Vegan Slow Cooker Breakfast Recipes for the Whole Family

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it can also be the easiest to prepare when you incorporate slow cooker breakfast recipes into your family's weekend routine. Imagine waking up to the smell of warm cinnamon oatmeal or a savory vegan potato-based breakfast casserole, shuffling downstairs in your pj's, and enjoying a nutritious meal that's ready to eat.

Even if you prefer breakfast for dinner, a slow cooker can do all the work for you before you get home from work with these easy breakfast recipes. Now all you need is a volunteer to do the dishes and you'll have a stress-free, nutritious, and satisfying meal from start to finish.

Banana Walnut Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the easiest slow cooker breakfast recipes to prepare. I have always been a big banana-nut fan, but this dish is super easy to adapt to any fruit and nut combination.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 3 cups almond milk
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Place all of the ingredients into your slow cooker and give it a stir, making sure that all of the oats are coated in almond milk. Cook on low for approximately two hours. Serve plain or with a fresh fruit topping buffet.

Vegan Breakfast Casserole

Not only are breakfast casseroles delicious, but they are also a protein-packed way to start the morning. This is another very adaptable recipe that can accommodate your favorite flavor combinations. I'm using zucchini, spinach, and red pepper, but you could easily give this a Southwestern kick by swapping in tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers:

• 1 package firm tofu
• 2 lbs red potatoes, sliced
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp turmeric (optional)

Place the zucchini, red pepper, and spinach at the bottom of the slow cooker. Drain the tofu and crumble it on top of the veggies. Sprinkle the turmeric over the tofu (this is primarily to give the tofu the color of traditional scrambled eggs). Stir the tofu into the vegetables, making sure everything is mixed together. Add a bit of salt and pepper. Top with sliced potatoes and a little more salt and pepper. Cook on low for approximately ten hours. Serve with juice and toast.

Baked Apple Breakfast

This is the perfect recipe—compliments to Skinny Chef—to make use of freshly picked apples in the fall, and it also fills your home with inviting aromas. Baked apples are also a great dish to serve when you're entertaining for a fast, delicious breakfast that feels as decadent as dessert. Be sure to use a soy-based margarine if you want to keep this recipe vegan.

Perfect Polenta

Just like oatmeal, polenta (Italian cornmeal porridge) is an ideal dish to make in the slow cooker. It is incredibly adaptable and can be made savory or sweet just by changing a few ingredients. This delicious variety uses almonds and dried pears as toppings, but the flavor combinations are only limited by your imagination. Polenta often comes in pre-cooked tubes or boxed mix, and this recipe calls for the dry boxed form. You can also substitute coarse, stone-ground cornmeal and a pinch of salt.

First, round up:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup polenta
• 1 cup dried pears
• 1 cup sliced almonds

Combine the water, orange juice, almond milk, and polenta into the slow cooker. Stir until everything is combined. Cook on low for approximately seven hours, stirring occasionally. To serve, top with dried pears and sliced almonds.

Starting your day and filling your belly have never been easier thanks to simple slow cooker breakfast recipes. Enjoy more quality time with family and friends while letting this magical appliance do all the work. If you are interested in more speedy meals, check out our 30-minute recipes that are quick, healthy, and delicious!

Do you have any slow cooker tips? Share your advice on Twitter! #GoodMatters

Image source: Pixabay | Pxhere | Flickr

The views and opinions expressed in any guest post featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Tom's of Maine.