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Set it and forget it...until the morning.
By
Samantha Leffler
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Samantha Leffler
Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture.
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Updated on February 23, 2022
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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?
17 Easy, Tasty Breakfast Recipes With Eggs
Keep reading for some slow cooker breakfast ideas that will make your mornings easier than ever!
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Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Slow Cooker Frittata
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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.
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Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Pecan Monkey Bread
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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
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Maple, Pear, and Pecan Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oats
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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.
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Brown Rice Congee With Kimchee, Scallions, and 7-Minute Eggs
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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
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Slow Cooker Deep Dish Pizza
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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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