This post may contain affiliate links and we will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. Thank you for supporting us!
These slow cooker cinnamon apples are a healthy and easy recipe made with fresh apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a touch of sweetener. The apples cook until perfectly tender and have all the warm and cozy flavors of apple pie, without butter or a lot of added sugar. Let your slow cooker do the work for an easy fall recipe that’s delicious as a dessert, breakfast topping, or simple snack.
Ella and I absolutely love apple recipes, especially during the fall, and these slow cooker cinnamon apples are one of our favorites! They make the whole house smell amazing while they cook, and we love how easy they are to make. Enjoy them on their own or serve them over oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, or even with a scoop of ice cream for a cozy treat! If you love these flavors, be sure to try our slow cooker apple butter, healthy apple pie filling, air fryer cinnamon apples, and easy apple cinnamon muffins next!
Table of Contents
- 🔎 Quick Look: Healthy Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Healthy Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Instructions
- Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples FAQs
- More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try!
- Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples (Healthy & Easy) Recipe
🔎 Quick Look: Healthy Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: ~3-4 hours on low, ~1.5-2 hours on high
- 🕒 Total Time: ~3 hours, 20 minutes
- 🍽 Calories: ~90 kcal per serving
- 💙 WW: 0 points
- 👥 Servings: 8, about ½ cup per serving
- 🥣 Key Ingredients: Fresh apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, water, sweetener
- 👩🍳 Cook Method: Slow Cooker
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy: The slow cooker does most of the work! Simply peel and slice the apples. Then, add the ingredients and let the slow cooker cook them down to tender, cinnamon-spiced perfection.
- Healthy: There’s an option to make them with no sugar using a sugar-free sweetener.
- Delicious: They taste like classic cinnamon apples, while being lighter and made without butter.
- Cozy Fall Flavors: Fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg come together for the perfect cozy fall treat.
Key Ingredients
- Apples: Fresh apples are the star of this recipe! Peel, core, and slice them into even pieces so they cook evenly and become tender in the slow cooker.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon gives these apples their classic warm, cozy flavor. We also add a pinch of nutmeg for a little extra warmth and spice.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest add a bright hint of acidity that balances the sweetness of the apples and sweetener.
- Water: A little water helps create enough moisture for the apples to cook down and become tender without needing butter or oil.
- Sweetener: You can use brown sugar, granulated sugar, honey, maple syrup, golden monk fruit sweetener, regular monk fruit sweetener, or another sweetener of your choice.
Find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Sweeten to Taste: Adjust the amount of sweetener to your preference. You can always add more if you prefer sweeter cinnamon apples.
- Choose Your Apples: I love using Pink Lady apples because they’re naturally sweet with a slight tartness, but several varieties work well in this recipe. Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala apples are all great options. Keep in mind that the flavor and sweetness will vary slightly depending on the apples you choose.
- No Sugar Option: Use golden monk fruit or sugar-free maple syrup for a no-sugar-added option.
How to Make Healthy Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples
- Peel and evenly slice the apples into about ¼-inch slices.
- Add the sliced apples to a slow cooker. Then, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, sweetener, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, salt, and water. Lightly mix these ingredients.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until tender but not mushy.
- Give them a quick stir, serve warm, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- My Take: I’ve made these slow cooker cinnamon apples many times, and I love adding a little nutmeg and vanilla for that classic apple-pie flavor. I also skip the butter because you really don’t need it! The apples release their own juices as they cook.
- Slice the Apples Evenly: Try to slice the apples into similar-sized pieces, about ¼-inch in thickness, so they cook down at the same rate. This helps prevent some pieces from becoming too soft while others are still firm.
- Don’t Add Too Much Water: You only need ¼ cup of water to get things started. The apples will release plenty of their own juices as they cook.
- Taste Before Serving: Apples can vary quite a bit in sweetness, so taste them once they’re cooked and adjust the sweetness or cinnamon if needed.
- Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the apples toward the end of cooking. You want them tender and soft but still holding their shape, rather than turning completely mushy.
Serving Suggestions
These slow cooker cinnamon apples are delicious on their own, but there are so many ways to enjoy them! Here are some ideas:
- Over Vanilla Ice Cream: Spoon these warm cinnamon apples over vanilla ice cream for an easy apple pie-inspired dessert.
- Over Oatmeal: Add them to a warm bowl of oatmeal for a cozy fall breakfast.
- With Cottage Cheese: Spoon them over cottage cheese or whipped cottage cheese for a sweet, protein-packed snack or breakfast.
- Over Greek Yogurt: Add them to Greek yogurt for a simple and healthy treat.
- With Pancakes or Waffles: Use them as a delicious fall-inspired topping instead of syrup. They’d also be delicious served over our cinnamon roll sheet pan pancakes!
Storage Instructions
Store leftover slow cooker cinnamon apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For longer storage, let them cool and freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container for 1-2 months. When ready to serve, reheat individual servings in the microwave until warmed through, or gently warm them in a saucepan over low heat.
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples FAQs
Can I make slow cooker cinnamon apples without sugar?
Yes! You can use golden monk fruit for a sugar-free option, or skip the added sweetener altogether if your apples are naturally sweet enough for you.
What are the best apples to use for slow cooker cinnamon apples?
I love using Pink Lady apples because they’re naturally sweet with a slight tartness, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala apples also work well. You can use your favorite apple variety, just keep in mind that the sweetness and flavor will vary.
How do I keep the apples from getting mushy?
Slice the apples evenly and avoid overcooking them. You want them tender but still holding their shape. The cooking time can vary depending on the type and size of the apple slices.
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try!
Slow Cooker
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Slow Cooker
Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Slow Cooker
Chicken and Gravy in the Crockpot
Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples (Healthy & Easy)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and sliced, (Honey Crisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala work well)
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3-4 tablespoons golden monk fruit or brown sugar, depending on desired sweetness
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Peel and evenly slice the apples into about ¼-inch slices.
- Add the sliced apples to a slow cooker. Then, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, sweetener, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, salt, and water. Lightly mix these ingredients.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until tender but not mushy.
- Give them a quick stir, serve warm, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Sweeten to Taste: Adjust the amount of sweetener to your preference. You can always add more if you prefer sweeter cinnamon apples.
- Sweetener Options: Choose your favorite sweetener! You can use brown sugar, granulated sugar, honey, maple syrup, sugar-free maple syrup, golden monk fruit sweetener, regular monk fruit sweetener, or another sweetener of your choice.
- Choose Your Apples: I love using Pink Lady apples because they’re naturally sweet with a slight tartness, but several varieties work well in this recipe. Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala apples are all great options.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love these slow cooker cinnamon apples! They’re so easy to make, smell amazing while they cook, and are packed with cozy fall flavor. I also love that we give you several options for sweetening them, including the option to make them with no added sugar. They’re such a simple and delicious fall favorite!