3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples
If you’re craving an easy slow cooker dessert that feels warm, nostalgic, and incredibly comforting, these 3-ingredient slow cooker cinnamon apples are a must-try. Made with tender apples and classic Red Hots cinnamon candies, this old-fashioned crockpot recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a sweet-and-spicy apple dessert with almost no effort.
Inspired by traditional stewed apples and baked cinnamon apples, this recipe adds a fun retro twist. As the apples cook low and slow, the Red Hots melt into a glossy cinnamon syrup, coating every slice in bold flavor and a beautiful rosy color. The result is a crockpot cinnamon apple dessert that tastes like it came straight from Grandma’s kitchen without the extra work.
With just 3 ingredients and a slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, fall desserts, holiday gatherings, and potlucks, especially when you have extra apples to use up.
Benefits of These Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples:
Only 3 ingredients simple, affordable, and pantry-friendly
Hands-off slow cooker recipe set it and forget it
Budget-friendly apple dessert for feeding a crowd
Perfect for fall and holiday menus
Versatile dish dessert, breakfast topping, or side
Naturally sweetened with candy (no added sugar needed)
Great make-ahead recipe flavor improves overnight
How to Serve Crockpot Cinnamon Apples
These slow cooker cinnamon apples with Red Hots are incredibly versatile:
Spoon warm over vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert
Use as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast
Stir into oatmeal or yogurt for a cozy breakfast
Sprinkle with toasted pecans or granola for added crunch
For parties, keep them warm in the slow cooker and let guests build their own apple sundaes with whipped cream or mascarpone.
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
8 medium firm apples (Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup Red Hots cinnamon candies
½ cup water
Directions:
Slice apples into uniform ½-inch wedges for even cooking.
Place apples in a 4–6 quart crockpot. Pour in water and sprinkle Red Hots evenly over the top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1½–2 hours, until apples are tender and syrupy.
Gently stir to coat apples. For a thicker sauce, uncover and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes.
Enjoy warm, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Flavor deepens overnight.
Variations & Expert Tips:
Richer flavor: Stir in 1–2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla at the end
Milder cinnamon: Use ¾ cup Red Hots plus 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar
Extra bold: Increase Red Hots to 1¼ cups
Best texture: Combine sweet apples with Granny Smith for balance
Fall spice boost: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves
Crumble-style dessert: Top with granola and bake briefly for a crisp finish
