• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Little Bit Recipes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Resources
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Resources
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home / Roundups

    11 Surprising Ways You Can Use Your Slow Cooker

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Oct 21, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    Your slow cooker isn’t just for soups and stews! It’s time to think outside the box and explore some unexpected ways to use this kitchen essential. From crafts to desserts, these creative ideas will make you fall in love with your slow cooker again.

    A lit candle in a glass jar and a smaller closed jar sit on a wooden surface.
    Photo credit: Pexels

    Want to save this post?

    Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!

    Loading

    Make Overnight Oatmeal

    A bowl of baked oatmeal topped with raisins on a wooden table, accompanied by a blue cloth and spoon.
    Oatmeal with Raisins. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Tired of rushing through breakfast? Toss your oats, milk, and favorite toppings into the slow cooker before bed, and wake up to warm, perfectly cooked oatmeal. It’s a time-saver for busy mornings!

    Bake a Cake

    A slice of chocolate cake on a plate, topped with orange zest, next to an orange slice and a fork.
    Photo credit: Depositphotos

    Yes, you can bake a cake in your slow cooker! The low, even heat creates a moist, fluffy cake without an oven. Try a gooey chocolate lava cake or even a classic vanilla!

    Create Candied Nuts

    A bowl of candied almonds on a wooden table, with a red and white checkered napkin partially visible.
    Candied Almonds. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Making candied nuts on the stovetop can be tricky, but your slow cooker makes it foolproof. Mix nuts, sugar, and spices in the pot, and let the slow cooker do the magic. Perfect for snacks or gifts!

    Whip Up Homemade Yogurt

    A wooden-handled spoon rests in a bowl of thick, creamy Greek yogurt placed on a white cloth.
    Photo credit: Yayimages

    Believe it or not, your slow cooker can turn milk into delicious homemade yogurt. With just a few ingredients, you can make a creamy, healthy snack that’s way cheaper than store-bought.

    Slow-Cook Bread

    Loaf of bread sliced open with a pat of butter on one slice.
    Bread. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Who needs a bread maker when your slow cooker can bake a fresh loaf? You’ll get a crusty exterior and soft interior, perfect for sandwiches or slathering with butter.

    Cook Lasagna

    A plate of lasagna topped with basil leaves, accompanied by a gold fork and knife.
    Photo credit: Pexels

    Skip the oven and layer your lasagna directly in the slow cooker. The result? A perfectly cheesy, hearty dish without turning on the stove. This is a game-changer for busy weeknights!

    Infuse Oils

    Two glass bottles of infused oil with herbs next to a lemon half, tomatoes, garlic cloves, and potted basil on a wooden surface.
    Photo credit: Pexels

    Want to make fancy herb-infused oils? Use your slow cooker to gently infuse olive oil with garlic, rosemary, or any herbs you love. It’s a simple way to elevate your cooking.

    Make Homemade Soap

    Two beige soap bars are placed on a textured brown netting surface.
    Photo credit: Pexels

    Feeling crafty? You can even make soap in your slow cooker. With the right ingredients, you can create natural, homemade soap bars that are perfect for gifts or personal use.

    Prepare Mulled Wine

    A glass mug of mulled wine with orange slices and cinnamon sticks on a wooden surface.
    Photo credit: Depositphotos

    Warm up your holiday parties by using your slow cooker to make mulled wine. Just add wine, spices, and citrus, and let the slow cooker keep it warm and fragrant all night.

    DIY Candle Making

    A lit candle in a glass jar and a smaller closed jar sit on a wooden surface.
    Photo credit: Pexels

    If you love candles, your slow cooker can help you make them! Melt wax in mason jars in the slow cooker, add essential oils for fragrance, and you’ve got homemade candles.

    11. Make Cheesecake

    A slice of cheesecake with a graham cracker crust and a raspberry topping on a placemat, with the whole cheesecake in the background.
    Photo credit: Pixabay

    Yes, cheesecake in a slow cooker is a thing! The gentle heat creates a creamy, dreamy texture. Top it with fresh fruit or caramel, and you’ve got an impressive dessert.


    Your slow cooker is way more versatile than you thought! From meals to snacks and even DIY crafts, these creative uses will keep you inspired in the kitchen. Happy slow cooking!

    More Roundups

    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A woman in a green shirt stands in a kitchen holding a bowl of strawberries.

    Hi, I'm Lisa! I'm a cookbook author who has been creating recipes for over a decade. I'd like to show you how easy it is to downsize your cooking for one or two people.

    Read more →

    Popular

    • A bowl of brown rice with Hawaiian chicken on it.
      Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
    • edible cookie dough single serving for one.
      Edible Single Serving Cookie Dough
    • Sliced Italian artisan bread with buttered slice in front.
      No Knead Italian Artisan Bread
    • A sliced meatloaf on a white plate.
      Cracker Barrel Meatloaf (CopyCat)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Cooking

    • Scaling Recipes
    • Mini Pie Pans
    • Stories

    Recipes

    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Desserts

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Newsletter

    LittleBitRecipes.com makes money through affiliate partner links: If you click on a link, we may earn a commission. Our writers create all reviews, recipes, and other content to inform readers, with no influence from our advertisers. LittleBitRecipes.com may earn from qualifying purchased made on Amazon.com. Learn more about our privacy policies, terms of use, and disclosures.

    Copyright © 2025. Little Bit Recipes. All Rights Reserved.