Lately I’ve been experimenting with slow cooker desserts, and this Red Hot Crock Pot Apple Crisp quickly became a favorite. It’s a twist on the classic apple crisp — instead of relying only on ground cinnamon for flavor, this version uses red hot cinnamon candies. They add a bright color and a lively cinnamon flavor that melts into the apples as they cook, creating a vibrant and nostalgic dessert that’s easy to prepare in your crock pot.
I first developed this recipe last year, but I wanted to re-photograph and refine it during the next apple season. With a bumper crop of apples to use, I tested different approaches and toppings. The slow cooker method is forgiving and hands-off, making it a great choice for busy days or when you want dessert ready with minimal fuss. I usually serve this warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which complements the cinnamon-spiked fruit beautifully.
This recipe is ideal when you want the comfort of a baked apple dessert without heating up the oven. The crock pot steams the apples gently while the crisp topping bakes into a buttery, oat-filled streusel. The red hots dissolve into the fruit, tinting the apples and adding a concentrated cinnamon-sugar kiss throughout the filling. If you enjoy a bright, sweet cinnamon flavor, you’ll love this version.
What I appreciate most about a crock pot crisp is how simple it is: peel and slice the apples, toss in the candies, mix the topping, and let the slow cooker do the rest. The paper towel trick — placing a paper towel between the crock pot and the lid — helps absorb excess moisture and keeps the topping from becoming soggy. The result is soft, tender apples beneath a crisp, golden streusel.
If you want to vary the recipe, try mixing different apple varieties for a balance of sweetness and tartness, or add chopped pecans to the topping for extra crunch. For a deeper caramel note, stir a tablespoon of brown sugar or a splash of maple syrup into the apple layer before topping. Serve the finished crisp with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, or a scoop of ice cream for a comforting finish everyone will enjoy.
Red Hot Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Filling
- 7 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- 1/2 cup cinnamon candy
Crisp
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
Instructions
Filling
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Place the peeled, cored, and sliced apples in the bottom of a 4‑quart crock pot. Add the cinnamon candies (red hots) and stir to distribute them through the apples.
Crisp
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In a large bowl, combine the all‑purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and rolled oats. Stir until evenly blended.
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Cut in the room‑temperature butter using a hand mixer on low or by rubbing with your fingers until the mixture forms a coarse crumbly streusel.
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Evenly spread the streusel topping over the apples in the crock pot.
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Lay a large paper towel over the top of the crisp, then set the crock pot lid on top of the paper towel. This helps absorb excess moisture while the crisp cooks.
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Cook on LOW for 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. Serve warm.
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Consult a registered dietitian for advice tailored to special dietary needs.)