9 Healthy Crockpot Recipes You Need to Try

The colder months are the perfect time of year to put your slow cooker recipes to good use! Slow cookers (also known as "Crockpots") make homemade meals a cinch—simply fill them with your ingredients in the morning, and by the time you get home from work, dinner is ready to be served! We rounded up some of the best healthy, hearty, and delicious slow cooker recipes you've got to try.

5. Easy Slow-Cooker Oatmeal

Slow cookers aren't just for dinner. "Steel cut oats are one of the best hot cereals but often get overlooked for a quicker breakfast," says Beth Bader, co-author of The Clean Plate Club. "Making these in a slow cooker the night before makes this healthy, hot breakfast ready when you are."

RELATED: Oatmeal isn't just for breakfast anymore. Try these savory oatmeal recipes for a creamy comforting dinner.

Ingredients:
1 cup steel-cut oats
1/3 cup chopped dates
2/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped dried figs
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped almonds or walnuts
4 cups water
1/2 cup half-and-half (or non-fat, plain yogurt)

Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together in a slow cooker before you head to bed. Set to LOW and cook for 8 to 9 hours. Stir to combine and serve.

This recipe yields 10 servings

Recipe courtesy of: The Cleaner Plate Club by Beth Bader and Ali Benjamin

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