Your slow cooker works overtime while you sleep!
Imagine waking up to Christmas breakfast already cooked or having dinner ready when you get home from holiday shopping! These 20+ crock pot Christmas recipes are game-changers for busy holiday schedules.
From overnight French toast casseroles to slow-cooked holiday roasts, spiced cider, and even desserts, your slow cooker becomes your secret weapon for stress-free entertaining.
Each recipe uses the 'set it and forget it' method - just add ingredients, turn it on, and walk away. Perfect for keeping food warm during parties, freeing up oven space, and ensuring you actually enjoy your own celebration instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
Why This Recipe Works
Sleep Through Cooking
Set your crock pot in the evening and wake up to a fully cooked meal. Perfect for Christmas breakfasts or dinner after holiday shopping.
One-Pot Magic
Eliminate dishwashing with single-pot recipes that cook everything together. From casseroles to stews, cleanup is a breeze.
Serves a Crowd
Most recipes feed 6-10 people, perfect for holiday gatherings. Adjust quantities easily for different group sizes.
Holiday Flavors
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberries, and other festive ingredients add holiday cheer without extra effort.
Crock Pot Christmas Breakfast Casserole
Wake up to warm, spiced breakfast!
Ingredients
- - 1 lb cubed bread (French or sourdough)
- - 6 large eggs
- - 1/2 cup milk
- - 1/4 cup brown sugar
- - 1 tsp cinnamon
- - 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
Prepare Base: Toss bread cubes with cranberries in a bowl.
💡 Use day-old bread for better texture
Whisk Wet Ingredients: Combine eggs, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
💡 Add a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor
Layer in Crock Pot: Place bread mixture in crock pot, then pour egg mixture over top.
💡 Press mixture down with a spatula to remove air pockets
Cook Overnight: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
💡 Turn to WARM setting 2 hours before serving
Nutrition (per serving):
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Bread
Use any crusty bread for best texture. Sub sourdough with brioche for richer flavor.
Substitutions: Pita bread, English muffins, or cornbread
Cranberries
Add festive tartness and color. Use raisins or dried cherries if unavailable.
Substitutions: Fresh cranberries (add 1/2 hour before serving)
Spices
Cinnamon and nutmeg create classic holiday flavors. Add a pinch of cloves for extra warmth.
Substitutions: Pumpkin pie spice blend
Pro Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Christmas Meals
Timing Guide
6-qt crock pot: 6-8 hrs 8-qt crock pot: 8-10 hrs 10-qt crock pot: 10-12 hrs
Temperature Safety
Always preheat crock pot before adding raw meat. Keep food above 165°F when serving.
Make-Ahead Tip
Prepare all ingredients the night before. Store in airtight containers in fridge until morning.
Conversion Tips
Convert oven recipes to crock pot by reducing temperature by 25°F and doubling cooking time.
20+ Set-It-and-Forget-It Recipes
Christmas Breakfast Casserole
Spiced French toast with cranberries and cinnamon
Slow-Cooked Ham
Honey-baked ham with brown sugar glaze
Herb-Roasted Turkey
Tender turkey with rosemary and thyme
Crock Pot Mac & Cheese
Cheesy pasta with bacon and green onions
Spiced Apple Cider
Warm cider with cinnamon sticks and cloves
Crock Pot Stuffing
Herbed bread stuffing with celery and onions
Christmas Chocolate Cake
Moist cake with cocoa and festive sprinkles
Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
Creamy potatoes with butter and milk
Crock Pot Apple Pie
Easy pie with cinnamon and nutmeg
Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce
Sweet-tart sauce with orange zest
Crock Pot Ham and Cheese Soup
Chunky soup with noodles and veggies
Crock Pot Meatloaf
Classic meatloaf with ketchup glaze
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Sweet apple butter with brown sugar
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Hearty soup with tender dumplings
Crock Pot Banana Pudding
Layered pudding with vanilla and bananas
Crock Pot Eggnog
Spiced holiday drink with rum
Crock Pot Apple Cider Donuts
Soft donuts with cinnamon sugar
Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup
Hearty soup with kidney beans and ham
Crock Pot Chocolate Pudding
Rich chocolate dessert
Crock Pot Apple Pie Filling
Sweet apple filling for pies or tarts
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Roasted turkey or ham
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Warm rolls
🍷 Drink Pairings:
Pair with spiced apple cider, mulled wine, or egg nog for a complete holiday meal.
Make-Ahead Instructions & Storage
Make-Ahead Tips
Prepare all ingredients the night before. Store in airtight containers in fridge until morning.
Refrigerator Storage
Cooked dishes will keep for 3-4 days in fridge. Reheat on WARM setting for 2 hours.
Freezer Storage
Most recipes freeze well for 2-3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating Instructions
For best results, reheat on LOW setting for 2-3 hours. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
Q: Can I cook on HIGH overnight?
A: No, cooking on HIGH for 8 hours can overcook and dry out dishes. Always use LOW for set-and-forget cooking.
Q: How to prevent burning?
A: Ensure liquid covers at least half the ingredients. Add water or broth if mixture looks dry.
Q: Can I use frozen ingredients?
A: Yes, but add frozen ingredients 2 hours before cooking time ends. Check food safety guidelines for meat.
Q: How to adjust for altitude?
A: Increase cooking time by 1-2 hours at high altitudes. Check internal temperature with thermometer.
Final Thoughts
With these 20+ crock pot Christmas recipes, you'll have time to enjoy the holidays while your meals cook themselves. From breakfast to dessert, these set-it-and-forget-it recipes make holiday cooking a breeze.
For best Pinterest visibility, post this main dish pin as part of a complete meal series over 5-7 days: anchor main dish first, followed by complementary sides, finishing with a dessert completion pin.
