Imagine coming home to the incredible, cozy aroma of cinnamon and baked apples filling your entire house. With this Healthy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp, that dream is a reality! This recipe is the ultimate “set it and forget it” dessert, featuring tender, warm, and naturally sweet apples cooked to perfection under a crumbly oat topping. Best of all, it’s made with no refined sugar, relying on the natural sweetness of apples and a touch of pure maple syrup. It’s a comforting, simple, and wholesome treat that the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Apple Crisp
This recipe is a game-changer for easy and healthy desserts. Here’s why:
- Effortless and Hands-Off: The slow cooker does all the work! The prep takes just a few minutes, and then you can walk away.
- No Refined Sugar: This crisp is naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and the apples themselves, making it a healthier indulgence.
- Perfectly Tender Apples: Slow cooking makes the apples incredibly soft and tender, infused with warm cinnamon spice.
- A Cozy, Comforting Treat: It’s the perfect warm dessert for a crisp fall evening, and it’s guaranteed to make your house smell amazing.
Your Wholesome Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses simple, natural ingredients for a clean and delicious taste.
For the Apple Filling:
- Apples: 6 medium baking apples (like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced.
- Maple Syrup: 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Cornstarch: 2 teaspoons (to thicken the juices).
For the Healthy Crumble Topping:
- Rolled Oats: 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free if needed).
- Almond Flour: ½ cup of almond flour (or whole wheat flour).
- Maple Syrup: 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
- Coconut Oil: ¼ cup of melted coconut oil (or melted butter).
- Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Instructions
Get ready for the easiest apple crisp you’ve ever made.
Part 1: Prepare the Filling and Topping
- Prep the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker crock with coconut oil or cooking spray.
- Mix the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the cornstarch. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated.
- Arrange in Slow Cooker: Pour the apple mixture into the prepared slow cooker and spread it out in an even layer.
- Mix the Crumble Topping: In a separate medium bowl, stir together the rolled oats, almond flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the 3 tablespoons of maple syrup and the melted coconut oil. Mix with a fork until the dry ingredients are moistened and a crumbly texture forms.
Part 2: Cook and Serve
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the prepared crumble topping evenly over the apples in the slow cooker.
- The Paper Towel Trick: To prevent the topping from getting soggy from condensation, lay a clean dish towel or a double layer of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker opening before placing the lid on securely.
- Cook: Cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours, until the apples are tender and the topping is cooked through.
- Serve Warm: Let the apple crisp cool for a few minutes with the lid off. Serve warm, on its own or with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or ice cream for a delicious treat.
Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Crisp
- The Towel is Key: Don’t skip the paper towel or dish towel trick! It’s essential for absorbing moisture and helping the crumble topping get firm and crisp rather than soft and steamy.
- Choose the Right Apples: Use firm baking apples that will hold their shape during the long cooking time. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Gala are all excellent choices.
- No Peeking! Every time you lift the lid, you release heat and moisture, which can affect the cooking time and the texture of the topping. Let the slow cooker work its magic undisturbed.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for a quick and cozy snack.
Healthy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
This Healthy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp is a guilt-free fall dessert made with tender apples, warm cinnamon spice, and a naturally sweetened oat crumble topping. Sweetened only with maple syrup, it’s an easy, hands-off recipe that’s wholesome, cozy, and delicious.
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Mixing bowls
- Fork or spoon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Dish towel or paper towels
Ingredients
- 6 medium baking apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- 0.5 cup almond flour (or whole wheat flour)
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 0.25 cup melted coconut oil (or butter)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp salt
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with coconut oil or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch until coated.
- Spread apple mixture evenly in the slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, combine oats, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in maple syrup and melted coconut oil until crumbly.
- Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over apples.
- Place a clean dish towel or double paper towel over the crock before covering with the lid to prevent condensation.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, until apples are tender and topping is set.
- Let cool slightly with lid off, then serve warm on its own or with yogurt/ice cream.
Notes
Use firm baking apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith so they hold their shape. The towel trick is key for a crisp topping. Serve warm with yogurt for breakfast or ice cream for dessert.