Crockpot Breakfast Casserole With Tater Tots and Ham

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Crockpot Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, cheesy breakfast that cooks itself in the slow cooker and feeds a crowd. Fifteen minutes of layering and you’re free until it’s time to eat.

Tender tater tots, diced ham and sweet bell peppers in soft, seasoned eggs under plenty of melted cheddar.

Topdown view of a Crockpot Breakfast Casserole in a slow cooker.

Table of Contents

Leftover holiday ham has a way of sticking around. This is where mine goes: diced Crockpot Ham and a bag of tots feed a full house the next morning. The cook even gets to drink her coffee while it’s hot.

Recipe Highlights

Fifteen minutes of prep, then walk away.
Cooks on low in 6 to 7 hours.
Feeds 8 to 10 from one crockpot.
A smart home for leftover holiday ham.
Assemble it a full day ahead.

Ingredient Notes

Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.

Ingredients needed to make a Crockpot Breakfast Casserole.

TATER TOTS – They go in frozen, right from the freezer. The tots cook down into the eggs, so every scoop turns out soft and cheesy.

HAM – Leftover holiday ham or a package of diced ham both work, so use what you have. For a change, swap in 1 pound of cooked, crumbled bacon or breakfast sausage.

BELL PEPPER – Any color works here. The casserole in the photos used red, and I love how it looks on the plate.

CHEDDAR – Shred it from a block for the smoothest melt. Colby, pepper Jack, mozzarella and white cheddar are all good swaps.

MILK AND CREAM – The casserole in the photos used whole milk and heavy cream, and that’s what I recommend.

SALT – Ham, cheddar and tots all bring their own salt, so ¾ teaspoon of table salt is plenty. If you cook with kosher salt, use 1½ teaspoons.

How To Make a Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

Whisked eggs, milk and seasonings in a glass bowl

Frozen tater tots layered in a black oval slow cooker.

Shredded cheddar over diced ham, red bell pepper and tater tots in the slow cooker.

Slow cooker split view: egg mixture poured over the cheddar layer on one side, cooked Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with melted cheddar and parsley on the other.

Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, mustard and seasonings in a bowl.
Layer half the tots, ham, peppers and cheddar in the slow cooker.
Pour on half the eggs, then repeat both layers.
Cook until the eggs are set, then melt the last of the cheddar on top.

Plate of Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with parsley and gold forks.

Leftovers and Storage

STORE – Spoon leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours. They keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

FREEZE – This casserole is at its best fresh or from the fridge, so that’s how I serve it.

REHEAT – Microwave single servings until hot all the way through, or 165º Fahrenheit on a thermometer. Leftovers reheat best in the microwave, so the slow cooker gets the day off.

MAKE AHEAD – Layer everything in the crock, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Set the cold crock into the cold base and add about 1 hour to the cook time. For overnight cooking, set a programmable slow cooker to 6 hours on low at bedtime.

More Savory Breakfast Recipes

Serving Suggestions

CHRISTMAS MORNING – It’s ready about the time the wrapping paper is knee-deep. Add a pan of warm Monkey Bread for the sweet side.

OVERNIGHT GUESTS – The warm setting covers the early risers and the second wave. A bowl of Ambrosia Salad adds something cool and fruity.

EASTER BRUNCH – Leftover Easter ham works just as well as Christmas ham. Set a basket of Hot Cross Buns next to the crockpot.

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER – Start it on high after lunch and it’s ready by dinnertime. Air Fryer Biscuits and a bottle of hot sauce finish the plate.

Plate of Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with a gold spoon, with eggs and a second serving behind it.

Recipe Success Tips

SPRAY WELL – A good coat of cooking spray on the bottom and sides lets every scoop lift out clean.

LID ON – A closed lid holds in the heat, so the eggs cook evenly. Lift it only to check for doneness, which is what USDA recommends for slow cookers.

EDGES – For golden edges, start checking at the 6-hour mark. The sides cook fastest where they touch the crock.

THERMOMETER – Set eggs are the goal. The center should look firm and read 165º Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer.

EXPERT TIP – The warm setting buys you about an hour after cooking. The casserole stays soft, and late sleepers still get a hot breakfast.

Gold fork cutting into a serving of Crockpot Breakfast Casserole.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I Make an Overnight Crockpot Breakfast Casserole?

Yes, with a programmable slow cooker that switches to warm on its own. Layer everything at bedtime, turn it on right away and set it to 6 hours on low. The casserole stays at its best for about an hour on warm. That adds up to a 7-hour night, and breakfast is hot when you get up.

Do the Tater Tots Go in Frozen?

Yes, the tater tots go in frozen. There’s no thawing step, so they go from the freezer right into the slow cooker. Layer them with the ham, peppers and cheddar. They soften as they cook and blend into the eggs, which gives this casserole its soft, scoopable texture.

What Size Crockpot Do I Need for a Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole?

A 6-quart oval slow cooker is the right size. The layers fill it about halfway, which gives the eggs room to cook evenly from the edges to the center. Coat the bottom and sides with cooking spray before you start layering, and every serving scoops out easily.

Can I Use Bacon or Sausage in This Crockpot Egg Casserole?

Yes, bacon or breakfast sausage both work in place of the ham. Use 1 pound of either one. Cook it first, then crumble it and drain it well before layering. Fully cooked meat keeps this crockpot egg casserole food-safe, and any cheese you like can stand in for the cheddar.

Can I Bake This Breakfast Casserole in the Oven?

This recipe belongs in the slow cooker, and I have a separate one for the oven. My Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole bakes in a 9×13 dish with bacon and sausage. The tots turn crisp and golden on top, and it’s ready in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

How Long Does a Breakfast Casserole in the Crockpot Take?

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole cooks on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 3½ hours. It’s done when the eggs are set in the middle and a thermometer reads 165º Fahrenheit. A casserole that starts cold from the fridge needs about 1 extra hour.

Setting	Cook Time	Best For
Low	6 to 7 hours	Overnight or a slow morning
High	3 to 3½ hours	Brunch or breakfast for dinner
Straight from the fridge	Add about 1 hour	A casserole assembled the day before

More Easy and Delicious Recipes

The slow cooker can handle a lot more than breakfast when company comes.

Crockpot Mac and Cheese – A big batch of cheesy pasta that frees up the stove.

Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip – A warm party dip that stays ready all afternoon.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken – Sweet and tangy chicken that cooks while you wrap presents.

Slow Cooker Brisket – Tender sliced brisket for a holiday dinner with very little hands-on work.

Crockpot Apple Dump Cake – A warm apple dessert that starts with a box of cake mix.

Maike Corbett

Maike Corbett grew up in German kitchens learning to cook and bake alongside her Omas before spending over a decade running full-service restaurants in the US. She founded Cheerful Cook in 2017 to share practical, tested comfort food recipes that actually work on busy weeknights, drawing on both her American restaurant experience and her German home-cooking roots. Her work has been featured on MSN, Yahoo, the Associated Press, and other major media outlets.