5 Slow Cooker Breakfast Recipes for Busy Mornings

Set it and forget it...until the morning.

Brown Rice Congee with Kimchee, Scallions, and 7-Minute Eggs: slow cooker breakfast
Photo: BRIE PASSANO

As the old adage goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, it's also the meal that is most commonly skipped, be it for lack of time, lack of appetite, or the understandable desire to squeeze in just a little bit more sleep before you need to start your day. And even if you do manage to eat breakfast on a regular basis, the mornings are often too hectic to whip up a vegetable-filled omelet or a picture-perfect stack of pancakes, so you're typically forced to resort to something quick and easy, such as a granola bar or a bowl of cereal.

However, if you're in possession of an ever-popular slow cooker, you're in luck. The beloved appliance that can make chicken tostadas and chipotle short ribs with little more than the touch of a button, can also prepare several breakfast options. Since the slow cooker cooks food, well, slowly, you can prep everything before you go to bed and let the slow cooker do all the work while you get some shuteye. By the time you wake up the next morning, your meal will be ready to eat. This time-saving hack is especially useful if you're preparing breakfast for a family, as slow cooker meals typically yield four to six servings. And if you aren't feeding a big group, you can eat the leftovers for the rest of the week. Easy enough, right?

Keep reading for some slow cooker breakfast ideas that will make your mornings easier than ever!

01 of 05

Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Slow Cooker Frittata

Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Hashbrown Frittata
Making a frittata in a slow cooker ensures it is creamy and custardy and far from dry. We even saved you the step of making a side dish and threw the waffle fries straight into the mix. Needless to say, this is a crowd-pleasing brunch dish. Get the Recipe:Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Slow Cooker Frittata. Brie Passano

Yes, you can make a frittata in the slow cooker! This version of the breakfast staple has a waffle fry base (hello, gorgeous!) and is topped with an egg mixture that's rich, custardy, and packed with flavor. As it turns out, cooking eggs low and slow yields some pretty delicious results. The savory sausage and cheddar filling isn't bad either.

02 of 05

Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Pecan Monkey Bread

Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Monkey Bread on a serving platter
Thanks to the magic of the slow cooker, you can fill the house with the scent of this decadent breakfast treat while you sleep. But, note: if you plan to serve it immediately after cooking rather than keeping it warm, reduce the water called for in the recipe to 1/3 cup. Get the recipe. Heather Meldrom

Monkey bread is basically French toast's fun cousin. This sweet take is made with refrigerated biscuits (another time-saving trick!) and is rolled in a salty and sweet mixture that includes brown sugar, coarse salt, and ground cinnamon. Balance it out with some plain Greek yogurt on the side, which will add some protein to your first meal of the day.

RELATED: The 4 Healthiest Foods to Eat for Breakfast, According to a Registered Dietitian

03 of 05

Maple, Pear, and Pecan Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oats

Two bowls of maple, pear, and pecan steel-cut oats displayed on a table with two spoons.
Instead of standing over the stove stirring your steel-cut oats, throw them in the slow cooker and let them cook overnight. The result is a deliciously spiced, creamy oatmeal that you can top with more peas and toasted pecans. Get the Recipe:Maple, Pear, and Pecan Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oats. Brie Passano

If you love restaurant-quality oatmeal, all you need to do is toss some steel-cut oats in your slow cooker. The appliance cooks the oats low and slow, creating a hearty, satisfying breakfast you can top with anything you like. This recipe calls for maple syrup, sliced pears, and chopped pecans, but feel free to top it with whatever fruits and nuts you have on hand.

04 of 05

Brown Rice Congee With Kimchee, Scallions, and 7-Minute Eggs

Brown Rice Congee
The runny yolks add richness to this slow-cooked congee. Plus, it’s easy to make soft-boiled eggs for a crowd. Simply bring a large pot of water to a boil, add one egg per guest, and cook exactly 7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, plunge into a bowl of ice water, then peel, halve, and divide amongst serving bowls. Get the Recipe:Brown Rice Congee With Kimchee, Scallions, and 7-Minute Eggs. Brie Passano

Congee is a rice porridge that's popular in Asia, and frequently eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. While the rice typically takes an hour to cook on the stovetop, preparing it in the slow cooker helps break it down and give it a deliciously creamy texture. This version, which is ideal for savory breakfast lovers, is topped with kimchee (a mixture of salted and fermented vegetables), scallion greens, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of tamari. Add a soft-boiled egg for an extra protein boost.

RELATED: 11 High-Protein Vegan Breakfast Ideas That Will Keep You Full Until Lunch

05 of 05

Slow Cooker Deep Dish Pizza

SLow Cooker Deep Dish Pizza
Victor Protasio

The slow cooker is perfect for making deep-dish pizza, and if you top it with some apropos early morning toppings, like a fried egg, bacon bits, and some veggies, you've got a savory breakfast pizza that the whole family will love. When making your pizza dough in the slow cooker, just make sure you place a long piece of paper towel under the lid before you close it. This will help absorb the steam that's created while the dough is cooking.

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