This Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Rice is a nice change from the standard oatmeal. It’s studded with apples, spiced with cinnamon, and so comforting to eat on a cold winter’s morning!
*Originally published December 2015. Recipe, photos, and text updated.*
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Rice
I know what you are thinking……
Rice…..for breakfast???
Just trust me on this. If you are tired of eating oatmeal try brown rice instead. Plus, it’s laced with cinnamon and allspice, and loaded with apples. The perfect warm bowl of comfort to start your day!
Some other Christmas morning breakfast ideas are Biscuits and Gravy Casserole, Gingerbread Pancakes (a family favorite!), or these Bean and Cheese Breakfast Tacos!
Slow Cooker Breakfast
Plus, you can put everything in your slow cooker the night before and program it to start 3 hours before you wake up. I love waking up to breakfast waiting for me to eat it!
And if you are worried about the butter sitting out overnight just leave it out and stir it in when the rice is done.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Rice
Brown Rice– This can’t be replaced with other types of rice. I have tried some others with little success.
Apples– Use whatever apples you like. Also, you can leave the peel on or take it off. It’s whatever your preference is.
Apple Juice– I wanted to use apple juice to add more flavor instead of water.
Cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla– These all add warmth to the rice. Feel free to change up the spices. Clove and nutmeg are also nice in this dish.
Butter– This can be left out if you prefer. I just like it because it adds a touch of richness to the rice.
How to reheat this breakfast rice?
As this rice sits the thicker it will get. If you want it a little looser you can stir in more juice or milk.
Before you reheat it stir in a little more juice or milk. You can warm in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions:
- If you are wanting some protein with this you could stir in some unflavored protein powder or greek yogurt or serve with some eggs.
- Top with desired toppings such as granola, maple syrup, fresh berries, or chopped nuts.
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Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Rice
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (300g) brown rice, uncooked
- 4 cups (945ml) apple juice
- 4 apples cored and diced (you may peel them if you wish)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Additional toppings of choice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except butter, in a slow cooker. Cover with lid and cook on HIGH for 3 hours. Spoon into bowls and top with desired toppings.
Notes
- Make Ahead- Place everything in slow cooker and use the timer on your slow cooker to start cooker 3 hours before your are ready to wake up. If you are worried about the butter leave it out and stir it in when the rice is done.
- Do not replace the brown rice for other types of rice.
- You need to know your slow cooker…I have had some readers comment saying it takes 6 hours to cook this rice. I have tested this dish NUMEROUS times and 3 hours has always been plenty for me. In fact, I like it a little closer to the 2 1/2 mark. 3 hours on HIGH in my crockpot almost makes the rice mushy. So just know your slow cooker and if it cooks on the slow side please allow more time.
- Nutrition Facts: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate.
- If you are wanting some protein with this you could stir in some unflavored protein powder or greek yogurt or serve with some eggs.
- Top with desired toppings such as granola, maple syrup, fresh berries, or chopped nuts.
I love this idea, it’s a nice change and I do not like oatmeal. My slow cooker took 4 hours and rice a little mushy but I’ll make this again and tweak the timing. It tastes great, thanks!
So glad you liked it! And thanks for understanding that slow cookers can cook differently!
I’m at the 3-hour mark right now and it is looks like it has not cooked at all. I have a feeling it will be more like the 6-hour comment below. 🙁 I was hoping to cook it before I went to bed so it would be ready in the morning. (Slow cooker is new as of last Christmas, by the way.) Really bummed that I wasted all of these ingredients and time.
I am so sorry! Can I just confirm if you were cooking it on high? I will retest this recipe again to see if I can recreate the problem. Sorry for your trouble.
Yes, it was on high. I rechecked all ingreda few times before putting it in and followed all the directions to a T. I love the idea of this but not sure I will try it again.
We topped this off with a few fresh berries and the whole family loved it! Thanks for sharing!
This was such a fun change from the usual breakfast and the fact that it was ready for me when I woke up was perfect! Love it!
Slow cooker breakfasts are the best! And love this flavor.
I made this for a work breakfast potluck. It took SIX HOURS for the rice to cook done. So I missed serving it to my coworkers. I was very upset. However, once it was cooked, it was very tasty.
I am so sorry that happened!!! I have made this recipe several times and it has never taken longer than 2 1/2 hours for me. Can I ask how old your crockpot is? I had a really old crockpot and it didn’t cook as hot as my newer one. Again I am so sorry!
Wow! Love this idea for breakfast. Awesome idea for those who don’t enjoy oatmeal.
It’s a great way to change things up!
Is the brown rice supposed to be precooked? Or does it cook in the slow cooker with the other ingredients? Thank you.
Nope need to precook, just put it in the crockpot and let it do the work for you! Thanks and I hope you enjoy!