Slow Cooker Apple Crumble

This easy slow cooker apple crumble is one of those cosy desserts that always goes down well in our family home. Made with tart Bramley apples, warming cinnamon, vanilla and a buttery oat crumble topping, it’s simple, comforting and full of those lovely homemade flavours we all love.

I love that most of the work is done by the slow cooker, leaving you with a warm, comforting pudding that’s perfect for everyone to dig into.

The apples cook down into a soft, sweet and slightly tangy filling, while the crumble topping is added towards the end for a deliciously buttery finish.

Serve it warm with creamy custard, vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream for the ultimate comforting dessert.

If you’re loving the simplicity of using your slow cooker for cosy family meals, my Classic Beef Stew is another recipe worth trying. It’s hearty, comforting and perfect for those colder evenings when you want dinner cooking away with very little effort.

Why you’ll love this slow cooker apple crumble

• Easy to make – let the slow cooker do the hard work.
• Made with Bramley apples – their natural tartness works beautifully with the sweet crumble.
• Simple ingredients – mostly store cupboard staples.
• Perfect for autumn and winter – cosy, warming and comforting.
• Family-friendly – a proper classic that everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients

For the apple filling

• Bramley apples – peeled, cored and sliced
• Light brown sugar
• Water
• Cornflour – to help thicken the apple juices
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon

For the crumble topping

• Plain flour
• Light brown sugar
• Unsalted butter – cold and cubed
• Rolled oats
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

How to make slow cooker apple crumble

1. Prepare the apples

Peel and core the Bramley apples, then cut them into reasonably even slices or chunks.

Add the apples to your slow cooker along with the light brown sugar, water, cornflour, vanilla extract, cinnamon and lemon juice.

Give everything a good stir until the apples are evenly coated.

2. Cook the apples

Cover and cook the apples until they are tender and have softened into a deliciously sweet and tangy filling.

Bramley apples naturally break down as they cook, giving you a lovely soft texture while still leaving some pieces of apple throughout the filling.

3. Make the crumble topping

While the apples are cooking, prepare the crumble.

Add the plain flour, light brown sugar, rolled oats, cinnamon and salt to a bowl.

Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until you have a rough, crumbly mixture.

Don’t worry about making the pieces completely uniform — those larger buttery pieces give the crumble a lovely rustic texture.

4. Add the crumble

Once the apples are tender, scatter the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apples.

Cook for a further 10 minutes, until the crumble topping is cooked through and then place the slow cooker dish under a grill for a further 10 minutes. This will make the crumble crispy and golden.

5. Serve

Allow the crumble to stand for a few minutes before serving.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, custard or cream.

What apples are best for apple crumble?

For this recipe, I love using Bramley apples.

Bramleys are a classic British cooking apple. They’re naturally tart and break down beautifully when cooked, creating a soft, almost fluffy apple filling that works perfectly with the sweet, buttery crumble topping.

The 50g of light brown sugar balances the tartness of the Bramley apples without making the filling overly sweet.

Why add the crumble topping at the end?

A slow cooker creates a moist cooking environment, which isn’t ideal for getting a crisp crumble topping.

Adding the crumble during the final 10 minutes means it has enough time to cook while avoiding hours of steam and moisture. Then my placing it under a grill for a final 10 minutes allows it to crisp.

Tips for the best slow cooker apple crumble

Keep the apple pieces fairly chunky. Bramley apples soften considerably as they cook, so cutting them too small can result in a very smooth filling.

Don’t skip the lemon juice. It helps balance the sweetness and brings out the flavour of the apples.

Use cold butter for the crumble. This helps create those lovely crumbly pieces.

Don’t overwork the crumble. A few larger pieces are exactly what you want.

Add the crumble towards the end. This is the key to getting the best possible topping from a slow cooker.

Can I make the crumble ahead?

Yes. You can prepare the crumble topping in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

This is particularly handy if you’re making the apple filling earlier in the day.

How to serve apple crumble

For me, apple crumble is best served warm with vanilla custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The tart, soft Bramley apples, sweet cinnamon and buttery crumble are the perfect combination — especially on a chilly evening.

And if you’re firmly on team custard, don’t be shy with it!

More homemade recipes to try

If you love simple, homemade bakes, my Wholemeal Banana Bread is another favourite. Made with wholesome wholemeal flour and ripe bananas, it’s a lovely easy bake for using up bananas and makes a delicious breakfast, snack or afternoon treat with a cup of tea.