You won't find a more comforting autumn dessert than these slow cooker stewed apples made with deliciously tart Bramley apples.
This classic recipe is easy to make and requires just a few ingredients, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Bramley apples, known for their tartness and unique texture, are perfect for stewing. When cooked, they break down beautifully, leading to a naturally sweet and creamy consistency.
One of the best things about slow cooker stewed apples though, is that they're incredibly versatile.
You can adjust the sweetness and spice level to your liking, and use them in a variety of ways.
Serve them warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, or use them as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or porridge. You can even use them as a filling for pies, crumbles, turnovers, or tarts.
Love slow cooker desserts? Try my easy slow cooker apple crumble or slow cooker chocolate creme egg pudding next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- The perfect recipe for a glut of Bramley apples.
- Slow cooker stewed apples are incredibly easy to make, and you can prepare them in advance and store them in the fridge for a quick and healthy snack or dessert.
- They can be used in a variety of recipes, including pies, crumbles, muffins, and cakes. You can also add them to oatmeal or yogurt for a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
- They're infused with warming cinnamon, which give them a cosy and comforting flavour that is perfect for autumn and winter.
- Apples are widely available and affordable, making slow cooker stewed apples a budget-friendly option for a healthy dessert.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Apples - Bramley apples (a variety of cooking apple) work best for stewed apples. You could also use Granny Smith apples if you want to use an eating apple.
Cinnamon - a warming spice that is commonly used in apple recipes. You could swap for vanilla extract if you prefer.
Sugar - I like to use light brown sugar which helps give the apples a glossy caramel look. You could also use caster sugar.
Lemon - the juice of half a lemon helps bring out the flavours of the dish and balances the sweetness.
Cornflour - helps thicken the dish.
Water - you'll need some water to help the apples cook and create a delicious syrupy sauce
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Place the peeled and sliced apples in the slow cooker basin.
Two: Add the other ingredients and gently stir, making sure every piece of apple is coated in the spice mix.
Three: Cook on high for 2-3 hours until the apples are tender. Check after 90 minutes and if the mixture is looking a little dry, add 2 tablespoons of water.
💭 Expert tips
- In order to prevent the apples from turning brown or oxidizing while slicing, you can add them temporarily to a bowl of cold water. Just remember to drain the water before adding the apples to the slow cooker.
- If you're looking to make a larger batch of stewed apples, you can easily double or even halve the recipe to suit your needs.
- If you're serving your stewed apples hot, let them cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning your tongue.
- If you prefer your apples very tart and sour, reduce the sugar by half.
- Don't have a slow cooker? Make stewed apples on the hob (stovetop) instead.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Slow cooker stewed apples make a delicious and healthy dessert on their own. Serve them warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Add a spoonful of stewed apples to your morning porridge or yogurt for a healthy breakfast.
Use your slow cooked stewed apples as a filling for pies, tarts, apple crumble, apple sponge (Eve's pudding), or fruit turnovers. They pair well with other fruits like berries or pears.
Stewed apples are a classic accompaniment to pork dishes, such as roast pork loin or pork chops (you could also try my easy homemade apple sauce recipe).
Blend your stewed apples with some almond milk and a scoop of protein powder for a healthy and delicious post-workout snack.
📖 Variations
- For a festive twist, add a cup of fresh or frozen cranberries to your slow cooker along with the apples. The tartness of the cranberries pairs well with the sweetness of the apples.
- Experiment with different spices to give your stewed apples a unique flavour. Try adding cardamom, allspice, or ginger for a warm and spicy flavour.
- For some extra crunch, add a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to your slow cooker along with the apples.
- For a grown-up twist, add a splash of brandy or rum to your stewed apples during the last hour of cooking.
- Add 20g of butter for a richer more buttery taste.
🥡 Storage
Store - Once you've made your slow cooker stewed apples, let them cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Store the apples in the fridge for up to a week.
Freeze - You can freeze slow cooker stewed apples for longer storage. Let the apples cool to room temperature before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheating - To reheat, transfer them to a saucepan and heat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave or in the slow cooker on low heat. Add a splash of water or apple juice if the apples seem too dry.
❓ Frequently asked questions
It's up to you. Some people prefer to peel the apples before cooking them, while others leave the peel on for extra fiber and texture. If you prefer, you can also peel some of the apples and leave the peel on others for a mix of textures.
Yes, you can add other fruits like pears, cranberries, or berries to your slow cooker stewed apples for added flavor and texture.
To prevent apples from going brown and oxidizing, place the sliced apples in a bowl of cold water with lemon juice if you wish. Drain the apples before use.
😋 More apple recipes
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Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Stewed Apples
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Bramley Apples peeled, cored and cut into thick slices
- ½ Lemon juice only
- 50 g Light Brown Sugar
- 1½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon Cornflour
- 150 ml Water
Instructions
- Place the peeled and sliced apples in the slow cooker basin.1.5 kg Bramley Apples
- Add the other ingredients and gently stir, making sure every piece of apple is coated in the spice mix.½ Lemon, 50 g Light Brown Sugar, 1½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, 1 tablespoon Cornflour, 150 ml Water
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours until the apples are tender. Check after 90 minutes and if the mixture is looking a little dry, add 2 tablespoons of water.
Notes
- In order to prevent the apples from turning brown or oxidizing while slicing, you can add them temporarily to a bowl of cold water. Just remember to drain the water before adding the apples to the slow cooker.
- If you're looking to make a larger batch of stewed apples, you can easily double or even halve the recipe to suit your needs.
- If you're serving your stewed apples hot, let them cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning your tongue.
- If you prefer your apples very tart and sour, reduce the sugar by half.
- For a festive twist, add a cup of fresh or frozen cranberries to your slow cooker along with the apples. The tartness of the cranberries pairs well with the sweetness of the apples.
- Experiment with different spices to give your stewed apples a unique flavour. Try adding cardamom, allspice, or ginger for a warm and spicy flavour.
- For some extra crunch, add a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to your slow cooker along with the apples
Kristine
I served these stewed apples with a little vanilla ice cream and they were a 10! Easy, and so yummy. Saved this recipe to make again!
Michelle
These apples were so delicious. I served them with whipped cream as suggested and it made the perfect dessert! 10/10
dana
These apples are fantastic! And so versatile. We love them with French toast, waffles, and over oatmeal!
Kate
This recipe is to the rescue! I have a batch cooking now and the aroma is incredible. My daughter did our shopping yesterday- and she bought so much fruit, haha. I wasn't sure how to use up a peck of apples- but this recipe is a start and smells so good in my house.
Ali
These stewed apples are the perfect fall recipe! Served them with some vanilla ice cream and they were such a treat.