Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

This delicious slow cooker apple crisp is filled with soft, stewed caramelized apples and a sweet, crisp topping full of fall flavors.

Apple Picking

I love going out apple picking at this time of year.  It’s always a fun activity to do with the boys {places that they are free to run around are always high on my list!} and we love to try all of the different varieties of apples.  It’s amazing how different all of the various apple varieties can taste! Our local apple farm also happens to have amazing apple cider slushies that are one of my fall favorites. If you haven’t been apple picking before, look for a local farm and give it a go!

Apple Recipes

Apples happen to be both of the boys’ favorite fruit so they go quite quickly around here.  There are also a ton of different apple recipes that you can try to use them up. Here are a few of our favorites…

• apple muffins
• apple sauce
• salted caramel apple pie
• apple pie pancakes
• apple frog snacks {the kids liked making these when they were little}

But, of course, my personal favorite has got to be apple crisp!

Slow Cooker Apple Crisp Recipe

This was the first recipe that I ever made in the slow cooker years ago and I still make it quite often.  The slow cooker produces soft, juicy apples that are coated in the most delicious caramelized sauce. Due to the moisture of a slow cooker, this recipe is not as “crisp” as the apple crisp that is baked in the oven but it’s oh so good – especially when topped with ice cream.  I would say it’s kind of a mix between homemade apple sauce and the traditional apple crisp. If you do prefer a crispier topping, however, I have provided some adaptation below to give you that more traditional baked topping. Give both a try and see what you prefer!

 

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Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

This delicious slow cooker apple crisp is filled with soft, stewed apples and a sweet, crisp topping full of fall flavors. Mix up the spices for a custom taste!

Course Dessert

Keyword apple recipes, fall recipes

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Cooling time 15 minutes

Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes

Author Jenn Lifford

Ingredients

TOPPING

• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter cut into pieces
• 3/4 cup rolled oats

FILLING

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 cups apples - peeled, cored and chopped roughly 6-8 apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

1. Mix the flour, 3/4 cups brown sugar, 1/4 sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. Combine the butter using a fork or your fingers until course crumbs form. Mix in the oats and set aside.

2. Place the chopped apples in the slow cooker.

3. Mix 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon together in a bowl and then sprinkle  it over the apples. Add the lemon juice and toss it together.

4. Sprinkle the oatmeal topping on top. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.  For a crispier topping, place double paper towels over the slow cooker before putting on the lid. This should not be touching the actual apple crisp. Cook on low for 2 1/2 hours and then cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.

5. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and serve warm with whipped cream or ice-cream. 

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

• Use an apple peeler and corer. If you make a lot of apple recipes, an apple peeler is well worth the investment. I used to avoid making apple recipes just because I hated peeling them so much. lol! {P.S. It peels potatoes too!}
• If you like your topping more crispy, place doubled up paper towels over the slow cooker before you put the lid on. This will absorb the some of the steam and condensation for a firmer topping. You want the paper towel to completely cover the top of the slow cooker but it should not be sagging down over the apple crisp itself. Cook covered on low setting for 2 1/2 hours and then remove the cover for the last 30-60 minutes of cooking.
• Play around with the spices. I’ve used cardamom {one of my favorites!} and all-spice in this recipe as well. If you love cinnamon, you can always add a little bit more of that too. Just keep track of what you use so you can compare recipes!
• Try different apple varieties. Apples can vary quite a bit in their sweetness so play around with your favorite varieties. Also note that a firmer apple will hold up better in the slow cooker, so you may want to cut down the cooking time a bit with softer apples. I always like to check after about 2 hours to make sure the apples are not getting too mushy. Adjust the cooking time as needed to your preference.
• If you do actually have any leftovers {it rarely happens!}, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Try different toppings. I love a nice scoop of ice cream over my apple crisp – especially caramel toffee crunch or butterscotch ripple. You can also experiment with some butterscotch sauce, whipped cream, or nuts.

More Fall Recipes

For more delicious fall recipes, check out these posts…

Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall

Oatmeal Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies