and cook on high for 2-4 hours, stirring every 30-60 minutes to prevent sticking. You know your steel cut oats are done cooking after the majority of the liquid has absorbed and the oats have become chewy.
Top with mini marshmallows or chocolate chips, and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Maple syrup: option to add more maple syrup once the steel cut oatmeal is done cooking. 1/4 cup maple syrup will give you more of a dark chocolate flavor, so if you want it sweeter, feel free to add more!
- Due to the potential for sticking in slow cooker, we don’t recommend making this recipe overnight, or unattended when it cannot be stirred regularly.
Watch It
Nutrition facts
Calories: 253kcal Carbohydrates: 43g Protein: 8g Fat: 6g Fiber: 9g Sugar: 8g
Author: Emily Richter
Similar recipes:
Maple Cinnamon Crockpot Steel Cut Oats
Creamy Coconut Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
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Court
Posted on 12/5/2023
I can’t even believe these are breakfast — they taste JUST like hot cocoa. Excellent work, FFF team!
Reply
Jack
Posted on 12/5/2023
these are awesome! so decadent
Reply
Sarah
Posted on 12/19/2019
Do you not add the maple syrup until it is done cooking?
Reply
Lee Funke
Posted on 12/23/2019
Reply to Sarah
Add everything right at the beginning!
Reply
Karissa
Posted on 12/9/2019
Can I use regular milk instead of almond?
1
Reply
Beth
Posted on 12/8/2019
Recipe Rating :
Made this recipe it is amazing. So much like hot cocoa.
Reply
Lee Funke
Posted on 12/10/2019
Reply to Beth
Glad you loved it!!
Reply
Erin k
Posted on 12/8/2019
So excited to try this! Could you make it on the instant pot manual setting?
Reply
Lee Funke
Posted on 12/10/2019
Reply to Erin k
We haven’t tried this in the IP, but I’m sure you could modify it based on our IP Steel Cut Oats: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/10-minute-instant-pot-steel-cut-oats-video/
Reply
Kristin
Posted on 12/7/2019
This looks delicious! Could you substitute old fashioned oats instead?
Reply
Lee Funke
Posted on 12/8/2019
Reply to Kristin
Hey Kristin! The liquid ratio would be very different with rolled oats!
Reply
Posted on 12/7/2019
I love the idea of combining hot cocoa with oats! Such a delicious idea! 🙂
Reply
