• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Bagel Breakfast Casserole

    Published: Nov 3, 2019 · Modified: Mar 8, 2023 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 2 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    slow cooker breakfast casserole
    slow cooker breakfast casserole
    slow cooker breakfast casserole on a white plate
    slow cooker breakfast casserole on a white plate
    slow cooker breakfast casserole
    slow cooker breakfast casserole

    bagel casserole on a white tray

    Slow cooker breakfast casserole is like a bagel sandwich you can cut into slices. It is made with layers of sliced bagel, cheese, browned sausage, and eggs. Combine everything in your slow cooker at night, and it’s ready first thing in the morning. 

    With colder mornings and holiday entertaining on the horizon, I love a good brunch recipe. Even better if I can do all the work ahead of time and have no cooking (and very few dishes) in the morning. I learned that it was possible to make a breakfast casserole in the slow cooker thanks to The Complete Slow Cooker (from America's Test Kitchen), and I loved the idea! Wake up to a delicious, savory, breakfast casserole ready-to-serve? I'm in!

    Bagels work great as a base for a slow cooker egg casserole. They are sturdy enough to hold their shape and texture even when slow cooked all night. Just be sure to follow the instructions below for adding a foil layer to the outside of your slow cooker. This will prevent the side of the casserole that is closest to the heating element from over-cooking.

    bagels and spices in slow cooker

    Why Make Breakfast Casserole In the Slow Cooker

    The answer is easy. Because it will cook overnight and be ready in the morning. No need to wake up early to prepare the casserole or get it in the oven. In addition, the low temperature of the slow cooker helps to keep the eggs in the casserole from over-cooking. They get a tender, almost custard-like texture that balances well with the savory sausage and the chewiness of the bagels.

    adding milk to bagels in the slow cooker

    Ingredients

    • Breakfast Sausage - Be sure to get loose sausage, not patties for this. Some come in mild or spicy, so be sure to get the version that fits your spice preference.
    • Bagels - You’ll need 4 large bagels or about 6 of the smaller variety that come from the bread aisle at the grocery store. Either way, the bagels should be about 16 oz in total weight. Everything bagels add great savory flavor, but absolutely any flavor of bagel will work. Slice them into 2-inch pieces. 
    • Shredded Cheese - Any type of shredded cheese will work.  I like the flavor of Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or any shredded cheddar in this dish. 
    • Butter - Softened butter is needed to rub around the bottom of the slow cooker and the foil collar that lines the sides (see below). This will help keep the casserole from sticking and gives the casserole golden brown edges. 
    • Eggs - Use large eggs.
    • Half and Half - Half and half has just the right amount of creamy richness for the filling of this dish. You can also use a combination of 2 cups Milk and 1 cup Heavy Cream.
    • Everything Bagel Seasoning - Totally optional, but if you want to make this casserole a fun twist on an everything bagel, sprinkle some of this seasoning on top. (I buy it at Trader Joe’s.)

    browning sausage in a skillet

    slow cooker breakfast casserole on a white tray

    How (and why) to Make a Foil Collar for the Slow cooker

    The challenge with baking right inside the bowl of the slow cooker is that most slow cookers get very hot on the side that’s closest to the heating element. The fix is easy. A layer of foil between the food and the heat helps to insulate it from the high heat.

    To make a foil collar, take a sheet of foil that is long enough to wrap around the inside of the machine and fold it into thirds. Place it inside the slow cooker and assemble the casserole inside the foil. This will prevent the sides of the casserole from burning and will also make it easier to remove the casserole when it’s done cooking.

    bagels in a foil collar in the slow cooker

    How to Remove the Casserole from the Slow Cooker

    If it seems like it would be difficult to get the casserole out of the slow cooker, not to worry. It just takes 3 easy steps. The foil collar helps it to slide out.

    Step 1: Lift the slow cooker bowl out of the slow cooker. Place a lightweight cutting board on top of the slow cooker bowl and carefully flip both over so that the cutting board is on the bottom. The casserole will fall gently out onto the cutting board.

    cutting board on the bowl of the slow cooker

    Step 2: Remove the foil from the casserole and place the serving platter you plan to use on top of it. 

    Bagel casserole upside down on a cutting board

    a white tray inverted on bagel casserole

    Step 3: Just as you did in step 1, flip the casserole over again, leaving it facing up on the serving platter. 

    slow cooker breakfast casserole on a white plate

    That's it! Ready to serve.

    Other Breakfast and Brunch Ideas

    • Vegetable Quiche with Spinach and Sweet Potatoes - This easy, vegetarian quiche recipe can be made ahead and easily doubled to feed a crowd.
    • Spicy Breakfast Strada with Chorizo - With bell peppers and green onions for a bit of red and green, this is a Christmas morning favorite at our house. (But is great served for brunch year-round.)
    • Light and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles - We keep these 100% whole wheat waffles in the freezer and serve them throughout the week, but topped with fresh berries, maple syrup, and even a bit of fresh whipped cream, they make a great special-occasion breakfast!
    • Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos - Even though these are filled with eggs, ham, and vegetables, they are not just for breakfast. They make a great lunch or easy dinner too. We keep a batch in the freezer for busy weeknights.

    Favorite Tools

    • 6-quart Slow Cooker - This recipe is designed to fit inside a 6-quart slow cooker. You can use a round or oval-shaped version. 
    • Lodge Cast Iron Skillet - Cast iron is great for browning the sausage in this dish.

    bagel casserole cut into pieces on a white plate

    slow cooker breakfast casserole
    Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Slow Cooker Bagel Breakfast Casserole

    Slow cooker bagel breakfast casserole is like a bagel sandwich you can cut into slices. It is made with layers of sliced bagels, cheese, browned sausage, and eggs. Combine everything in your slow cooker at night, and it’s ready first thing in the morning.
    This recipe should be made in a 6-quart slow cooker.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time8 hrs
    Total Time8 hrs 30 mins
    Course: Breakfast, Brunch
    Keyword: easy breakfast recipe, entertaining, Holiday recipe, overnight casserole, slow-cooker
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 495kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $8.75

    Equipment

    • 6-quart Slow Cooker
    • Cast Iron Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz Breakfast Sausage (loose sausage from the deli counter or sold in a roll
    • 3 tablespoon Butter, softened
    • 1 lb Bagels, sliced into 2-inch pieces (about 4 large bagels; any variety will work, I like sesame for a bit of texture on top of the casserole)
    • 6 oz Shredded Monterey Jack or Colby Jack Cheese (sub any type of shredded cheddar)
    • 10 large Eggs
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 3 cups Half and Half
    • 2 teaspoon Everything Bagel Seasoning (optional; see note)

    Instructions

    • Prepare a 6-quart slow cooker with a foil collar. Do this by folding a sheet of foil in thirds and wrapping it all the way around the inside of the bowl of the slow cooker.
    • In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the breakfast sausage until cooked through and browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
    • Transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to let it drain.
    • Rub the bottom of the slow cooker and the inside of the foil collar with softened butter.
    • Layer ⅓ of the bagel pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with ⅓ of the sausage, then ½ of the cheese. Continue those layers, finishing with sausage on top.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, and pepper. Add half and half and whisk until everything is evenly combined.
    • Pour egg mixture over the layered casserole.
    • Top with Everything Bagel Seasoning (if using).
    • Place two layers of paper towels underneath the slow cooker lid before you close the slow cooker. (The paper towels will absorb moisture that collects on the lid, preventing it from dripping down onto the casserole and making the top soggy.)
    • Cook on low for 4 hours and switch to warm for 4 hours. (Alternatively, you can cook this for 2 hours on high and leave it on warm for up to 4 hours. This is a good option if you want to make it early in the morning and have it ready for brunch later in the day.)
    • Remove the casserole by holding a cutting board on top of the slow cooker bowl and carefully flipping it over.
    • Then place a serving plate on the inverted casserole and flipping it over again. This will leave the casserole face-up on a serving plate.
    • Slice and serve!

    Notes

    Everything Bagel Seasoning is totally optional, but if you want to make this casserole a fun twist on an everything bagel, sprinkle some of this seasoning on top. (I buy it at Trader Joe’s.)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 288mg | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 317mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 807IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 2mg

    I had to share this picture of 15-month-old June that so perfectly captures her personality right now. This baby is full of love and hugs.

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Related

    « Sheet Pan Honey Dijon Chicken
    Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup »

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joy

      November 03, 2019 at 11:36 pm

      Wow! I love your magic to get the breakfast casserole out of the slow cooker and onto the serving plate. But the real reason I had to comment on this post is because of that picture of June. She is the cutest! How sweet that she loves to hug so much. That picture really made me smile.

      Reply
    2. Shuman

      January 03, 2020 at 6:33 am

      Now Egg Recipe will very easy by this and breakfast is yummy in my tummuy.
      Thanks.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • miso vegetable soup in a grey bowl
      Miso Vegetable Soup
    • lemongrass chicken and rice on a white tray
      Lemongrass Chicken
    • cauliflower baked ziti in a white oval baking dish
      Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Cauliflower
    • a round One-Bowl Chocolate Guinness Cake on a wooden tray
      Chocolate Irish Guinness Cake

    Trending Recipes

    • hand holding a chocolate chip cookie with a bite out of it
      Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • stir fry over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks
      Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • square image overnight oats in mason jars with berries on top
      Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • beef and broccoli stir fry on a white plate with chopsticks
      Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2023 Inquiring Chef