Marianne Martinez
Au gratin potatoes are a delicious side dish, perfect for holidays or weeknight meals. The traditional way of baking them in the oven can be time-consuming and may result in undercooked potatoes. However, using a crock pot offers a convenient and effective alternative. By thinly slicing the potatoes and layering them with a rich, cheesy sauce in the crock pot, you can create a creamy and comforting dish that's sure to impress. This method ensures even cooking, moist potatoes, and crispy edges, making it a hassle-free option for any occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Easy to make, the slow cooker does all the work |
| Taste | Creamy, cheesy, rich, savoury, tasty |
| Texture | Tender potatoes, crispy edges |
| Suitability | Perfect side dish for holidays, family dinners, potlucks, weeknight meals, special occasions |
| Dietary | Not a diet recipe, can be adapted for dairy-free diets |
| Ingredients | Potatoes, cheese, butter, flour, milk, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, sour cream, bacon |
| Crock-pot size | 3.5, 5, 6, 6.5, or 7-quart crock-pots mentioned |
| Preparation tips | Use a Mandoline tool for even potato slices, use crock-pot liners or cooking spray to aid cleaning |
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What You'll Learn
Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes recipe
Au Gratin Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food and make a perfect side dish. They are cheesy, creamy, and can be made in a crockpot or slow cooker. Here is a detailed recipe for making delicious Au Gratin Potatoes in a crockpot.
Ingredients:
- Medium to large potatoes (about 6)
- Butter
- Milk or heavy cream
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Flour
- Cheese (cheddar or any dairy-free variety)
- Olive oil (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by peeling and thinly slicing the potatoes to about 1/8" thick. You can use a mandolin slicer for speed and accuracy.
- Generously coat the inside of your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray or line it with crockpot liners for easier cleanup.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour and stir or whisk until combined and bubbly.
- Add milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheese. You can also add sour cream for extra creaminess.
- Layer the sliced potatoes in the crockpot, sprinkling each layer with salt and pepper.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes, ensuring that it covers everything.
- Place a few paper towels on top of the crockpot to absorb moisture and help crisp up the potatoes. Then, put the lid on.
- Cook on high for 2-5 hours, depending on your crockpot. The dish is ready when the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
Tips:
- You can substitute milk for heavy cream or use unsweetened almond milk for a dairy-free option.
- For a crispier topping, place a layer of paper towels under the crockpot lid to absorb moisture.
- This recipe is easily adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Feel free to add more seasonings or use dairy-free substitutes.
- You can also add meat, such as ham, or vegetables to make it a heartier dish.
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Crispy topping tip
To achieve a crispy topping on your au gratin potatoes, place a layer of paper towels under the crockpot lid. This trick helps to absorb excess moisture and gives the potatoes a crispy texture similar to oven-baked au gratin potatoes.
The number of paper towels required may vary depending on the size of your crockpot. For a standard 6-quart crockpot, using three paper towels is recommended. If you have a smaller crockpot, you may need fewer paper towels, and for a larger crockpot, you may need to use more.
It is also important to ensure that the paper towels are placed directly on top of the potatoes before securing the lid. This allows the paper towels to absorb moisture directly from the potatoes, promoting even crispiness.
Additionally, consider changing the paper towels halfway through the cooking process. This helps to ensure maximum moisture absorption and can be especially beneficial if your crockpot has a larger capacity or if you notice that the paper towels become saturated before the potatoes are done cooking.
By following this crispy topping tip, you can achieve a delicious, crispy texture on your au gratin potatoes cooked in the crockpot, mimicking the crispy goodness of oven-baked au gratin potatoes.
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Preparing the slow cooker
Step 1: Choose the Right Slow Cooker
Select a slow cooker with a capacity that suits your needs. A 5-quart or 6-quart crockpot is commonly used for this recipe. If you have a smaller cooker, consider halving the recipe to ensure even cooking.
Step 2: Coat the Slow Cooker
Generously coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent the potatoes from sticking. You can use a non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Alternatively, use a crockpot liner for even easier cleanup, as recommended by some chefs.
Step 3: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash and peel your potatoes. For even and precise slicing, use a mandoline tool or a mandolin slicer to cut the potatoes into thin slices, about 1/8-inch thick. The even thickness ensures that the potatoes cook at the same rate.
Step 4: Layer the Potatoes
Place the potato slices into the prepared slow cooker, creating layers and sprinkling each layer with seasonings like salt and pepper. This step ensures that your potatoes are evenly seasoned and cooked.
Step 5: Create the Sauce
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to combine, creating a roux. Cook the roux for a few minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. Then, add milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk continuously until the mixture thickens.
Step 6: Add Cheese
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in your choice of shredded cheese. Cheddar cheese is a popular option, but you can also use dairy-free cheese for a vegan alternative. The cheese will melt and combine with the sauce, creating a rich and creamy texture.
Step 7: Assemble and Cook
Layer the potatoes and sauce in the slow cooker, repeating the layers until all ingredients are used. Typically, you would start with a layer of potatoes, followed by a layer of sauce, and repeat. Place paper towels on top of the crockpot to absorb moisture and promote a crispy texture. Then, cover and cook on high for 2-5 hours, depending on your slow cooker, until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
Remember to refer to your specific slow cooker's instructions and adjust cooking times and temperatures as needed. With these steps, your slow cooker will be ready to create delicious au gratin potatoes!
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Dairy-free alternatives
Au gratin potatoes are typically made with cheese and cream, but dairy-free alternatives can be used to make this dish suitable for those avoiding dairy or looking to cut costs.
One option is to substitute milk for the heavy cream called for in the recipe. Whole milk will yield the creamiest results, but you can also use unsweetened almond milk, lactose-free milk, or plain almond, cashew, or coconut milk for a sweeter flavour.
You can also make the dish dairy-free by using vegan cheese, such as the Daiya brand, which melts nicely and adds great flavour without the cholesterol of real cheese. Rice cheese, made from rice milk, is another option and offers a mild and slightly sweet taste. Cheese made from coconut milk will provide a rich and creamy texture and a slight coconut flavour. Potato-based cheeses are made from plant-based ingredients and have a mild and neutral taste, making them versatile for various recipes.
When substituting dairy-free alternatives, it's important to note that the taste and texture may vary from traditional dairy cheese. It's recommended to try different brands and types to find the ones that best suit your preferences and dietary needs.
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Boiling potatoes beforehand
One user recommends boiling the potatoes before placing them in the crock pot to achieve a softer consistency. They suggest slicing the potatoes first, then placing them in boiling water for 10 minutes. After boiling, remove them from the water and allow them to cool. This user believes that boiling the potatoes beforehand helps achieve a "tender" consistency that can be difficult to attain without this step.
Another user mentions that they increased the amount of potatoes in their recipe, adding approximately 3 cups of cubed ham. They layered half the potatoes in the crock pot, followed by a light sprinkling of seasoned salt and pepper, half the ham, and then spread a third of the sauce. They repeated this process for a second layer, then spread the remaining sauce on top. This user's crock pot recipe took approximately 3.5 hours on high, followed by 30 minutes uncovered on high.
It is important to note that boiling the potatoes beforehand is not a standard step in crock pot au gratin recipes and is based on personal preference and experience. Most recipes recommend slicing the potatoes thinly and evenly, which ensures they cook at the same speed in the crock pot. A Mandoline tool or a mandolin slicer can be used to achieve even slices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook au gratin potatoes in a crock pot.
To make au gratin potatoes in a crock pot, first, wash and peel your potatoes. Next, thinly slice the potatoes to about 1/8" thick. Generously coat the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. In a separate saucepan, melt butter and add flour, whisking to combine. Then, add milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking continuously, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Layer the potatoes and sauce in the crock pot, repeating until everything is in the pot. Place paper towels on top of the crock pot and cook on high for 2.5-5 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
To make the potatoes crispy, place a layer of paper towels under the crock pot lid. This will help to absorb moisture and make the potatoes crispier.
Au gratin potatoes can be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4-5 days. They are best served warm but can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
Yes, to make this recipe dairy-free, substitute milk for the heavy cream and use unsweetened almond milk and dairy-free cheese. The results will depend on the quality of the dairy-free substitutions.
