Let me share a little secret: there was a time when I would regularly grab an apple crisp mix from the grocery store. Not just once, but many times. Oh, how I wish I had known then how incredibly simple it is to make a truly delightful homemade apple crisp! Those days of pre-packaged mixes are long gone for me, and I doubt they’ll ever return. This Crock Pot Apple Crisp recipe isn’t just easy; it’s absolutely delicious, and as an added bonus, it fills your entire home with the most wonderful, comforting aroma.
Effortless Crock Pot Apple Crisp: Your New Favorite Dessert
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting apple crisp, especially when it’s made with fresh, tender apples and a buttery, crumbly topping. But what if I told you that achieving this perfect dessert could be almost entirely hands-off? Enter the Crock Pot Apple Crisp! This recipe transforms your slow cooker into a magical device that bakes a fantastic dessert while you go about your day. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, holiday gatherings, or simply when you’re craving something sweet without the fuss.
Why Choose the Slow Cooker for Your Apple Crisp?
The slow cooker isn’t just for savory stews and roasts; it’s an incredibly versatile appliance that excels at making desserts like apple crisp. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Hands-Off Convenience: Once assembled, simply set your slow cooker and let it work its magic. No constant checking or worrying about burning.
- Perfect Texture: The moist, enclosed environment of the slow cooker ensures that your apples become incredibly tender and flavorful, while the topping still gets beautifully crisp.
- Amazing Aroma: As your apple crisp slowly cooks, your home will be filled with the inviting scents of cinnamon, baked apples, and sweet brown sugar. It’s an instant mood booster!
- Energy Efficient: Slow cookers generally use less electricity than a conventional oven, especially for long cooking times.
- Frees Up Oven Space: Ideal for holidays or large meals when your oven is already occupied with other dishes.
Choosing the Best Apples for Your Crisp
The foundation of any great apple crisp is, of course, the apples! While many varieties work well, some are better suited for baking than others. You want apples that hold their shape during cooking and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Granny Smith: A classic choice for baking. Their tartness provides a great contrast to the sweet crisp topping, and they hold their shape beautifully.
- Honeycrisp: Sweet, crisp, and juicy. They soften nicely without becoming mushy.
- Fuji: Sweet and firm, Fuji apples maintain their texture well.
- Braeburn: Offer a good balance of sweet and tart, with a firm texture.
- Gala: Mildly sweet and crisp, they work well when mixed with tarter apples.
For the best flavor and texture, consider using a mix of two or three different apple varieties. This adds depth and complexity to your crisp, making each bite more exciting.
Crafting the Perfect Crisp Topping
The “crisp” in apple crisp comes from that glorious, crumbly topping. Our recipe ensures a perfectly balanced topping that complements the tender apples beautifully. It’s a simple mix of:
- Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats add a wonderful chewiness and nutty flavor to the topping.
- Flour: All-purpose flour helps bind the topping ingredients together and creates that classic crumbly texture.
- Brown Sugar & White Sugar: A combination of sugars provides depth of flavor. Brown sugar offers a rich, molasses note, while white sugar contributes pure sweetness.
- Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple desserts, cinnamon brings warmth and classic fall flavor.
- Butter: Cold, diced butter is key. When cut into the dry ingredients, it creates pockets that melt during cooking, resulting in a delightfully crisp and buttery topping.
Essential Equipment for Your Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
Making this easy apple crisp requires just a few basic kitchen tools:
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker): We recommend using a slow cooker with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the set cooking time. This feature is incredibly helpful for ensuring your dessert cooks perfectly without drying out, giving you peace of mind. A 6-quart oval slow cooker is generally a good size for most recipes.
- Apple Corer/Slicer: While not strictly necessary, an apple corer or slicer can significantly speed up your prep time, making quick work of preparing the apples.
- Large Mixing Bowl: For combining the topping ingredients.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
A quick note on cooking times: I once left this apple crisp in the Crock-Pot for about 5 hours on high, and I learned a valuable lesson. The crisp became too crispy, and the apples dried out significantly. For the best results, aiming for the 3-hour mark on high heat or 4-6 hours on low heat seems to work perfectly, yielding tender apples and a golden-brown, delightful crisp topping.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp Recipe
Crock Pot Apple Crisp Recipe
Seriously easy Crock Pot Apple Crisp Recipe your entire family will love!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (from 1 vote)
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 466 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups apples, sliced (approximately 4-6 medium apples)
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- ½ cup White Sugar
- 3 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted Butter, melted
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the sliced apples evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, melt the butter. Add the oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, white sugar, and ground cinnamon to the melted butter. Mix well until a crumbly topping forms and all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Evenly pour and spread the topping mixture over the layer of apples in the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 hours, or on LOW for 4-6 hours. The crisp is ready when the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown and bubbling.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker (Crockpot)
- Apple Slicer (optional, for quicker prep)
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 162
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
- Don’t Overcook: As mentioned, overcooking can lead to dry apples and an overly hard topping. Stick to the recommended cooking times.
- Serving Suggestions: This apple crisp is fantastic on its own, but it truly shines when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Even Apple Slices: Ensure your apple slices are relatively uniform in thickness so they cook evenly.
- Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar based on the sweetness of your apples and your personal preference.
Variations and Customizations
This recipe is a wonderful base for experimentation:
- Add Nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts can be added to the topping for extra crunch and flavor.
- Different Spices: While cinnamon is classic, try adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ginger for a different twist.
- Mixed Fruit: Combine apples with other fruits like pears, berries, or sliced peaches for a delightful mixed fruit crisp.
- Maple or Honey: Substitute a portion of the sugar with maple syrup or honey for a different sweet note.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover Crock Pot Apple Crisp stores beautifully. Simply cover the slow cooker insert or transfer the crisp to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual servings in the microwave, or for a crispier topping, heat it in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping is restored to its crispiness. It even tastes great chilled!
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
Q: Can I use frozen apples?
A: While fresh apples are preferred for their texture, you can use frozen apple slices. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the slow cooker to prevent the crisp from becoming watery.
Q: What kind of butter should I use?
A: Unsalted butter is generally recommended for baking as it gives you control over the salt content. If using salted butter, you might want to slightly reduce any added salt in the recipe, though this recipe doesn’t call for extra salt.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum) and use certified gluten-free oats. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the apple mixture and the crisp topping separately the night before. Store the apple slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator and the topping mixture in another container. Assemble them in the slow cooker just before cooking.
Q: How do I know when the apple crisp is done?
A: The apples should be very tender when pierced with a fork, and the topping should be golden brown and bubbling around the edges. If your slow cooker has a glass lid, you can easily check its progress.
Discover More Delicious Crock Pot Recipes!
If you loved this easy Crock Pot Apple Crisp, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other convenient and tasty slow cooker creations:
- Crock Pot Monkey Bread
- Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- Crock Pot Ham
- Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Crock Pot Spicy Buffalo Ranch Chicken
- Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Crock Pot Spicy Barbecue Kielbasa
- Crock Pot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
- Crock Pot Apple Crisp
- Crock Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts
Don’t forget to check out all of our easy vegetarian crockpot recipes and our tempting apple dessert recipes for more inspiration.
Do you love discovering new recipes? Explore our copycat recipes, a wide variety of dessert recipes, and all our amazing Crock Pot Recipes.
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Recipe originally shared on March 5, 2013. Updated October 2020.