10 slow-cooker breakfasts you'll dream about all night

Whether you're hosting a brunch party crowd or just feeding your family in the morning, making a big breakfast spread isn't always easy. Why not put your best slow cooker or Crock-Pot to work overnight?

Simply whip up some ingredients and set the device before bedtime, and when you wake up, guess what? You'll have a scrumptious breakfast ready to go!

1. Slow-Cooker Semi-Homemade Caramel Rolls

These sticky-sweet caramel rolls are absolutely perfect with your morning coffee — and the fact that you can throw them together in 5 minutes flat is a totally great bonus.

2. Slow-Cooker Nutella French Toast with Caramelized Banana

The best-ever crêpe fillings (Nutella and bananas, duh) get spooned over this decadent bread pudding-like breakfast.

3. Slow-Cooker Breakfast Casserole

Luscious layers of hash browns, bacon, cheese and gently cooked eggs make this casserole into a mash-up of a crust-less quiche and your favorite diner breakfast.

4. Slow-Cooker Egg, Spinach and Ham Casserole

One of our favorite instant breakfasts — Greek yogurt — gives the eggs in this casserole a sublimely custardy texture.

5. Overnight Slow-Cooker Oatmeal Cinnamon-Apple

Apple pie for breakfast? Kind of, but this oatmeal is much healthier ... and is incredibly easy to put together.

6. Slow-Cooker Creamy Steel-Cut Oats

Oatmeal gets a tropical makeover with rich, full-fat (and, of course, dairy-free) coconut milk.

7. Slow-Cooker Breakfast Quinoa

This date-sweetened porridge topped with pumpkin seeds is packed with protein and filling fiber. It's basically the breakfast of champions — make that superheroes.

8. Crock-Pot Pumpkin Butter

All you need are a few pantry staples to pull off this decadent homemade pumpkin spread. It's perfect for swirling into yogurt or spreading on toast or muffins.

9. Slow-Cooker Black Bread

Coffee and cocoa give these sweet, puffy rolls their signature color. They're excellent with your favorite butter or homemade jam.

10. Slow-Cooker Yogurt

Who needs a yogurt-maker when you've got a slow-cooker? This recipe is so easy, even a preschooler can make it.

This article was originally published on March 14, 2014.