Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

Table of Contents

How To Make Slow Cooker Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Shopping list Process Serving suggestions Storing Leftover Oatmeal Cookie Dough Oatmeal Hints & Hacks 📖 Recipe Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe Equipment Ingredients Instructions Notes Nutrition FAQs References

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Gingerbread cookie overnight oatmeal is a delicious way to start your day. Healthy steel-cut oats infused with the wonderful flavors of fresh gingerbread cookies. A breakfast worth getting out of bed for!

Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (1)

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How To Make Slow Cooker Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal
Process
Serving suggestions
Storing Leftover Oatmeal
📖 Recipe

One of the best days ever was the day I realized that I'm not the only person who is obsessed with cookie dough! So many places now sell edible cookie dough and it is about time!

Back in the day, we all just scraped what we could from the bottom of the cookie dough bowl. (Even though we all know we aren't supposed to eat anything with uncooked eggs). Honestly, nothing tastes quite as good as that (but don't try it! It's not worth risking becoming sick!)

In my pursuit of a healthier cookie dough-like treat, I have discovered that, when done right, oatmeal can come darn close! It's a matter of getting the flavors right. This recipe is a perfect example.

Is it as good as some fresh, just mixed gingerbread cookie dough? How could it be?? But, it is much healthier and much more socially acceptable to eat for breakfast!

Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (2)

How To Make Slow Cooker Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal

Shopping list

To make this dish, you will need:

steel cut oats - do not attempt this with quick oats!
cinnamon - powder
nutmeg - powder
cloves
ginger - powder
molasses
brown sugar - or sugar substitute such as Swerve
vanilla - pure vanilla extract is always my vanilla of choice
salt
4 cups of plant based milk or water

Note: Exact quantities can be found in the recipe card below

Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (3)

Process

If using a slow cooker liner, placing that in your pot is the first (and often forgotten!) step. If you prefer not to use a liner, spray your slow cooker with some sort of non-stick agent. Add everything except the milk/water to your slow cooker and mix to combine. Add milk or water and stir all together.

At this point, you will probably notice some of the spices starting to float and not really mixing in well. That is normal. However, if you find large clumps of spices, you can try to break them up with the back of a spoon to help evenly distribute.

Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (4)

Set your crockpot to warm (not low) and it is time for bed! In the morning, you will wake up to a house that smells like gingerbread cookies! A thick skin or even a burnt-like layer will probably be on top of your oatmeal (this varies from crockpot to crockpot). Just give it a good stir and you will be set.

Serving suggestions

While this oatmeal will be very flavorful, it is not overly sweet. It will also be quite thick. If you prefer it sweet (like I do) you can add brown sugar (or a brown sugar alternative such Swerve or golden monk fruit).

To thin it out, you can add some milk or plant-based milk. To make it really special, you can add cream, coconut cream, or another dairy-free cream alternative (like nutpods).

Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (5)

Other great add-ins are maple syrup, agave, powdered sugar, butter (or plant-based substitute), cinnamon, nuts, bananas, and chocolate chips. Adding a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter is another awesome add-on! You can add it to your hot oatmeal and let it melt right in!

If you are serving this on a holiday or other special occasion, it is great garnished with an actual gingerbread cookie or even a candy cane!

Storing Leftover Oatmeal

Slow Cooker gingerbread overnight oatmeal is great eaten hot or cold. Leftovers will store really well in the refrigerator. I refrigerate leftovers in small, individual serving-size containers. This makes for quick weekday grab-and-go breakfasts.

Be sure to use microwavable containers if you plan to quickly heat your oatmeal. Gingerbread oatmeal will store perfectly in your refrigerator for 5-6 days.

Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (6)

Cookie Dough Oatmeal Hints & Hacks

Despite its name, gingerbread cookie overnight oatmeal is not an overly sweet dish. You may want to keep some sweetener nearby for any guest or family member who wants to dial up the sweetness a bit. Adding bananas can help to sweeten it up in a healthy way.
While cooking, this can form a skin or even a crust on top. You can scoop it off and toss it out if you like, but if you stir it, it will dissolve right back in.
I always recommend aslow cooker linerfor easy clean-up. This is, of course, an optional step.
This recipe calls forsteel cut oats.I would not recommend any other type of oats due to the long cooking time.
Looking to increase the nutritional value of this dish? Try adding someflax seeds or nut butterinto the mix!
If you want to add chocolate chips: be sure to let your oatmeal cool a bit before attempting to stir in chips. Hot oatmeal will cause chocolate chips to melt (although that’s not necessarily bad!!).
In the market for a new slow cooker?Here is the one I am currently lusting after.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases and affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

📖 Recipe

Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe

Gingerbread cookie dough oatmeal is a delicious way to start your day. Healthy steel cut oats infused with the wonderful flavors of fresh gingerbread cookies. A breakfast worth getting out of bed for!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Equipment

▢
3.5 quart slow cooker or larger
▢
measuring spoons and cups
▢
slow cooker liner (optional)

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup steel cut oats I would not substitute for any other kind of oats as the long sitting time will make them mushy.
▢ 2 tablespoon molasses
▢ 2 tablespoon brown sugar
▢ 1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
▢ ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
▢ ½ teaspoon ground ginger
▢ ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
▢ pinch salt
▢ 4 cups plant based milk or water I prefer almond-cashew milk

Instructions

place slow cooker liner into slow cooker, if using. Otherwise, spray slow cooker with a non-stick spray,
add oats, molasses, brown sugar and all spices to slow cooker and stir to combine
1 cup steel cut oats, 2 tablespoon molasses, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, pinch salt, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Add liquid and stir well to mix. Some of the spices will float on top and not seem to mix well. This is typical, just try to break up any bigger clumps of cinnamon that may be floating around.
4 cups plant based milk or water
cover and set to WARM for overnight cooking. This can go anywhere from 8-12 hours.
Prior to serving, stir to mix cooked ingredients. (see above for serving suggestions!)
Enjoy!!

Notes

Note: nutritional information was calculated based on use of almond milk

Nutrition

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Have you tried this recipe? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Lazy Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

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Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

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Is it better to use water or milk for overnight oats? ›

The addition of milk to overnight oats creates a creamy texture whereas water won't add any creaminess but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We can compensate for the lack of creaminess and flavor with other nutritious ingredients like mashed banana, plant-based yogurt, or nut butter.

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What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

When combined with milk or yoghurt, overnight oats can be a source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function. The fibre and nutrients in oats are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. They can help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health.

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What's the best milk for overnight oats? ›

Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture. Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.

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What are the disadvantages of overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.

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Which is healthier, oatmeal or overnight oats? ›

When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

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Why should we not eat oats at night? ›

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

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Do you stir overnight oats before putting in the fridge? ›

Stir equal parts old-fashioned rolled oats and a liquid such as milk in a jar or container with a lid. If you're adding any sweeteners or fruit like berries, stir those in now as well. Step two: Cover and chill. Cover the container or seal the jar's lid and store in the refrigerator overnight.

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Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats are rich in carbohydrates and a fibre called beta-glucan, which helps in the slow release of glucose into the bloodstream. However, consuming oats in isolation and in the morning may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels due to the Dawn effect.

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What happens if you add too much milk to overnight oats? ›

Some oats will be very soft while others might still be chewy. On the other hand, if you add too much milk the overnight oats will have a soupy oat mixture because the oats can only absorb so much liquid.

Should overnight oats be runny or thick? ›

Instead you'll have something more like cement. Yet, use too much liquid and you'll end up with soup. Follow this tip: Stick with a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats when making overnight oats to achieve a spoonable, porridge-like consistency.

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How many hours is best for overnight oats? ›

Waiting overnight allows the oats and chia seeds to fully hydrate and soften the oatmeal. We recommend waiting four to five hours for the best experience, but some customers do enjoy eating it immediately for a more textured, chewy oatmeal.

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What makes overnight oats better? ›

Resistant starch is high in oats. When soaked overnight, the starch in the oats is naturally broken down, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed by the oats. This causes the oatmeal to swell up and absorb the liquid through every pore, making it a healthy and filling breakfast meal on its own.

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Are oats overnight actually healthy? ›

Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fibre and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

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Why are my overnight oats not absorbing? ›

If you don't give the oats enough time, they won't properly absorb all of the milk. Not stirring before serving: It's normal for a thin layer of milk to float to the top of the jar you made the overnight oats in. Make sure to give the jar a good stir before serving.

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What is best to soak oats in overnight? ›

Soak in milk

Go with regular or choose an alternative milk if you prefer the flavour, or if you're vegan. Soak the oats overnight until soft and creamy.