Description
Slow Cooker Apple Pear Crisp is a warm, comforting fall dessert combining tender apples and pears with a buttery, crunchy oat topping. Slow-cooked to juicy perfection, it features cozy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, balanced natural sweetness, and an inviting aroma that fills your home. Perfectly easy to make by simply layering ingredients in a slow cooker, this crisp delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s ideal for chilly days or any time you crave a wholesome fruity treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Mixture
- 4 cups sweet-tart apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled (optional) and sliced evenly
- 4 cups firm, ripe pears (such as Bosc or Anjou), peeled (optional) and sliced evenly
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crisp Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or almond/oat flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (or coconut oil/vegan margarine for vegan option)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: Wash, peel if desired, and slice apples and pears evenly. Toss gently with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract to infuse warm flavors and prevent browning.
- Mix the Crisp Topping: In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring a crunchy topping after cooking.
- Layer in the Slow Cooker: Spread the spiced fruit mixture evenly inside the slow cooker. Sprinkle the oat topping over the fruit layer, covering as much surface as possible to form a golden crust.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours, until the fruit is bubbling and tender and the topping is beautifully golden and crisp.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the crisp to cool slightly before serving. It’s delicious warm, especially with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- Cut fruit slices uniformly to ensure even cooking and texture.
- Use cold butter for the topping to achieve a crumbly, crispy result.
- Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain consistent heat.
- Check doneness when fruit is bubbling and tender and topping is golden.
- Peeling fruit is optional; skins add texture and nutrients, while peeled fruit provides smoother consistency.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 2 months.
- Reheat gently in microwave or oven; broiler can re-crisp the topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: apple pear crisp, slow cooker dessert, fall dessert, fruit crisp, gluten free dessert, vegan dessert option, slow cooker apple crisp, easy fall recipe