This super easy Crock Pot Apple Crisp uses apples, oats, and pantry ingredients to make a delicious crock pot dessert perfect for a holiday or everyday dinner. You can also call it an apple crumble.
🍎Ingredients
Apples—apples of your choice
Topping ingredients—rolled oats, flour, brown sugar (light or dark), butter, cinnamon and nutmeg
Jump To:
- 🍎Ingredients
- 👨🍳How to Make Crock Pot Apple Crisp
- ♨️How to cook apple crisp in the oven
- ↕️How to make this a "for two" or "family size " recipe
- 🍎What are the best apples to use
- 📖Related Recipes
- What is the Difference? Cobblers, Crumbles, and Crisps
- 🍴How to serve apple crisp
- How to Store Apple Crisp
- ❓FAQs
- Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
- 📖 Recipe
Featured Comment from Catherine:
"…our dessert was Fabulous tonight… We Loved this apple crock pot dessert."
The whole house will be filled with the great smell of apples and cinnamon. Think of it as a simple apple pie with cinnamon, a crumble topping with oats but no crust. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do.
Peel and slice the apples, mix the simple topping, then dump in the crock pot and cook. The simple topping will work into the raw apple slices, making it into a pie filling.
This simple old-fashioned dessert is perfect for entertaining the family. Nothing is better than warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Home cooking goodness has never been so simple.
👨🍳How to Make Crock Pot Apple Crisp
- Peel and slice four medium apples
- Mix topping.
- Put apples in a 3 to 4-quart crock pot and cover with the topping.
- Cook on high for 2 hours, then rotate the lid to vent humidity for 1 more hour.
This is a summary of the steps and ingredients. See the recipe card or the step-by-step photo instructions below for complete instructions.
♨️How to cook apple crisp in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Use an 8 by 8 or 6 by 9 baking dish for this size recipe. For a double recipe, use a 9 by 13 cake-size pan. Coat the pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Spread the apple slices over the dish and sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for about 45 minutes until golden brown.
↕️How to make this a "for two" or "family size " recipe
This is a very easy recipe to cut in half or double to fit your needs
The full recipe makes six servings in a 3 to 4 quart crock pot. Perfect for our "for two" household since we love leftovers. A half recipe will make 3 servings in a 2-quart mini crock pot. A double recipe makes 12 servings in a 6 to 7 quart full-size crock pot.
- Use the recipe card and adjust the number of servings to half or double.
- Use the amount of ingredients in the ingredient list, not the instructions—those do not adjust.
- The half recipe will fit in a 2-quart mini crock pot.
- A double recipe fits in a 6-quart or larger crock pot.
- Cook until the edges are bubbling and the top is brown.
🍎What are the best apples to use
Apples that are firmer and tarter are the best choice here. So, if you are buying apples just for this recipe, some good choices are Granny Smith, Gala, Jonathon, Ida Red, Honey Crisp, and Cortland.
Red Delicious Apples are probably the only common poor choice due to the texture when cooked.
Adjust the sugar for the sweetness of the apples.
Soft apples may release more fluid, and the results may be runny.
📖Related Recipes
Don't miss these other apple recipes. Start with an oven-based Apple Crisp. Other desserts include Crock Pot, Apple Cobbler, Homemade Apple Crumb Pie, Berry Crumble, and Berry Crisp for Two.
What is the Difference? Cobblers, Crumbles, and Crisps
Cobblers are easy; they have a biscuit or cake topping. I have a very nice Smaller Crock Pot Apple Cobbler, which uses a cake mix for the topping.
Crumbles and crisps are commonly used interchangeably. The differentiating factor is crisps have oats in the topping and crumble do not. This seems to be not widely accepted.
The recipe name should tell you what you're getting, so in my world, this is crisp. But call it a crumble if you want.
🍴How to serve apple crisp
While it is excellent cold, it is best served warm, especially when combined with vanilla ice cream.
Some will like to drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with walnuts or pecans.
How to Store Apple Crisp
Keep your apple crisp covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap. You can generally keep it at room temperature for up to two days. If refrigerated, your pie will keep for 3-4 days.
Apple crisp may be frozen for 4 months. Cool completely and cut into slices. Seal airtight with two layers of plastic wrap and/or foil.
Reheat apple crisp in the oven or briefly in a microwave.
❓FAQs
There is a lot of moisture released with the apples cooking. To have a crisp topping, the moisture needs to be removed.
Many recipes try to absorb that humidity with paper towels or a cloth towel over the top of the crock pot under the lid. I have some safety concerns about that, and it doesn't work well.
For me, venting the humidity near the end of cooking works better without fussiness or safety concerns.
If you don't address the moisture adequately, the topping will not be crisp.
This recipe calls for flour. You may easily use a gluten-free flour substitute if you need to be on a gluten-free diet. And you can eliminate the diary with a butter substitute for a vegan version.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Start with the apples of your choice.
You will need four medium apples to make four cups of apple slices—peel and slice.
Mix ½ cup each of flour, light brown sugar, and rolled oats in a medium bowl. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, then mix well. Add four tablespoons of softened butter and cut into the topping with a fork until combined thoroughly. It will be crumbly looking.
Give a smaller 3-4 quart crock pot a heavy spray of PAM.
Add 4 cups of apple slices.
Smooth the apples, then pour the topping mixture evenly over the apples.
Cook for 2 hours on high covered, rotate the lid to allow moisture to vent, and cook one more hour on high for 3 hours total.
Allow to cool a little before serving so the apples will set up some. Great with ice cream.
📖 Recipe
Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 4 apples - medium
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Start with the apples of your choice. You will need four medium apples to make four cups of apple slices—peel and slice.
- Mix ½ cup each of flour, light brown sugar, and rolled oats in a medium bowl. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, then mix well. Add four tablespoons of softened butter and cut into the topping with a fork until combined thoroughly. It will be crumbly looking.
- Give a smaller 3 to 4 quart crock pot a heavy spray of PAM.
- Add 4 cups of apple slices.
- Smooth the apples, then pour the topping mixture evenly over the apples.
- Cook for 2 hours on high covered, rotate the lid to allow moisture to vent, and cook one more hour on high for 3 hours total.
- Allow to cool a little before serving so the apples will set up some. Great with ice cream.
Your Own Private Notes
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Use the apples of your choice. A firmer tarter apple is probably a better choice. The only apples I would not use are red delicious apples due to texture issues when cooked.
- This recipe is for 3 to 4 quart crock pot. A half recipe fits in a 2 quart mini crock pot and a double recipe fits a 6-7 quart crock pot.
- Oven instructions are in the post.
- Vent the crock pot top by rotating the top for the last hour of cooking. This will help the top crisp up better.
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Originally published October 3, 2015. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
James
Let me start by saying this is a wonderful recipe. I have made it twice now. The first time was better than the second time I believe. The apples were different. The first time I made it I used Envy apples purchased at Aldi (could buy individual apples). The second time I made it with Granny Smith apples purchased at Meijer (entire bag). The Envy apples kept their shape and a 'soft' firmness to them. The GS apples turned to almost applesauce. I was not impressed. Moral of the story is to choose your apples wisely! Now I've got a half bag of GS apples that I will have to find another recipe to cook them in.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi James,
Welcome to the blog and I so glad the recipe is working well for you.
Now, about the apple choice, I have never cooked with Envy apples although I would think they would be good. Granny Smith apple are always the top recommend apple for any pie/cobbler/crumble recipe—specifically since they hold their shape and are a bit tangy. I usually have Gala, Honey crisp and Cortlands around (I will try more Envy soon).
Again, thanks for the note and rating.
Dan
Catherine
Aloha Dr. Dan, Catherine here. Thank you very much for your advice on Not using honey instead of brown sugar. My husband brought home some brown sugar and this afternoon and our dessert was Fabulous tonight. I see where the honey was not a good idea. We Loved this apple crock pot dessert. Wish I knew how to send you a pic of our dessert. We Love your pics of your Girls. Love our Fur Babies
Love all your recipes I have tried. White chicken chile is soooo yummy.
Aloha and Peace Catherine
Catherine
Aloha Dr Dan I was hoping I can use honey instead of brown sugar??
This sounds fabulous..Mahalos Peace Catherine C.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Catherine,
The normal substitute is 1/3 cup of honey for 1/2 cup of brown sugar. But I believe you will have a clumpy mess with the honey, oats and flour and it will not spread out well. So not a substitute I would suggest doing.
Dan
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Thanks for the proofread. It got lost during the rewriting multiple times. Bake for about 45 minutes until golden brown.
ROBERT HENG
Can I do this crock pot apple crisp and leave out the OATS and make it a crumble instead
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Robert,
Welcome to the blog.
Yep that should be fine I believe. You might find this recipe interesting https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/smaller-crock-pot-apple-cobbler/
Dan
Amy H
Hello Dan, I followed the directions exactly however, I mixture did not come out crumbly rather pasty. Do you use quick oats? I am not sure how it will turn out but I am awaiting.
Merry
I don't understand what you mean by "rotating the lid?"
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Merry,
See the picture in the post. I rotate the lid a bit to allow the humidity to vent some. It is not required.
Dan
Curt Bray
I have a little trick that grandma showed me. She just loved cooking in crock pots. At her age it made it easier for her to put it in turn it on and leave it and timer would shut it off. Well the apple crisp where ya'll say the last hour to rotate lid. If u put a news paper in between last hour the news paper absorbs the stream. Just thought I'd try to keep her idea alive. She past last year.
DrDan
Hi Curt,
Welcome to the blog. Sorry for the delayed response.
I have done that with heavy kitchen towels and paper towels. It does work fairly well and thanks for reminding me.
Thanks for the note and rating.
DrDan
Lucy Chipman
Be careful using newspaper or similar items for any purposes common even 15 years ago. The ink and paper is much different now, and can in many cases add unhealthy or even toxic affects when the by products (such as would be in the food if newspaper is used in the manner that grandma used to do) are consumed.
I’m looking forward to years of new cooking hacks as we adjust to the technological advances surrounding recycling and sustainability.
Bylli
What is the serving size?
DrDan
About one cup I believe. I look at the cooking at the end and decide on what is a reasonable serving. I don't weigh or measure.
RossC
Our kind of dessert.. This will be put together before the weekend... I'm certain this will rate all 5 stars...
Kate Kyleen
Oooo yum! Do you think coconut flour could substitute for regular flour?
DrDan
While I have never used coconut flour, I would think it would be fine.
DrDan
Lyn Brauer
Sounds great! Would this work if doubled and cooked in a 6 quart?
DrDan
It should be fine.
DrDan
Dahn@savorthebest.com
I love apple crisp, it is so easy to make and it is such a healthier choice than a pie with all that extra fat laden crust.
Joan
I have this on my "to try" list and will buy some apples today. It is my husband's favorite dessert so I don't think I will have much in the way of leftovers. I can "taste" a recipe when I read it so I am leaving a rating before making it and this is going to be really good.