Crock Pot Apple Crisp (Slow Cooker Apple Crisp)
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This Crock Pot Apple Crisp (also called Slow Cooker Apple Crisp) is warmly spiced and topped with a buttery oat crumble. Perfect for autumn gatherings, holidays, or anytime you crave the flavors of apple pie without the fuss.
If you love slow cooker desserts, try this crockpot peach cobbler recipe too!
Recipe Overview
This Crock Pot Apple Crisp (Slow Cooker Apple Crisp) is a cozy fall dessert made with tender apples and a buttery, spiced oat crumble topping. It's the perfect hands-off treat for busy weeknights, autumn gatherings, or holiday dinners when you want the flavors of apple pie without the fuss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on LOW (or 2 hours on HIGH)
- Servings: 8-10
- Skill Level: Easy - no special baking skills required
- Best For: Make-ahead desserts, potlucks, or family gatherings
Why I Love This Recipe
First of all, who doesn't love the aroma of baking apples and cinnamon? Not this girl! When the first hint of fall appears outside my windows, this is the first cozy apple recipe I'm making! Here's why you should love it too:
- Flexible - Works with almost any apple variety and is easily adaptable for gluten-free eaters.
- Effortless - The slow cooker does all the work, making it ideal for busy fall days.
- Perfect for gatherings - Serve warm straight from the crock pot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Key Ingredients
Here are a few essentials that make this apple crisp irresistible.
- Butter - The secret to that rich, crumbly topping.
- Apples - Use a mix of tart and sweet (like Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for balanced flavor.
- Brown Sugar - Adds caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with apples.
- Oats - Rolled oats create a crisp, golden topping.
- Cinnamon & Spice - Warm spices infuse the dessert with cozy fall flavor.
How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
Step 1: Lightly coat a medium-sized slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. In the bottom of the slow cooker, toss apples with lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch.
Step 2: Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Then sprinkle over the apples.
Step 3: Cook on LOW until the apples are tender, about 3 to 4 hours, or on HIGH for 2 hours. Adjust cooking time as needed, depending on your slow cooker.
Tips for Success
- Line the slow cooker or spray it with nonstick cooking spray for easy cleanup.
- Mix apple varieties for the best flavor balance.
- Don't overcook - apples should be soft but not mushy.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use oat flour and certified GF oats.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
- Berry Twist: Mix in cranberries or blueberries for a festive flavor.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or ginger for extra warmth.
Serving Ideas
- Classic: Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Decadent: Drizzle with warm caramel sauce.
- Brunch: Serve with Greek yogurt for a cozy breakfast.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. You can also freeze individual portions for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
A mix of tart and sweet apples works best. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious hold their shape well and create a balanced flavor. Using more than one variety gives the apple crisp layers of taste and texture.
A sharp knife works just fine, but I love using an apple slicer/peeler/corer to save time. It peels, cores, and slices the apples in one step, making prep significantly faster - especially if you're making crisps, pies, or other apple desserts.
Since slow cookers trap steam, place a clean kitchen towel or a layer of paper towels under the lid to absorb extra moisture. For extra crunch, you can also transfer the crisp to the oven for 5-10 minutes before serving if your slow cooker insert is oven-safe.
Yes, you can prep the apple mixture and topping the night before. The lemon in this recipe helps prevent the apples from browning. Store the apples and topping separately in the refrigerator, then assemble and cook the next day. Leftovers also reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave.
Absolutely. Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
More Apple Recipes
- Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Maple Glaze
- Old Fashioned Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Ireland Tradition: A Cast Iron Irish Apple Cake
- Easy Rice Cooker Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon
More Recipes You May Also Enjoy
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Crock Pot Apple Crisp Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups sliced apples peeled, about 7-8 apples
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Topping
- 1 ¼ cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, diced
Instructions
- Coat a medium-sized slow cooker lightly with non-stick cooking spray. In the bottom of the slow cooker, toss apples with lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch.
- For the topping: Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Cut in the diced butter until it resembles coarse meal. Spread topping evenly over the apples.
- Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, or on HIGH for 2 hours, or until the apples are tender. Adjust cooking time as needed, depending on your slow cooker.
- Serve warm with a scoop ice cream.
Video
Notes
- Apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples (like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious) for the best balance of flavor. Mixing varieties adds both depth and texture.
- Prep Tip: An apple slicer/peeler/corer can save a lot of time if you're making this (or any apple dessert) often. It peels, cores, and slices in one step.
- Topping: For a crispier crumble, place a clean towel or paper towels under the slow cooker lid to absorb moisture. You can also transfer the crisp to the oven for 5-10 minutes before serving if your insert is oven-safe. My CrockPot brand insert is not oven-safe.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour for oat flour (or almond flour) and use certified gluten-free oats.
- Serving: This dessert is best served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. For extra indulgence, drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to re-crisp the topping, or microwave individual portions.
- Freezer-Friendly: Cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 3 months, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat before serving.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This was a hit at a recent get together! Very yummy. Going to try it with some sugar substitutes and gf oats and flour next. Thanks!
Hi Robin! Thank you so much for trying the apple crisp. I'm so happy you enjoyed it! I've not testing this recipe using sugar substitutes yet, but I'd love to hear how it turns out if you do.
What happens if I use quick oats instead?
Hi Casey! You can definitely switch the rolled oats for quick oats. The texture is a bit different— but good!
Stephany I made the AppleCrisp It was the BOMBDIGGITY!!!!!!
Yay!! You made my night and I'm in LOVE with that word, "bombdiggity!"
Is it 1 stick or 2 sticks of butter?
It’s 1 stick of butter - 1/2 cup. Yum! Hope you enjoy it!!
Is it 1 stick or 2 sticks of butter?
My son and I really enjoyed this recipe. I made it exactly as written. It’s definitely a keeper and I will be making it again. Thank you for sharing it!
My son and I really enjoyed this recipe. I made it exactly as written. It’s definitely a keeper and I will be making it again. Thank you for sharing it!
I’m so glad, Karen! We love it too!
Would this taste okay if I made it the night before?
Hi Laura! The texture is a bit different the next day, but still really good. Refrigerate after baking and when you're ready to serve, warm it up a bit and add some vanilla ice cream!
Turned out delicious for our small dinner party! It was great having dessert ready !
I’m SO glad! I love having dessert ready before guests come too. Thanks for taking the time to let us know.! This apple crisp has been a staple at our house all season long!
Turned out delicious for our small dinner party! It was great having dessert ready !
I have a apple tree, they are small/average size
How many cups of apples do I need?
Hi Jody! We have the same at my parent's house -- and I love to use those odd-shaped/sized apples. I like to use about 6 to 6-1/2 cups of sliced apples.
EVeryone at our tailgate loved this. We served with small cups of ice cream. Suggest prep time not include peeling apples.
That is a fabulous tailgate idea! So glad you all loved it. We do too ?!
How many servings does this make?
Hi Lindsey -- the apple crisp will make 6 to 8 servings.
Sounds great! I didn’t see where it had the amount for the lemon juice or brown sugar or nutmeg? Can u provide measurements? Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Meginn! We were updating the apple crisp to the recipe card format for easier printing -- next time I'll be careful about live editing!! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
This sounds really good.
We love it!