Imagine coming home to the warm, spiced aroma of baked apples and cinnamon, a dessert that’s been patiently simmering all day, just waiting for you. That’s the magic of making an apple crisp in your slow cooker. It’s like having a personal pastry chef working quietly on your countertop, filling your home with the most incredible, cozy fragrance.

This method is a game-changer for anyone who loves classic desserts but craves simplicity. We’re taking all the homestyle flavor of a traditional baked apple crisp and making it effortlessly with the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of your crock. It’s the ultimate comfort food, with minimal effort required from you.

Why Your Slow Cooker is a Dessert Genius

You might think of your slow cooker for stews and roasts, but it’s a secret weapon for desserts. The low, gentle heat is perfect for softening apples into tender perfection without any risk of burning. It coaxes out their natural sweetness and allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Plus, it frees up your oven for other holiday cooking, which is a huge win. There’s something wonderfully forgiving about a slow cooker; it’s much harder to overbake a dessert in one. This makes it ideal for both new bakers and seasoned pros looking for a truly hands-off approach.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

• 6 golden delicious apples (peeled and chopped)
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (diced into small cubes)

The Best Apples for a Perfect Crisp

You have options here, and that’s a great thing! While golden delicious apples are a favorite for their sweet, mellow flavor and ability to hold their shape, you are not limited to them. This is your chance to play with flavor and texture based on what you love or have on hand.

For a tart contrast to the sweet topping, Granny Smith apples are a fantastic choice. If you prefer a firmer apple that won’t turn to mush, try Fuji or Honeycrisp. Mixing two different types can also create a wonderfully complex flavor profile in your finished dessert.

How to make Slow Cooker Apple Crisp?

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Prepare Your Slow Cooker

Begin by lightly greasing the inner pot of your slow cooker with butter or a non-stick cooking spray. This simple step is your insurance policy against sticking, making cleanup an absolute breeze later on. There’s no need to preheat anything—just grab your ingredients and you’re ready to go.

Make the Spiced Apple Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the lemon juice. The lemon juice is a tiny but mighty ingredient; it brightens the flavor and prevents the apples from browning. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated in the spicy, sugary mixture.

Transfer the Filling

Pour the spiced apple mixture into the prepared slow cooker pot, spreading it out into a relatively even layer. You don’t need to be too precise here, just make sure it’s somewhat level so the topping will cover it evenly. The apples will shrink down a bit as they cook, so don’t worry if the pot seems very full.

Create the Crisp Topping

Now, for the best part—the crispy, crumbly, buttery topping! In a separate bowl, add the brown sugar, old fashioned oats, flour, the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together to combine them thoroughly.

Cut in the Butter

Scatter the small, cold cubes of butter over the oat and flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or even your clean fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients. You’re looking for a crumbly texture with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout—this is what will create that irresistible crispy texture as it cooks.

Top and Cook

Sprinkle the oat topping mixture evenly over the apples in the slow cooker. Don’t press it down; you want it to stay loose and crumbly. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on HIGH for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 5 to 6 hours. It’s done when the apples are tender and the topping is golden.

Serve and Enjoy

Once cooked, carefully remove the lid (be mindful of the steam!) and let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the delicious, bubbling juices to thicken up slightly. Scoop it into bowls and serve it warm, ideally with a melting scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips

For the best texture, make sure your butter is cold straight from the fridge. This helps create those perfect, distinct crumbs in your topping rather than a pasty, doughy layer. If the mixture starts to feel warm while you’re working with it, pop the bowl in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill.

Resist the urge to stir the crisp once it’s cooking. Lifting the lid lets out heat and steam, which can significantly increase the cooking time. Trust the process and let the slow cooker work its low-and-slow magic undisturbed until the very end.

If you find your crisp has more liquid than you’d like at the bottom after cooking, you can prop the lid open slightly with a wooden spoon for the last 20-30 minutes. This will allow some of the excess moisture to evaporate and give you a thicker, syrupy consistency.

How to Achieve the Ultimate Crispy Topping

The slow cooker environment is moist, so achieving a crispy top requires a tiny trick. For the final 30 minutes of cooking, try placing a clean tea towel or a few layers of paper towels under the lid to absorb condensation. This prevents steam from making the topping soggy and helps it crisp up beautifully.

If you want an extra crunch, you can also broil the finished crisp for a minute or two in the oven. Simply transfer the crock to an oven-safe insert or spoon the crisp into an oven-safe dish and watch it closely under the broiler until the top is golden and perfectly crisp.

Incredible Pairing Ideas for Your Dessert

While vanilla ice cream is the classic and utterly perfect pairing, don’t be afraid to get creative. A dollop of freshly whipped cream with a hint of bourbon mixed in adds a lovely grown-up twist. For a tangy contrast, a spoonful of Greek yogurt or even a drizzle of cold, heavy cream is divine.

For a truly show-stopping experience, top your warm crisp with a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce. The combination of sweet, salty, warm, and cold is nothing short of spectacular. A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts adds a wonderful nutty crunch that takes the entire dish to another level.

Making This Dessert Ahead of Time

This apple crisp is a fantastic make-ahead dessert for busy hosts. You can fully assemble it in the slow cooker crock, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, simply place the cold crock into the slow cooker base and add an extra 30 minutes or so to the cooking time.

You can also bake it a day in advance. Let it cool completely, then cover and refrigerate. Reheat it in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, or until it’s warmed through. The topping will regain its wonderful texture, and it will taste just as amazing as if it were fresh from the slow cooker.

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Slow Cooker Apple Crisp Recipe

Author: Elly Cooking Method: Baking Cuisine: American Courses: Desserts Recipe Keys: A apple recipes E Easy Dessert F fall dessert H homemade

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 45 mins Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Cooking Temp: 350  F Servings: 8 Estimated Cost: $ 6.00 Calories: 380

Best Season: Fall, Winter

Description

This Old Fashioned Apple Crisp is the ultimate cozy fall dessert, made the way Grandma used to make it. Featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery, oat-studded crumble, it bakes up golden and crisp. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly classic treat that fills your home with an irresistible aroma.

Ingredients

Servings

Spiced Apples

• 6 apples (golden delicious, Granny Smith, or Fuji, peeled and chopped (about 6-7 cups))
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1½ tsp lemon juice

Crisp Topping

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ¾ cup old fashioned oats (quick oats can be substituted)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch of kosher salt
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter (diced into small cubes)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter an 8x8-inch baking dish or spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
   Mark as complete

2. Make the Spiced Apples

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon of cinnamon, and lemon juice. Stir until the apples are well coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
   Mark as complete

3. Make the Crisp Topping

   In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the cold, diced butter.
   Mark as complete

4. Cut in the Butter

   Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter.
   Mark as complete

5. Assemble and Bake

   Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish. Gently pat it down to create an even layer.
   Mark as complete
6. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
   Baking time may vary depending on your oven and the juiciness of the apples.
   Mark as complete

7. Serve

   Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly for 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, ideally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Serving Size 1 serving

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 380kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 15gg24%

Saturated Fat 9gg45%

Trans Fat 0gg

Cholesterol 35mgmg12%

Sodium 120mgmg5%

Potassium 180mgmg6%

Total Carbohydrate 60gg20%

Dietary Fiber 4gg16%

Sugars 42gg

Protein 3gg6%

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Calcium 40mg mg

Iron 1.5mg mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Apple choice: Golden Delicious are recommended for their balance of sweetness and tartness, but Granny Smith (tart) or Fuji (sweet) are also excellent choices.
• Peeling apples: Peeling is optional. If you leave the skins on, be sure to wash the apples thoroughly. The skins add fiber and a slightly different texture.
• Prevent sogginess: If you find your crisp too juicy, toss the apples with 1-2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch before adding them to the dish.
• Make ahead: Bake the crisp, let it cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes until warmed through.
• Serving suggestion: A warm apple crisp with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce is the ultimate indulgence.
• Storage: Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: apple crisp, easy apple crisp, old fashioned apple crisp, fall dessert, apple dessert, oat crisp, crumble recipe, easy dessert