Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Crisp
Tender baked apples topped with a crunchy oat and pecan topping, slowly cooked to caramelized perfection with a hint of sea salt. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 255 minutes layers peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 6 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon in a large bowl until evenly coated; transfer to a greased 4-quart slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, and 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Stir with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 3: Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours until the apples are tender and the topping is golden and crisp.
- Step 4: Drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce over the warm crisp, then sprinkle with 1 tsp sea salt flakes for a perfect salted caramel finish. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Crisp take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Crisp?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Crisp?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Crisp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Crisp?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
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