15 things you didn't know you could make in a Crock-Pot

Talia LakritzSep 13, 2020, 22:25 IST

Slow cookers aren't just for soup.loooby/iStock

Slow cookers can make more than just soups.
Desserts like brownies, cheesecake, and chocolate chip cookie bars can be made in a Crock-Pot, too.
Crock-Pot mulled wine and party dips make entertaining easy.

Hearty stews that spend hours simmering in a Crock-Pot keep cooking simple. But there are lots of other easy dishes you can make in a slow cooker that aren't soup, including desserts, warm beverages, and party dips.

Here are 15 things you probably didn't know you could make in a slow cooker.

Stuffed peppers can be left to cook in a Crock-Pot.

Stuffed peppers topped with cheese. bhofack2/iStock

With a slow cooker, you can stuff the peppers and forget about them until dinner time. No. 2 Pencil's recipe recommends filling them with ground beef, enchilada sauce, cheese, rice, and more diced peppers.

Crisp and cobbler desserts can also be made in a slow cooker.

Apple crisp a la mode. loooby/iStock

Kitchn's recipe for slow cooker apple crisp recommends placing a paper towel underneath the lid of the slow cooker to keep the topping crisp and crunchy.

Crock-Pot green beans taste just as good as green beans from the stove or oven.

Green beans with lemon. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

You can use the same green bean recipe as any stove-top version.

Slow cookers are great for working with non-delicate fruits and vegetables to make fruit sauces and butters.

Homemade applesauce. Shutterstock/Moving Moment

According to Kitchn, slow cooker applesauce is a great way to use mealy apples that are about to go bad.

Dips can be made in a slow cooker, too.

A bowl of spinach artichoke dip. Mark Stout / iStock

Taco dip, corn dip, spinach artichoke dip, and more party favorites can all be made in a slow cooker.

Crock-Pot brownies are delicious.

Brownie squares. Sydney Kramer/INSIDER

Martha Stewart's slow cooker brownie recipe produces 14 delicious squares.

You don't need an oven to make lasagna.

Layers of lasagna. Bernd Juergens/Shutterstock

According to Betty Crocker, lasagna needs four to six hours in a slow cooker to come out perfectly layered and gooey.

Making pineapple upside-down cake in a Crock-Pot can save oven space when cooking for a crowd.

Pineapple upside-down cake topped with cherries. Charles Brutlag/Shutterstock

Betty Crocker's pineapple upside-down cake recipe takes three hours to make and serves 12.

Oatmeal made in a slow cooker provides a hearty breakfast.

Oatmeal with fruit and nuts. Alena Haurylik / Shutterstock

Well Plated by Erin's oatmeal recipe uses steel-cut oats that steep overnight.

Crock Pot cheesecake is possible, too.

A slice of cheesecake. Monarexx/Shutterstock

Crock Pot cheesecake can be made with a small bowl or springform pan that can fit inside your slow cooker, according to Crockpot Ladies.

Quinoa can be made in a slow cooker.

Quinoa salad. Bartosz Luczak/iStock

FoodFanatic recommends adding beans, corn, chickpeas, and peppers to quinoa and cooking it on high for three to four hours.

Mulled cider or wine is a winter favorite that can be prepared in a Crock-Pot.

Mulled cider. OksanaKiian/iStock

Mulled cider takes just two hours to make in a slow cooker, according to Tasty Kitchen.

Pulled meats turn out perfectly in Crock-Pots.

A pulled pork sandwich. GMVozd/Getty Images

Pulled pork and pulled chicken are at their most tender when prepared in a slow cooker.

Chocolate chip cookie bars can be warm and gooey in a slow cooker.

A chocolate chip cookie square. April Turner/Shutterstock

Lining the slow cooker with foil keeps the chocolate chip cookie bars from sticking to the pot, The Stay At Home Chef writes.

Mashed potatoes can be made hours ahead of time.

A spoonful of mashed potatoes. AP Photo/Larry Crowe

"Mashed potatoes can be made the night before," chef and founder of The Epicurean Connection Sheana Davis previously told Insider. "Place them in the Crock-Pot, turn on low in the morning and keep warm until serving. It frees up your stove top. You can also thin the mixture with milk or cream if they get too thick from the heat."

Mashed potatoes can be made the night before, chef and founder of The Epicurean Connection Sheana Davis previously told Insider. Place them in the Crock-Pot, turn on low in the morning and keep warm until serving. It frees up your stove top. You can also thin the mixture with milk or cream if they get too thick from the heat.

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