Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling
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If you’re anything like me and love the taste of apple pie but could skip the crust, then you’re going to love this recipe. This slow cooker apple pie filling brings all the cozy, fall flavors of cinnamon and apples, but without the fuss of actually making a pie.
Apple Filling is the Best Part
If you are the kind of person that likes the center of a cinnamon roll, let me tell you, this scoopable apple pie is going to be one of your favorite fall treats. You don’t need a pie crust or to fuss with any canned fruit filling to get to the best part of the pie. And the real kicker is that by making them with the slow cooker, and just like crockpot apple dump cake, you can set it and forget it—no need to babysit!
Plus there are so many ways you can enjoy apple pie filling—on top of vanilla ice cream, over waffles, or just by themselves as a side dish. It’s the perfect way to get all the flavors of an apple pie without effort.
Ingredients Needed
You will need apples (the kinds I suggest are down below a little further if you want my opinion), cornstarch, granulated white sugar, lemon or lemon juice, vanilla extract, plus all your spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Prepping apples for a crockpot
Before you get started, you need to prep the apples. I find the best way to do it is to peel the apple with a paring knife, then use an apple corer and slicer to cut down the apple.
After that you will need to slice down the individual pieces of the apple to be thinner (see image below to see how thin I made them).
How to make Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling
You first need to great the slow cooker or add a liner. I like the liner option if you have some laying around because it really means a clean slow cooker when you are done cooking.
Add all of the peeled and sliced apples to bottom of the slow cooker. Then in a separate mixing bowl, combine cornstarch, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, spices and water. Use a whisk to make sure everything is mixed up well.
Pour that cinnamon juice mixture over all the apples and the mix up again. Cover the crockpot with a lid and heat for 1.5 hours on HIGH. When cooking is complete, stir everything again. Turn off the slow cooker and allow it to cool down until just warm. This will allow all the juice to finish thickening. That is it! Then apples are ready to serve in whatever way you want.
What are the best apples for a crockpot?
When it comes to making crockpot apples, it really comes down to personal preference. You can honestly use any apple you want but here are my favorites:
- Braeburn: These are my go-to apples. They have the perfect balance of sweetness and hold their shape really well. Plus, they pair well with cinnamon and nutmeg. I will say that they are also really small so you may need more than you think you do if you go this route.
Granny Smith: If you like a tart bite, Granny Smith is your best bet. They’re firm and balance out well with some sweetness. I actually bake with them quite often – make sure to check out my granny smith apple pie recipe if you love them like I do.
Honeycrisp: Sweet and crisp, Honeycrisp apples are a great option too. They stay firm when cooked, and usually do not turn brown or go mushy as quickly. Just to note, they are the juiciest of most of the apples I use so there may be extra liquid.
The best ways to serve crockpot apples
I think it goes without saying that ice cream is going to be a win. You cannot go wrong making it a topping for a sundae, banana split, or just a plain scoop of vanilla. Second, do not discount serving apples with ham. Ham is pretty sweet by itself and adding apple on the side is really good.
Regarding toppings, a little drizzle of caramel or whipped cream is like making a deconstructed pie (is that a thing?).
More Recipes to use up Apples
Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 cups apples cored, peeled, and sliced thin
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp lemon juice or juice of 1/2 a fresh lemon
- 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Prep Apples
- Peel, core, and slice apples thin. The best way to cut apples is to use a corer and a slicer. That gives you 8 thick apple wedges. Then peel the skin off the wedges with a pairing knife. Cut each individual wedge into another 3 pieces. I'd say thickness is about 1/8" But 1/4" would be fine, too.8 cups apples
How to make Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling
- Grease the slow cooker with nonstick spray or use a liner. Add the sliced apples.
- In a small bowl, mix cold water and cornstarch to make a slurry. Then, add sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and spices. Stir until well combined.3/4 cup water, 2 tbsp corn starch, 1/3 cup white sugar, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pour the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the apples and stir with a spatula to evenly coat them. Cover and cook on high for 1 ½ hours. Stir again once cooking is done.
- Cover and cook on high for 1 ½ hours. Stir again once cooking is done.
Notes
What size crockpot is needed?
I recommend an 8-quart size crockpot (large crockpot). This gives you plenty of room for a lot of apples but also to stir well without overfilling.Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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