This Slow Cooker Apple Crisp is warm, cozy and so easy to make. The combination of tender, sweet apple slices topped with a buttery crumbly crust is so heavenly. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert for fall celebrations, especially Thanksgiving!

Apple crisp served in a bowl with a fork.

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Easy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp tastes amazing and is a family favorite that I make every fall. It will remind you of the apple desserts your Grandma used to make but without all the work. It has the perfect sweet taste and wonderful texture for the best dessert any day of the week.

Not only does it taste incredible but it’s a great dessert for all your holiday plans. The great thing about this recipe is that it smells and tastes like you spent all day on it. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and it doesn’t take up precious oven space. And thanks to my dish towel trick it actually stays crisp, even when made in the crockpot!

This was absolutely delicious and easy, I made it yesterday for company and it got rave reviews!

— Mona

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Quick and Easy! This apple crisp can be prepped in 15 minutes, then let your crock pot do all the work! Easy peasy!
  • Slow cooked deliciousness: I’ve made many crisps in the oven, but there’s no denying how scrumptious slow cooking apples taste (and smell!). I can’t get enough of that sweet, crisp topping that blankets the soft, stewed cinnamon apples.
  • Comforting classic! Apple crisp has the warm homestyle filling of a classic apple pie topped with a yummy brown sugar sweetened streusel oatmeal topping. 
  • Family approved! This dessert will easily please your whole family! It’s fantastic served warm on its own, but even more delicious when topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients you’ll need

With just a few simple ingredients, this slow cooker apple crisp recipe comes together quickly and easily for the best fall dessert. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Sliced apples on a cutting board near bowls of flour, oats, sugar and cinnamon.
  • Apples: See below for the best apples to use. You need about 6 small to medium apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices.
  • Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness of the apple filling.
  • Sugar: You’ll need granulated sugar to sweeten the filling and brown sugar to sweeten and add flavor to the topping.
  • Flour: This recipe uses a small amount of all-purpose flour to thicken the apple mixture and then some as the base of the topping.
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon adds warm cozy flavor.
  • Old-fashioned rolled oats: Adds great texture to the crumble topping.
  • Salt: Don’t skip it! It really brings all the flavors together.
  • Butter: Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut very the cold butter cubes into the brown sugar mixture until crumbly.

What are the best apples for baking?

When baking with apples, you want a variety that will hold their shape, instead of becoming overly mushy.

Use an apple that has a crisp, firm texture. My favorite crisp-crunchy apples to bake with are: Honeycrisp, Jazz, Pazazz, Braeburn, Jonagold, Pacific Rose, Pink Lady, Fuji, Pinata, Granny Smith. Choose one of these, or use a variety.

Avoid soft, mealy, or creamy-flesh apples like Red Delicious, Gala, and McIntosh. They will soften up too quickly while baking, and therefore do not provide ideal texture. Use those softer apples for making applesauce and apple butter.

How to make this recipe

One of the best things about making dessert crisps is that they don’t require precision, or even exact measurements. You have plenty of leeway to make this slow-cooking crisp your own. Feel free to load up on extra cinnamon, cut it out all together, or swap it for a medley of other warming spices, like nutmeg, cardamom, and allspice. You could even add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping. Here is how the recipe comes together:

Tossing apple slices with cinnamon, sugar, flour and lemon juice in a white bowl.

1. Make apple mixture: Add apples and lemon juice to a large mixing bowl, and toss to combine. Sprinkle the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and the cinnamon. Stir until apples are evenly coated.

Adding apple slices to a slow cooker.

2. Add apples to crockpot: Spray 4 to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place apple mixture into slow cooker.

Using a pastry cutter to cut butter into the flour mixture.

3. Make crisp topping: In large bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, oats, brown sugar and salt. Stir until well combined. Using fork or pastry blender, cut cold butter into mixture until crumbly.

Oat crisp topping over apple filling.

4. Add crisp topping to slow cooker: Sprinkle oat topping over apple mixture.

Crockpot lid over dish towel.

5. Add dish towel: Place a dish towel or a few paper towels on top of the slow cooker, and place the lid on top of the towel(s). The towels will help soak up the condensation that forms along the top of the lid, and keep the crisp topping from becoming soggy.

Using a serving spoon to scoop out slow cooker apple crisp.

6. Cook: Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for about 5-6 hours until the apples are soft and cooked through. Remove the lid and the towel(s), and cool 30 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Helpful tips

  • Use a variety of apples: For depth of flavor, it’s best to bake with a mix of tart and sweet apples. I like to use some Honeycrisp apples for sweetness mixed with a couple Granny Smith apples to balance the sweet with some tart flavor.
  • Keep the topping crisp: Keep your topping nice and crisp in the slow cooker by using a sheet of paper towels or a dishtowel to cover the top of the slow cooker before placing the lid on, steam will be absorbed and condensation will drip onto the paper towels instead of onto the crisp topping. The result is an apple crisp topping that isn’t soggy, but lightly browned and crunchy. Perfection!
  • Toppings to try: We love this topped with vanilla ice cream and a little caramel drizzle! You can also top it with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon when serving.
  • Crockpot liners: Consider lining your slow cooker with a liner to make clean up a breeze. This is such a time saver and very convenient. If you do not have any liners, make sure to spray the crock with cooking spray.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp?

A crumble is a fruit dessert like a crisp, but without oats in the streusel. Sometimes it features chopped nuts, but the streusel topping is usually a simple combination of butter, flour, and sugar that is more clumpy than that of a crisp.

Why is my apple crisp topping not crispy?

Be sure to add all of the butter called for in the topping recipe, which is what will result in both browning and crispness. Also, placing either paper towels or a dishtowel under the lid of the slow cooker will keep any condensation from making the crust soggy.

Can you make this slow cooker apple crisp gluten free?

Yes, it should work fine to use a gluten-free all-purpose flour and certified gluten free oats to make this a gluten-free crisp.

Storage recommendations

  • Storing leftovers: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. I actually love enjoying leftovers straight out of the fridge with a little yogurt for breakfast!
  • To reheat: Rewarm in the microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds.
  • Freezing: Once cool, transfer to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to about 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for an hour or so before reheating and enjoying.
Slow cooker apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

More apple recipes

If you try this crockpot apple crisp, leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Apple crisp served in a bowl with a fork.
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4.25 from 44 votes
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Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Resting time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
This Slow Cooker Apple Crisp is warm, cozy and so easy to make. The combination of tender, sweet apple slices topped with a buttery crumbly crust is so heavenly. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert for fall celebrations, especially Thanksgiving!
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 6 small to medium apples*, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices (6 cups)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the topping

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
  • Ice cream for serving, if desired

Instructions 

  • Add apples and lemon juice to a large mixing bowl, and toss to combine. Sprinkle the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and the cinnamon. Stir until apples are evenly coated.
  • Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place apple mixture into slow cooker.
  • In large bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, oats, brown sugar and salt. Stir until well combined. Using fork or pastry blender, cut cold butter into mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple mixture.
  • Place a dish towel or a few paper towels on top of the slow cooker, and place the lid on top of the towel(s). The towels will help soak up the condensation that forms along the top of the lid, and keep the crisp topping from becoming soggy.
  • Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for about 5-6 hours until the apples are soft and cooked through. Remove the lid and the towel(s), and cool 30 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Notes

*I recommend a sweet/crisp variety such as Honeycrisp, Jazz, or Pink Lady; or use half Granny Smith and half of another sweeter variety.
adapted from Pillsbury
photos by jess at jess gaertner creative
Author: Kim
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 205kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 3.6g, Fat: 12.4g, Saturated Fat: 0.9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 17.4mg, Potassium: 166.9mg, Fiber: 6.1g, Sugar: 16.5g, Vitamin A: 230IU, Vitamin C: 7.1mg, Calcium: 132mg, Iron: 0.6mg

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