Finding a dessert that’s both cozy and effortless can feel like an impossible task, especially during those busy fall afternoons when you’re juggling work deadlines, homework help, and dinner prep all at once. After all, most apple desserts require careful attention and multiple steps, which isn’t exactly practical when your hands are already full with daily life.
That’s why this slow cooker apple crisp has become my go-to recipe: it’s warm and comforting, requires minimal prep time, and lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting while you focus on everything else. Plus, it fills your home with the most amazing apple-cinnamon aroma.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp
- Effortless preparation – Just layer your ingredients in the slow cooker and let it work its magic – no need to watch over it or worry about burning.
- Cozy fall flavors – The combination of tender apples, warm cinnamon, and buttery oat topping creates that classic comfort food taste that makes your whole house smell amazing.
- Basic pantry ingredients – You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already – just grab some apples and you’re ready to go.
- Perfect for busy days – While it takes a couple of hours to cook, your hands-on time is minimal – perfect for when you want a warm dessert but don’t have time to fuss in the kitchen.
What Kind of Apples Should I Use?
For a slow cooker apple crisp, you’ll want to pick apples that can hold their shape during the long cooking time and provide a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady apples are all great choices since they won’t turn to mush in your slow cooker. If you like a sweeter crisp, go with Honeycrisp or Pink Lady, but if you prefer more tartness to balance the brown sugar topping, Granny Smith is your best bet. You can even mix two different varieties to create more complex flavors – try combining tart Granny Smiths with sweet Honeycrisps for a perfect balance. Just make sure your apples are fresh and firm when you buy them, as softer apples will break down too much during cooking.
Options for Substitutions
This cozy apple crisp recipe is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can switch up:
- Apples: While firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best, you can use any apple variety you have. Pears are also a good substitute – just make sure they’re not too ripe or they’ll turn mushy.
- Traditional oats: Quick oats can work in a pinch, though the texture won’t be as nice. You could also use rolled oats, or replace half the oats with chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- White sugar: Feel free to swap this with brown sugar, coconut sugar, or even maple syrup. If using maple syrup, reduce the amount to 1/3 cup since it’s sweeter.
- Plain flour: For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or your favorite gluten-free flour blend. For the topping, you can also use whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste.
- Butter: You can use coconut oil or margarine instead. Just make sure it’s cold when you mix it into the topping to get that nice crumbly texture.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making slow cooker apple crisp is choosing the wrong type of apples – soft varieties like McIntosh will turn to mush, so stick with firmer apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during long cooking. Another common error is lifting the slow cooker lid too often during cooking, which releases essential heat and moisture, adding up to 30 minutes to your cooking time for each peek. To achieve that perfect crispy topping, avoid dumping all ingredients in at once – instead, wait to add the oat-flour mixture until the final hour of cooking, and leave the lid slightly ajar during this time to let excess moisture escape. For the best texture, make sure your butter is truly cold when you cut it into the topping mixture, as warm butter will make your crisp topping greasy rather than crumbly.
What to Serve With Apple Crisp?
This warm and cozy apple crisp practically begs to be topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the way the cold, creamy ice cream melts into the warm apple filling is just perfect! If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream or even a pour of cold heavy cream works great too. You can also pair this dessert with a hot drink like coffee, tea, or apple cider to make it extra cozy. For a special breakfast treat, serve your apple crisp warm with a spoonful of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup on top.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Once your apple crisp has cooled down, pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. The topping might soften a bit over time, but it’ll still taste great! It’s perfect for having a ready-made dessert throughout the week.
Freeze: This apple crisp freezes really well! Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Warm Up: When you’re ready to enjoy your stored apple crisp, warm it up in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or pop it in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until heated through. For frozen crisp, thaw it overnight in the fridge first. A fresh scoop of ice cream on top makes it extra special!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 120 minutes |
| Total Time | 135-140 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1700
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 70-80 g
- Carbohydrates: 220-250 g
Ingredients
- 6 small apples, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces (totaling 6 cups)
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 1/2 cup traditional oats
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chilled butter, divided into 8 parts
- Ice cream for serving, if wanted
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Mixture
Start by placing sliced or chopped apples in a large bowl.
Add granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and a sprinkle of cinnamon to the bowl.
Stir the ingredients together until the apples are evenly coated with the sugar and spices.
This will form the base of your apple crisp.
Step 2: Set Up the Slow Cooker
Spray a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Carefully transfer the apple mixture into the slow cooker, spreading it out evenly.
This ensures even cooking of the apples as they soften and release their juices.
Step 3: Make the Oat Topping
In another large bowl, combine 1/2 cup of flour, oats, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Mix these dry ingredients well.
Using a fork or a pastry blender, cut cold butter into the mixture until it becomes crumbly.
This topping will create the crunchy layer on top of the apples.
Step 4: Cook the Apple Crisp
Sprinkle the oat and butter mixture evenly over the apple mixture in the slow cooker.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on the High heat setting for 2 hours.
Once cooked, turn off the heat, remove the cover, and allow the apple crisp to cool for about 30 minutes.
This cooling step helps the flavors meld and the topping to set slightly.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the apple crisp warm, optionally topped with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
The contrast of the warm apple mixture and the cool, creamy ice cream is simply delightful.
Enjoy your homemade apple crisp with family and friends!