🕒 Prep Time:
10 minutes
⏱️ Cook Time:
3–4 hours
🍽️ Total Time:
3–4 hours 10 minutes
🍴 Servings:
6–8 servings
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🍏 Tender, flavorful apples that melt in your mouth.
🍯 Perfect balance of sweet & spice with cinnamon and brown sugar.
🥄 Effortless: Just toss ingredients into the slow cooker and go.
🍽️ Versatile: Serve as a side, dessert, or topping for pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or ice cream.
This recipe is essentially fall in a bowl — warm, cozy, and bursting with flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
🍎 Apples:
6 large apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best — a mix of tart and sweet is ideal)
2 tablespoons lemon juice (to prevent browning and add brightness)
🍯 Marinade & Flavor Base:
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice (optional but adds depth)
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🍏 Liquid Base:
¼ cup apple juice or apple cider
Optional: 2 tablespoons bourbon or dark rum for extra richness
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Peel (optional), core, and slice apples into ½-inch thick slices.
Toss the apples in a large bowl with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Step 2: Mix the Flavor Base
In a small bowl, combine:
Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Allspice
Salt
Stir until blended.
Step 3: Layer the Apples in the Slow Cooker
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or lightly butter it.
Layer the apple slices in the slow cooker, sprinkling each layer with a portion of the brown sugar and spice mixture.
Step 4: Add Butter & Liquid
Scatter the butter pieces over the apples.
Pour the apple juice (or cider) evenly over the apples.
If using bourbon or rum, add it now.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, stirring gently halfway through, until apples are tender but not mushy.
The apples should be soft, caramelized, and coated in a rich, syrupy glaze.
Step 6: Add Vanilla & Final Stir
Once apples are cooked, stir in vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
Taste and adjust seasoning — add more cinnamon or brown sugar if desired.
Step 7: Serve
Serve warm as:
A side dish to pork chops or roasted chicken
A topping for pancakes, waffles, French toast, or oatmeal
A warm dessert with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
A cozy addition to a holiday breakfast spread
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Breakfast: Spoon over oatmeal or pancakes for a sweet, cinnamon-flavored treat.
Dessert: Top vanilla ice cream with warm fried apples and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Side Dish: Serve alongside pork chops or roast chicken for a sweet-savory combo.
Snack: Eat warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a healthy indulgence.
🧊 Storage Tips
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat: Microwave for 30–60 seconds or reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.
Freeze: Freeze cooled fried apples in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat.
💡 Expert Tips
Mix apple varieties. Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for balanced flavor and texture.
Don’t overcook. Slow cook until tender but still holding shape unless you prefer apples that melt completely.
Enhance flavor with spices. Add a pinch of ground cloves or cardamom for complexity.
Bourbon or rum twist. Adds a rich depth, especially for fall or holiday servings.
Toast nuts. Top with toasted pecans or walnuts for added crunch and flavor.
Crockpot liner: Makes cleanup easier and keeps the slow cooker spotless.
🧁 Variations
Apple Cinnamon Crumble: Top with crumbled oat topping before serving.
Maple Glazed Apples: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a warm, earthy sweetness.
Apple Pie Style: Add a pie crust over the apples in the slow cooker during the last hour.
Caramel Apple: Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle sea salt before serving.
Spiced Autumn Apple: Add a pinch of pumpkin spice for fall vibes.
🧮 Nutrition (Approximate per serving, based on 8 servings)
Calories: 140
Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 0.3 g
Sugar: 26 g
SLOW COOKER CRACKER BARREL FRIED APPLES
