Not only are baked beans comforting, but that are a fantastic vegetarian protein source and super cheap to make. If you are looking for something healthy and filling on a budget, then give these Slow Cooker Baked Beans a try! Forget the tins of beans – make this lower in sugar and salt version that the whole family will love.
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
You really can’t beat homemade baked beans. We have taken a classic British breakfast and cooked it in a slow cooker (crockpot), so you can wake up on a cold morning with this comforting breakfast ready to eat. Eat then by themselves on toast, with eggs and bacon or have them for lunch on a baked potato.
Why should you try it?
✔ Can be cooked overnight
✔ Low in sugar and salt
✔ An easy way to cook beans
✔ A healthier kids favourite
✔ Freezable
✔ Protein packed
Slow Cooker Beans
Why use the slow cooker when you could cook them on the hob? Well, apart from not having to stand over the hob, the slow cooker makes much creamier baked beans, and it’s an easy way to cook dried beans as they are done low and slow.
Baked beans are best when cooked over a longer time as it really softens the beans and allows the flavours to really come together. You end up with a really rich and delicious sauce.
They won’t taste exactly like the beans you get out of a tin, but that’s not a bad thing. Making them yourself means you get to control exactly what goes in them, so these have a hint of smokiness from the paprika in them. These beans have so much more flavour than canned beans.
What Beans To Use?
We used cannellini beans to make this recipe, but you could use a mixture of cannellini, haricot and chickpeas. To keep this recipe budget friendly, we used dried beans, but you could use canned (rinse them first) and just reduce the cooking time.
How To Use Crockpot Baked Beans?
Beans on toast is such a classic, but there is so much more that you can do with baked beans. Add them to stews, pies and bolognese or put them on top of a baked potato with some cheese.
Are Baked Beans Healthy?
Baked beans are a great source of protein and fibre and if you make them yourself, then you can make sure they aren’t loaded with salt and sugar like the tinned ones can be. Beans are also a good source of vitamin B and folic acid.
Homemade Baked Beans Flavours
The great thing about homemade baked beans is you can change the flavours around. Want BBQ beans? Add some BBQ spices or homemade BBQ sauce. Want curry beans? Add some curry powder. Play around with the recipe and see what you like. Make them spicy by adding a splash of buffalo sauce, or your favourite chilli sauce.
Oh, and a little grated mature cheddar cheese goes a long way on these, but if you leave it out then these are vegan.
Want to make them more indulgent? Just fry up some chopped bacon and add it to the slow cooker with all the other ingredients. You could use turkey bacon to make it lighter.
Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
You sure can, and they make a great batch cook dish. Just allow them to fully cool and then freeze them flat in zip lock bags. You can also keep them in the fridge for 4-5 days in an air-tight container.
To reheat them, just make sure they are fully defrosted and then gently heat them in a pan.
Ingredients needed to make Slow Cooker Baked Beans (serves 4)
- 200g dried cannellini beans
- 1 tbsp garlic granules
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 500ml passata
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 0.5 tsp mustard powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- A pinch of sea salt and black pepper
Extra Tips:
- Use a mixture of dried beans like cannellini, haricot and chickpeas.
- Make flavoured crockpot baked beans by adding BBQ sauce or curry powder.
- Use these baked beans to fill out bolognese or shepherd’s pie or on top of toast or baked potatoes.
- Make these baked beans more indulgent by adding some cooked chopped bacon with all the rest of the ingredients.
- If you are using dried beans, make sure they are soaked overnight.
How To Make Slow Cooker Baked Beans – Step by Step:
One: Put all of the ingredients in to a large slow cooker and mix well.
Two: Cook on low for 6-8 hours, so most of the liquid is absorbed. The beans should be creamy and tender.
Want to try some other slow cooker? How about these:
Slow Cooker Beef Casserole
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Slow Cooked BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 200 g Dried cannellini (haricot) beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic granules
- 500 g Passata
- 500 ml Vegetable stock
- 3 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Tomato puree
- 2 tsp Mustard powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients into a large slow cooker and mix well.
- Cook on high for 8 hours, until all the liquid has been absorbed.
Notes
- Use a mixture of dried beans like cannellini, haricot and chickpeas.
- Make flavoured baked beans by adding BBQ sauce or curry powder.
- Use these baked beans to fill out bolognese or shepherd's pie or on top of toast or baked potatoes.
- Make these baked beans more indulgent by adding some cooked chopped bacon with all the rest of the ingredients.
Jo says
Hi ya, how many grams is one portion?
Dannii says
Sorry, I don’t know how many grams. But this whole recipe serves 4, so it is a quarter of the recipe per person.
Rachael says
Is this food safe without pre-soaking and boiling? Would a slow-cooked kill the toxin?
angie says
What is passatta?
Thank you!