Ok, let’s talk about apple crisp. It’s one of those desserts that just feels like a warm hug. But sometimes, turning on the oven feels like a huge chore. Or maybe you’re like me and have, on occasion, totally burned the topping. It happens.
That’s why making it in a crock pot is just plain awesome. You pretty much toss everything in and let it do the work. No watching the oven. No accidentally burning the top to a black crisp while the apples are still hard.
So, if you want a super easy dessert that makes your house smell amazing, you’re in the right place. Let’s get you set up to make the best, easiest apple crisp of your life. Seriously.
What You’ll Need
This recipe is simple, and you probably have most of this stuff in your kitchen already. No weird ingredients here.
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix works great)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need any fancy gadgets. Just the basics.
- A 5 to 6-quart crock pot (slow cooker)
- A couple of mixing bowls
- A knife for chopping apples
- A peeler (if you want to peel your apples)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A spoon or spatula for mixing
How to Make Crock Pot Apple Crisp
This is the easy part. Just follow along and you’ll be golden.
Step 1: Get your crock pot ready. Just spray the inside with some non-stick cooking spray. This makes cleanup way easier later.
Step 2: Peel, core, and slice your apples. Try to make the slices about 1/4 inch thick. Thicker is fine, they’ll just be a little firmer.
Step 3: In a big bowl, toss the apple slices with the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix it all up until the apples are coated. Then, just dump this mixture into the crock pot and spread it out.
Step 4: Now for the topping. In another bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Step 5: Add the cold, cubed butter to the topping mix. Use your fingers or a fork to work the butter in until it looks like coarse crumbs. Don’t overmix it; some butter clumps are good.
Step 6: Sprinkle that crumbly topping evenly over the apples in the crock pot. Try to cover everything.
Step 7: Put the lid on and cook. Set it on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or on HIGH for about 2 hours. It’s done when the apples are tender and the topping is cooked through.
Pro Tips
I’ve made this a LOT. Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that make a big difference.
-
Don’t Let it Get Soggy. To keep the topping from getting steamy and soft, place a paper towel over the top of the crock pot before putting the lid on. It’ll soak up the extra moisture and help your topping stay a little crispier.
-
Pick the Right Apples. Seriously, this matters. Granny Smith apples are great because they are tart and hold their shape. If you want something sweeter, use Honeycrisp or Gala. Using a mix of tart and sweet apples is the best move.
-
Cold Butter is Key. For the topping, your butter MUST be cold. Straight from the fridge. Cold butter creates little pockets that make the topping flaky and light instead of greasy.
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have something on the list? No problem. It’s hard to mess this recipe up. Here are some easy swaps you can make.
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Idea | What it Does |
|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | Gluten-free all-purpose flour or almond flour | Makes the recipe gluten-free. Almond flour adds a nutty flavor. |
| Brown Sugar | Coconut sugar or maple syrup | A slightly different, less refined sweetness. |
| Apples | Pears, peaches, or a mix of berries | Changes the flavor completely! Pears are great in the fall. |
| Rolled Oats | Quick-cooking oats or chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) | Nuts add a great crunch. Quick oats will give a softer texture. |
Make-Ahead Tips
If you want to get a head start, you totally can.
You can mix the dry ingredients for the topping and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also slice the apples a few hours ahead. Just toss them with the lemon juice and keep them in a sealed bag in the fridge so they don’t turn brown.
Leftovers and Storage
If you somehow have leftovers, storing them is simple.
Just let the apple crisp cool down completely. Then, you can scoop it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It should stay good for about 3 to 4 days.
You can eat it cold (still good!), or pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm it up.
Nutrition and Diet Swaps
Want to make this fit a certain diet? Easy peasy. Check out these simple swaps.
| Diet | Ingredient Swap | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour instead of all-purpose flour. Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. | No other changes needed. Just swap the flour and oats. |
| Vegan | Use coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute (cold!) instead of regular butter. | Use the same amount as the recipe calls for. |
| Lower Sugar | Cut the brown sugar in both the filling and topping by half. Or use a natural sweetener like stevia. | The apples are naturally sweet, so you won’t miss it much. |
A normal serving of this has around 350-450 calories, but that totally depends on your serving size. It’s dessert, just enjoy it!
FAQs
Q1. Why is my apple crisp watery?
Ans: This usually happens if your apples are super juicy. The paper towel trick helps a lot. You can also add an extra tablespoon of flour to the apple filling to help thicken it up.
Q2. Can I use quick-cooking oats?
Ans: You can, but the texture will be different. Old-fashioned rolled oats give you a chewier, more classic crisp topping. Quick oats will make it softer and a bit mushier.
Q3. Do I have to peel the apples?
Ans: Nope! If you like the texture of the peel and want the extra fiber, just leave it on. Just make sure to wash the apples well. It’s your call.
Q4. Can I add other spices?
Ans: Of course! Feel free to add a pinch of cardamom or allspice to the apple filling. You could also add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it. A super simple way to make a delicious apple crisp without any of the usual baking stress. It’s pretty much a dump-and-go recipe that will make everyone happy.
Give it a try. I promise, once you see how easy it is, you’ll be making it all the time.
When you make it, come back and leave a comment! Let me know what you thought or if you made any fun changes. I’d love to hear about it.