Savory slow cooker oatmeal with bacon, scallions and cheddar

Ingredients for Slow cooker savory oatmeal with bacon, scallions, and cheddar

• Butter, for greasing

• 120 g uncooked steel-cut oats

• Kosher salt

• 225 g thick-cut streaky bacon

• 5 spring onions, trimmed, light green and white parts thinly sliced, plus dark green parts, sliced for topping

• 225 g sharp cheddar, grated

• Freshly ground black pepper

• Fried or poached eggs, for topping (1 per person; optional)

• 5–7 quart slow cooker

How to make Slow cooker savory oatmeal with bacon, scallions, and cheddar

1. Generously butter a 5- to 7-litre slow cooker. Add the oats, 1 litre of water, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours, followed by WARM for 6–7 hours, until the oatmeal is thick and tender.

2. Place the bacon in a cold large frying pan and set the heat to medium. Cook, flipping occasionally, until the bacon has rendered much of its fat and is deeply browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then coarsely chop. You can prepare this just before serving the oatmeal or the day before; if preparing in advance, store the crisped bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before using.

3. Once the oatmeal is cooked, stir in the chopped bacon, the white and light green parts of the scallions, and about three-quarters of the cheese (approximately 170 g). Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if necessary and a few grinds of pepper.

4. Serve the oatmeal in bowls, topped with the remaining cheese, the dark green slices of scallion, and eggs, if desired.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.