Here's a puzzle we face every morning. Moms want their kids to have a healthy, home-cooked breakfast to start the school day, and they'd also love for the littles to be able to handle serving it to themselves. But A) we don't have time to whip up a hot breakfast before work and school, and B) the best the kids can do on their own is pour a bowl of cereal or toast a piece of bread or a frozen waffle.
For the busy mom, some early-morning stress (and guilt) needs to be alleviated without always resorting to milk and cereal. The Crock-Pot can be a mom's best friend here. Slow cookers are pretty inexpensive to buy, make huge quantities of food, and are set-it-and-forget-it easy.
The best part? Kids will love a warm and hearty breakfast they can easily spoon into a bowl before sitting down to eat (or, perhaps more likely, spoon into a to-go container on their way to the bus). We've collected warm egg casseroles, creamy rice puddings, crisp breakfast potatoes, and much more into this rundown of the best and quickest Crock-Pot recipes. Most are perfect for getting a kid's school day off to a good start; others are more decadent treats that'd be great for a weekend morning (so maybe Mom can sleep in once in a while — hey, we can dream!). Simply prep one of these slow-cooker breakfast recipes the night before, and it'll be ready for the kids when they wake up.
Crock-Pot Egg Casserole with Bacon & Smoked Cheddar
What's that fragrant meaty, eggy smell? Oh yes, it's slow-cooker bacon, smoked cheddar, and egg casserole. Of course, regular cheddar or just about any other cheese that melts well works, too.
Overnight Crock-Pot Oatmeal Recipe
Don't get us started on how healthy and delicious this overnight Crock-Pot oatmeal sounds! It uses steel-cut oats, so it gets kids off to a smart start.
Crock-Pot Breakfast Casserole with Ham & Tater Tots
Mmm, cheesy tater tots with eggs and ham first thing in the morning — need we say more?
Gluten-Free Granola Crock-Pot Recipe
Yes, granola can be made without turning on the oven! This slow-cooker granola recipe happens to be gluten-free, but it's delicious for anyone, whether or not one abstains from gluten.
Creamy Orange Zest Rice Pudding Crock-Pot Recipe
Crock-Pots and rice pudding were practically made for each other. This creamy orange zest rice pudding recipe calls for raw milk, but it will be just as tasty with regular milk (as well as almond or any other kind of milk).
Semi-Homemade Caramel Rolls Crock-Pot Recipe
These slow-cooker caramel rolls sound almost too decadent to eat for breakfast (but we will anyway!). And they're so easy to assemble — ingredients are just refrigerator biscuits, brown sugar, butter, and nuts (optional). Kids can grab a piece of fruit on the side.
Fluffy Crock-Pot French Toast Recipe
This Crock-Pot French toast is a take on bread pudding … in other words, dessert for breakfast. Shh, we won't tell!
French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Bananas Crock-Pot Recipe
Who wouldn't want to wake up to Nutella French toast casserole with caramelized bananas?
Homemade Crock-Pot Yogurt Recipe
Yes, homemade yogurt is a thing people make in a Crock-Pot. Serve it with granola and fruit for a super nutritious breakfast.
Apple Pie Oatmeal Crock-Pot Recipe
Who wouldn't love apple pie for breakfast? For something a wee bit healthier, though, there's this slow-cooker apple pie oatmeal. Yum!
Breakfast Potatoes Crock-Pot Recipe
Got potato fans in the family? These slow-cooker breakfast potatoes will please them. Plus, potatoes are a surprisingly healthy way to start the day.
Bread Pudding Crock-Pot Recipe
This is definitely verging on too-decadent-for-breakfast. But why not? Try this amazing recipe for slow-cooker bread pudding.
Bacon & Cheese Quiche Crock-Pot Recipe
Wow, Crock-Pot quiche — who knew? This recipe for bacon and cheese quiche creates a morning meal that kids should love.
Turtle Monkey Bread Crock-Pot Recipe
Who here loves monkey bread? US TOO. This recipe for slow-cooker turtle monkey bread creates a scrumptious sweet while the family sleeps.
Breakfast Quinoa Crock-Pot Recipe
Quinoa for breakfast? Why not! After all, it's high in protein and fiber. This Crock-Pot recipe for breakfast quinoa includes dates and pumpkin seeds, but add bananas and blueberries instead if those are household faves.
Cheesy Grits Crock-Pot Recipe
For a Southern-style breakfast that's ready when the alarm goes off, here's a Crock-Pot grits recipe. Sprinkle this savory dish with cheese to make it extra indulgent.
Cheesy Breakfast Potatoes Crock-Pot Recipe
Everything anybody ever wanted in a savory morning meal is in this cheesy breakfast potatoes Crock-Pot recipe from Damn Delicious. That includes protein from the sausage.
Biscuits & Gravy Casserole Crock-Pot Recipe
Another Southern-style breakfast, this biscuits and gravy Crock-Pot casserole from B-Inspired Mama is perfect for leisurely mornings (but works for busy ones too!).
Blueberry Breakfast Casserole Crock-Pot Recipe
Bursting with berries, this Crock-Pot blueberry breakfast casserole from Recipes That Crock is so good, it will make muffins pale in comparison.
Quinoa Energy Bars Crock-Pot Recipe
An ideal breakfast-on-the-go option, these quinoa energy bars from Food Faith Fitness are full of super nutritious ingredients like chia seeds and almond butter. They're even gluten free!
Breakfast Burritos Crock-Pot Recipe
No need to get fast food on the way to school when there's this easy recipe for slow-cooker breakfast burritos from Pretty Providence.
Crock-Pot Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
A slice of this bright, citrusy Crock-Pot lemon poppy seed bread from Moms with CrockPots offers a taste of summer all year round!
Chocolate Chip Scones Crock-Pot Recipe
Skip the bakery and make these slow-cooker chocolate chip scones from Baking Queen 74, which are far superior to anything store-bought — and cheaper, too.
Crock-Pot Veggie Omelet Recipe
Packed with colorful, antioxidant-rich veggies, this Crock-Pot veggie omelet from Skinny Fitalicious is as nutritious as breakfast gets.
Crock-Pot Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Recipe
A healthier take on cinnamon buns, this Crock-Pot cinnamon roll oatmeal recipe from Moms with CrockPots will make the house smell divine.
Mexican Breakfast Casserole Crock-Pot Recipe
Spice up their morning with this Crock-Pot Mexican breakfast casserole from Betty Crocker (which isn't too spicy for palates preferring mild flavors).
Crock-Pot Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
There's just no end to the ways potatoes can be used for breakfast, and this hashbrown casserole from Chelsea's Messy Apron is one of the best ways of all. Frozen hashbrowns make this Crock-Pot recipe extra easy!
Crock-Pot Overnight Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Carrot cake is the healthiest of cakes, right? So that must make this dessert-inspired carrot cake oatmeal from Foxes Love Lemons healthy, too (seriously, it is).
Classic Coffee Cake Crock-Pot Recipe
Just because kids don't drink coffee yet doesn't mean they won't love this classic coffee cake from Betty Crocker, which can be made in a Crock-Pot. Moms and dads will want a side of java.
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Crock-Pot Recipe
Sweet dreams are made of these slow-cooker strawberry cinnamon rolls from Life Made Sweeter. Strawberry season just got even better.
Blueberry Banana Bread Crock-Pot Recipe
Even more amazing than traditional banana-only variety (and even easier to make), this Crock-Pot blueberry banana bread from Baking Queen 74 will become a breakfast staple for sure.
Hot Chocolate Oatmeal Crock-Pot Recipe
Maybe this should be a "once in a while" kind of breakfast, but this Crock-Pot hot chocolate oatmeal from All She Cooks has to be tried at least a few (dozen) times.
Frittata with Kale, Red Peppers & Feta Crock-Pot Recipe
This Crock-Pot frittata with kale, red pepper, and feta from Kalyn's Kitchen is so tasty, kids won't even mind the leafy greens.
Orange Rolls Crock-Pot Recipe
We have orange juice at breakfast, so why not add these Crock-Pot orange rolls from Kevin and Amanda? There's got to be some vitamin C in there somewhere.
Baked Apples Crock-Pot Recipe
These slow-cooker baked apples from The Magical Slow Cooker are proof that dessert and breakfast are basically the same thing. Good thing the fruit makes it healthy!
Crock-Pot Scrambled Eggs Recipe
These Crock-Pot scrambled eggs from Recipes That Crock just might be the fluffiest ever, and they'll already be good to go when everybody rolls out of bed.
Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal Crock-Pot Recipe
Elvis probably would have loved this Crock-Pot peanut butter banana oatmeal from Smile Sandwich, and so will the kids!
Chocolate Raspberry French Toast Casserole Crock-Pot Recipe
Any day that starts out with this Crock-Pot chocolate raspberry French toast casserole from Savory Nothings is bound to turn out to be pretty amazing.
Italian Breakfast Casserole Crock-Pot Recipe
Turn the usual breakfast stuff (potatoes, eggs, cheese) into this Italian breakfast casserole from My Recipe Magic by adding bell peppers, mozzarella cheese, and spices.
Maple Syrup & Raisin Porridge Crock-Pot Recipe
Lots of kids are intrigued by the idea of porridge thanks to a certain story about bears and a curious little girl. This Crock-Pot maple syrup and raisin porridge from Jam and Clotted Cream will live up to all their expectations and then some.
