Fall is in the air, and that means one thing: apple season! This old-fashioned apple crisp recipe is perfect for those chilly autumn days. Make Crock Pot Apple Crisp in your slow cooker for a large gathering or when you need a comforting dessert that doesn't require a lot of effort!
Apple season is one of the best times of the year because it means delicious dessert recipes made with in-season apples.
One of the best ways to enjoy the flavor of apples is by making an old-fashioned apple crisp. Apple crisp is a type of fruit crumble that typically has a streusel topping made with oats, flour, sugar, and butter.
A classic apple crisp recipe is traditionally baked in the oven until golden brown. But you can make this easy apple crisp with oats using your slow cooker!
Simply prepare the apples and add them to the crockpot along with the crispy oat topping. Let it slow cook until the apples are sweet and fork-tender, and you'll have an easy slow cooker dessert that's perfect for fall!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It's a great way to use in-season apples in the fall, no matter which kind you enjoy.
- This dessert is perfect for a family or can be increased to feed a large crowd.
- The slow cooker does all the work for you. Dump everything in and let it simmer away.
- You can serve it as is or make it decadent with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on top.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fuji Apples - There are many types of apples you can choose to make this dessert. We love using Fuji apples because they are crisp and slightly sweet.
- Granulated Sugar - Helps enhance the sweetness of the apples while keeping the apple mixture thick and smooth.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg - Both of these spices add a comforting flavor to this dessert that warms it up nicely.
For the crispy oat topping:
- Brown Sugar - Sweetens up the topping while adding a layer of complementary molasses flavor.
- Old-Fashioned Oats - These add a chewy texture to the topping along with a nutty taste.
- All-Purpose Flour - Binds the ingredients together and helps give the mixture a crunch when heated through.
- Unsalted Butter - Gives the crumble a rich buttery flavor while keeping its texture.
How To Make Old Fashioned Apple Crisp In The Crock Pot
Prepare the apples: Wash the apples under cold water. Then, peel the skin with a sharp vegetable peeler. Core and use a sharp knife to cut into slices.
Season the apples: Add the apple slices to a mixing bowl, then sprinkle on the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat, then add them to the bottom of your slow cooker.
Prepare the oat topping: Add the brown sugar and oats to a bowl along with the all-purpose flour and stir to combine. Add the cubed butter into the bowl and cut it into the mixture using a pastry cutter or two forks until damp crumbles are formed.
Assemble and slow cook: Spread the oat topping over the apples in the crockpot evenly. Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until the apples are cooked through. Turn the slow cooker to warm, remove the lid, and let it cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- The best types of apples to use for apple crisps are ones that are tart and sturdy, such as Granny Smith apples. You can use any apples you enjoy; just beware that the taste and texture will vary.
- When making the oat crumble, make sure you start with very cold butter. If the butter melts, it will make the crumble too greasy.
- Cut all of the apple slices roughly the same size to ensure they all finish cooking together simultaneously.
- The amount of time it takes to cook this dessert depends on your individual slow cooker. Be sure to check the apples periodically after the first hour to ensure the proper cooking time.
- This slow cooker apple crumble will be extremely hot when it's finished cooking. Make sure you remove the lid to let it cool before serving.
Variations
- Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts topping a little extra crunch.
- If you want a little extra sweetness, drizzle on some caramel sauce or chocolate chips before serving.
- For a fun twist, try using other fruits in season such as pears or berries.
- Use pumpkin pie spice to season the dish to add a little extra Fall flavor.
- Serving suggestions: This old-fashioned apple crisp is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream. You can also drizzle a bit of heavy cream on top!
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Cooled leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Freezing: This dessert can also be frozen for up to two months! Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe dish. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating: The best way to heat this dessert is by popping it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
FAQ
Typically, an apple crisp has a streusel-like topping made with oats, whereas an apple crumble is more like a traditional pie with a top and bottom crust.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free old-fashioned oats and gluten-free flour that is a 1:1 ratio with regular all-purpose flour.
Yes, you can absolutely make this recipe ahead of time! Simply prepare the dish and store it in the fridge overnight. Then, when you’re ready to bake, pop it in the oven or crock pot and let it warm through.
The best way to make sure your apple crisp is crispy is by using the right type of apples. For this recipe, we recommend Granny Smith apples because they are tart and firm. Another tip is to make sure you don't overcook the apples. They should be cooked through but still slightly firm.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Apples
- 6 Fuji apples (peeled and sliced)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Topping
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter (diced into ½" cubes)
Instructions
- Add sliced apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine, then transfer to the slow cooker and spread out evenly.
- Add brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, and all-purpose flour to a large mixing bowl. Mix everything together. Then, add cubed butter and cut it into the oat mixture with two forks or a pastry cutter.
- Spread the mixture over the apples in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours. Turn on warm and remove the cover, and cool for 30 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Anna
Thank you so much for this recipe! It was my first time to make apple crisp and doing it in the crockpot made it less intimidating! I just finished eating a second serving because it is SO GOOD!!! I hope to try your other recipes and your suggestion of making this with other fruits!
Ryan Allen
I makes me so happy to hear you enjoyed it.
Sandy J
Made this tonight and it was a big hit! Definitely going to have a second helping when the kids go to bed because it was so delicious. I loved that it was so easy!! My house smells amazing! Perfect for this cooler Fall nights.
Ryan Allen
That makes me so happy to hear. It is one of our favorites at my house.