Dessert

Slow Cooker Granny Smith Apple Crisp Recipe

ByLily Monroe October 22, 2025October 22, 2025

Introduction

Slow Cooker Crockpot Apple Crisp is a comforting dessert that combines tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a crunchy oat topping. Perfect for cozy nights, this easy recipe lets your slow cooker do the work while filling your home with irresistible aromas.

Two white ramekins sit on a wooden board with a rich grain pattern, each filled with a warm apple crisp dessert. The bottom layer is golden-brown baked apple chunks mixed with a crumbly, toasted oat topping. Above this is a generous scoop of creamy white vanilla ice cream, slightly melting and blending with the crisp. Caramel sauce is drizzled over the ice cream in thin vertical lines, adding a shiny amber contrast. In the background, a green apple and a red apple rest beside autumn leaves and a dark purple cloth, all set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 Granny Smith green apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 2 pounds)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar or sweetener
Clean kitchen towel or paper towels

Crumble Topping:

1 cup rolled oats
½ cup flour
½ cup brown sugar or sweetener
½ teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Step 1: Add the sliced apples to the slow cooker (a 7-quart slow cooker works well).
Step 2: In a bowl, combine vanilla, lemon juice, brown sugar or sweetener, and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and stir gently to coat evenly.
Step 3: Prepare the crumble topping by mixing rolled oats, flour, brown sugar or sweetener, cinnamon, and melted butter. If the mixture feels too dry, add a bit more melted butter or a small amount of water.
Step 4: Spread the crumble topping evenly over the apples in the slow cooker.
Step 5: Place a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels under the slow cooker lid. This helps absorb excess moisture and prevents it from dripping onto the topping, keeping it crisp. Then put the lid on the slow cooker.
Step 6: Cook on High for 2–3 hours or on Low for 4–5 hours, until the apples are tender but not mushy. The filling should be bubbling around the edges.
Step 7: Check that the topping is golden and slightly crisp to the touch. Allow the apple crisp to cool before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor.
If you prefer a crunchier topping, you can sprinkle some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the crumble before cooking.
Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or a sugar substitute to adjust sweetness.
For a dairy-free version, replace butter with coconut oil or a non-dairy butter alternative.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or gently in a preheated oven until heated through. The topping may lose some crispness after storage, but reheating helps restore a bit of texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a baked apple crumble in a white oval dish. The base layer consists of soft, cooked apple slices with a golden yellow and light brown color. On top of the apples is a thick crumbly oat topping made of toasted oats and brown sugar, giving a crunchy texture with shades of dark brown and golden. A woman's hand holds a wooden spoon scooping some of the crumble, highlighting its soft and crumbly consistency. The background surface has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples?

Yes, you can use any firm apples you like. Tart apples like Granny Smith work well for balance, but mixing in sweeter varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp can enhance the flavor.

Why do I need to place a towel under the slow cooker lid?

The towel absorbs condensation that forms under the lid during cooking. This prevents water droplets from dripping onto the crumble topping, keeping it from becoming soggy.