Celebrate fall and apples with this ultra simple crock pot apple crisp. Easy to follow step by step photo instructions to get it right the first time, every time.
Editor's note: Originally published October 3, 2015, with greatly expanded text and information along with re-edited photos.
There are many variations of this around, but they are not really "cooking for two" friendly. So I combined several recipes and cut down the amount to make it friendly for the smaller crock pot. While it is not just two servings, you will want at least some leftovers.
In keeping with my keep it simple theme:
- Peal and cut up the apples.
- Add a simple topping and cook.
Home cooking goodness has never been so simple.
My Rating
Very nice. A high 4 or low 5.
Expert Tips: Notes on Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Use the apples you have. Adjust the sugar for the sweetness of the apples. There is more topping than some may wish ( I liked it) so a bigger dish and more apples with the same amount of topping would do nicely.
Cobblers, Crumbles, vs. Crisps
Cobblers are easy; they have a biscuit or cake topping. I have a very nice Smaller Crock Pot Apple Cobbler.
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.
I think the recipe name should tell you what you’re getting so in my world this is a crisp. But call it a crumble if you want.
What Apples to use?
I'm not very picky about my apples. There are many good apples for cooking and a few not so good, but I believe you use what you have. I had Fiji today. Delicious Apples are probably the only common poor choice.
But apples that are firmer and tarter are good a choice here. So if you are buying apples just for this recipe, then some good choices are Cortland, Granny Smith, and Ida Red.
Crock Pot Size
This recipe is for smaller crock pots in the 3 to 4 quart range. If you are using a 2-quart pot, decrease by 50%. I would double the recipe for the bigger standard crock pots of 6-8 quart. I would not double the amount in a smaller crock pot.
What is the deal with the rotation of the top of the crock pot?
There is a lot of moisture released with the apples cooking. Venting the humidity near the end of cooking will help to make the crisp crisper so to speak.
Other Crisp/Crumble Recipes
Start with apples of your choice. You will need four medium which will make four cups of apple slices. Peel and slice.
Mix 1/2 cup each of flour, light brown sugar and rolled oats. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Add four tablespoons softened butter and mix until combined completely. It will be crumbly looking.
Give a smaller crock pot a heavy spray of PAM. I used my 3 1/2 quart pot. Add 4 cups of apple slices.
Smooth out apples then apply topping evenly over the apples.
Cook for 2 hours on high covered then rotate the lid to allow moisture to vent and cook one more hour on high for a total of 3 hours.
Allow to cool a little before serving so the apples will set up some. Great with ice cream.
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Simple Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 4 apples - medium
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Start with apples of your choice. You will need four medium which will make about 4 cups of apple slices. Peel and slice.
- Mix 1/2 cup each of flour, light brown sugar and rolled oats. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Add four tablespoons softened butter and mix until combined completely. It will be crumbly looking.
- Give a smaller crock pot a heavy spray of PAM. I used my 3 1/2 quart pot. Add 4 cups of apple slices.
- Smooth out apples then apply topping evenly over the apples.
- Cook for 2 hours on high covered then rotate the lid to allow moisture to vent and cook one more hour on high for a total of 3 hours.
- Allow to cool a little before serving so the apples will set up some. Great with ice cream.
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 delicious apples.
- Cut in half for 2-quart pot. Double for a larger pot. This recipe is for 3-4 quart crock pot.
- I vent the crock pot top by rotating the top for the last hour of cooking. This is optional will help the top crisp up better.
Check Out Other Great Recipes
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
Nutrition is generally for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
Originally published October 3, 2015
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
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.