Slow Cooker Stewed Apples (Printable Version)

Tender apples gently simmered with cinnamon and honey for a comforting naturally sweet compote.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 6 large apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks

→ Sweeteners & Flavors

02 - 1/4 cup honey
03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

→ Liquids

05 - 1/4 cup water

→ Optional additions

06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - Pinch of salt

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Place peeled, cored, and chopped apples into the slow cooker.
02 - Drizzle honey and lemon juice over the apples, then sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg if using.
03 - Add water and a pinch of salt if desired, then stir gently to combine all ingredients.
04 - Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring once or twice until apples are tender and juicy.
05 - Stir in vanilla extract if using, immediately after cooking.
06 - Serve warm as is or as a topping for oatmeal, pancakes, yogurt, or desserts.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It requires just 10 minutes of prep and then does all the work while you're doing something else.
  • The flavors deepen and meld in ways that stovetop cooking never quite achieves.
  • You get something naturally sweet that works for breakfast, dessert, or even alongside savory dinner dishes.
02 -
  • If your slow cooker runs hot, check the apples around the 2.5-hour mark—some models cook faster, and you don't want mushy compote unless that's your goal.
  • Don't use all watery apples like Red Delicious; they'll turn into sauce instead of maintaining texture, which changes the whole eating experience.
03 -
  • Use a slow cooker on low rather than high—high heat can make the apples mushy before the flavors properly develop, and you lose that delicate balance between sweetness and spice.
  • If you're doubling this recipe, don't increase the honey proportionally; add it slowly while tasting, because the concentration becomes more intense with more apples cooking together.
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