2 1/2 cups water 2 cups almond milk 1 cup applesauce (optional) 1 cup steel-cut oats 1 cup dried cherries, or more to taste 3 tablespoons brown sugar (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1. Stir water, almond milk, applesauce, steel-cut oats, dried cherries, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon together in a slow cooker. 2. Cook on Low for 8 hours to overnight.