Easy Crock Pot Apple Crisp recipe featuring tender cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery oat topping. A simple slow cooker dessert for cozy, hands-off baking.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp is a warm, comforting dessert that’s incredibly easy to make. Tender, sweet apples are cooked slowly with cinnamon and spices, then topped with a buttery oat crumble that bakes to golden perfection.
This slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a homemade treat without spending hours in the kitchen. If you enjoy apple desserts, try making Apple Pie Cookies and Caramel apple dump cake for more Easy Apple Desserts.
For another flavor, try Pumpkin Crisp.
Table of contents
Difference Between Apple Pie And Apple Crisp
Apple pie and apple crisp are both classic desserts featuring delicious baked apples, but they differ mainly in their toppings and textures. Apple pie has a flaky pastry crust usually both on the bottom and top encasing the apple filling.
Apple crisp, on the other hand, skips the traditional pie crust and instead has a crumbly topping made of oats, butter, sugar, and sometimes nuts. This topping creates a crunchy, textured contrast to the soft baked apples beneath.
Overall, apple pie is more structured and pastry-heavy, while apple crisp is lighter with a crispy, oat-based topping. Both are comforting and delicious, just with different takes on the crust!
Ingredients
- Brown Sugar. Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe is easy to make and adds rich sweetness to the crisp topping.
- All Purpose Flour. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup rather than scooping to avoid packing, ensuring accurate measurement.
- Salted Butter. Melted salted butter is used to bind the topping and add buttery richness.
- Ground Cinnamon. Adjust the amount of cinnamon to your taste for that perfect warm spice flavor.
Get the complete list of ingredients in the recipe card at the bottom.
Variations and Substitutions
- Pie Filling. Feel free to use any pie filling recipe you like. Peach and blueberry are tasty alternatives that work wonderfully in this crisp.
- Granny Smith Apples. Fresh sliced Granny Smith apples tossed in lemon juice add a tart and fresh flavor to the dessert.
- Nuts. Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch and rich flavor.
- Gluten-Free. Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Vegan. For a vegan-friendly version, substitute the butter with coconut oil or your preferred plant-based alternative.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Prepare the crock pot. Spray a 5 or 6 quart crock pot with cooking spray. This step is important as it makes cleanup so much easier. You can also use a crock pot liner if you prefer.
Step 2. Next, spread the apple pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 3. Combine the topping ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Then evenly pour this mixture on top of the apple pie filling in the crock pot.
Step 4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours until the edges are browned slightly.
Step 5. Be careful not to overcook this. Serve warm topped with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy!
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover apple crisp covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will keep fresh for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can freeze apple crisp for up to 3 months. Wrap it well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat apple crisp in the oven at 350ยฐF for 15-20 minutes until warmed through and the topping is crisp again. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the texture.
Topping Ideas
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve the apple crisp warm with a scoop of No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream so it melts into the dessert for a creamy, delicious bite.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle with Homemade Caramel Sauce for a decadent, sweet finish that complements the tart apples beautifully.
- Whipped Cream: Top with a dollop of whipped creamโstore-bought or Homemade Whipped Cream for a light, fluffy contrast to the warm crisp.
- Additional Ideas: Try adding chopped toasted nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top for extra texture and flavor.
Pro Tips
- Cooking Time: Crockpot cooking times can vary depending on the model, so you may need to adjust the time to ensure the apple crisp is cooked through.
- Remove the Lid: If the topping isnโt getting crispy, try removing the lid during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. This helps reduce condensation and lets the topping crisp up.
- Crockpot Liners: Use a slow cooker liner to make cleanup easier and faster. If you donโt have liners, be sure to generously spray the crockpot with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Ahead: The topping mixture freezes well! Prepare it in advance, store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months, then sprinkle over fruit and bake whenever youโre ready. This makes for a quick and easy dessert anytime.
- Additional Tip: For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the topping mix.
Can You Use Fresh Apples?
Yes, you can definitely use fresh apples for this recipe! Here are a few tips for using fresh apples:
- Choose Tart Apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn apples work great because their tartness balances the sweetness of the topping.
- Slice Evenly: Peel and slice the apples evenly so they cook uniformly.
- Toss in Lemon Juice: To prevent browning and add a bright flavor, toss the sliced apples in fresh lemon juice before adding them to the crockpot.
- Adjust Sweetness: Since fresh apples can vary in sweetness, taste and adjust the amount of sugar accordingly.
- Add Spices: Fresh apples pair wonderfully with cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spiceโadd to taste.
Using fresh apples gives your crockpot apple crisp a fresh, homemade flavor thatโs hard to beat!
More Easy Slow Cooker Desserts
- Crockpot Peanut Clusters Recipe
- Slow Cooker Lava Cake Recipe
- Crock Pot Better Than Sex Cake
- Easy Crock pot Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
- Crock Pot Pecan Pie
Give this Slow Cooker Apple Crisp recipe a try for a quick and easy dessert any night of the week. It is also inexpensive to make. Please leave a comment once you try it.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 42 oz. Apple Pie Filling
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Salted Butter melted
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Spray a 5 or 6 quart crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the apple pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the other ingredients. Then evenly pour this mixture on top of the apple pie filling in the crock pot.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours to 2 ½ hours until the edges are browned slightly and the apple crisp is cooked through.
- Then serve warmed topped with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy!
Can you make this in an oven?
Yes, I hope a baked version that you can find here – https://dessertsonadime.com/apple-crisp-recipe/