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Slow Cooker Baked Apples

Slow cooker baked apples are a healthy dessert the entire family will enjoy. You can also make easy this apple dessert in your Instant Pot.

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What Are Baked Apples?

Baked apples are literally apples that are baked until soft, usually with the cavity of the apples hollowed out and stuffed with a sweet filling. Or in this case slow cooked or pressurized since I’m not actually baking my apples in the oven. This recipe for baked apples is a healthy dessert option that gets most of its sweetness from the natural sugars found in the apples themselves. It’s also vegan and paleo diet friendly, too, so you don’t have to feel guilty about satisfying your sweet tooth!

filling mixture

filling mixture

A Healthy Dessert

When you taste just how delicious these baked apples are you will never believe that this dessert is actually healthy.  There’s no oats or granola; the main ingredient here is the apples stuffing that was hollowed out the cavity. The maple syrup in this recipe adds a natural sweetness to the crisp flavor of the ripe apples, and the nuts add a healthy crunch that really sends this dessert over the top. The sweet flavors of cinnamon or apple pie spice are the perfect finishes to this delicious dessert, and they don’t add any extra fat or sugar, keeping this dish on your list of “diet” desserts! My recipe for baked apples also leaves out butter, which removes a large amount of fat as compared to many other traditional recipes.

before pic of Slow Cooker Instant Pot Baked Apples (Paleo, Vegan)

Which Type of Apples to Use

Your preferred apple! Use whatever type of apple you want to use in this baked apples recipe whether they be sweet or tart. I tend to use small, sweet apples like gala apples or red delicious. One thing to keep in mind when you’re selecting your apples is the size of your slow cooker or Instant Pot. You will want to choose apples that properly fit. My 6-quart slow cooker and 3.5-quart Crock-Pot Casserole Crock Slow Cooker can hold 6 medium-size apples. When I use my oval shaped 3.5-quart slow cooker or my 6-quart Instant Pot, I can only fit 4 apples.

close up of baked apple

Make This Recipe Work For You

When it comes to the filling for these baked apples, you can make this recipe work for you. For example, if you don’t like raisins omit them or use a different dried fruit like dried cranberries or something like dates. I used chopped walnuts. What’s your favorite nut? You should use the your preferred nut. I sometimes like to use almonds or pecans. Honey isn’t vegan but you can use it in place of the maple syrup if you’re not following a vegan lifestyle.

after pic of Slow Cooker Instant Pot Baked Apples (Paleo, Vegan)

after (slow cooker)

Prepping The Apples

To make baked apples you will need to core & hollow out majority of the inside of the apples. The apple flesh is removed and mixed together with the other filling ingredients and then stuffed back into the apples. There are several ways to remove the inside cavity from the apples. The instructions listed in the recipe box is my preferred way. You may find that another way works better for you. That’s okay! Do what works for you. I like to cut the top off the apples with a small pairing knife. I then use a small melon baller to core & scoop the insides  of the apples out. Whatever method you use, be sure to leave enough of the cavity and skin in the apples so they remain in-tact during the long cooking process.

baked apples with whipped topping

baked apple topped with whipped topping

Storing Leftovers

Leftover baked apples should be stored in an air tight contain in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Can you freeze these baked apples? Technically yes, you can. Personally I don’t like to freeze them because I find that they get mushy when they defrost. To freeze them, add the leftover apples to an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Other apple recipes you might enjoy:

Apple Butter (Paleo, Vegan, Whole30)

Apple Cider (Paleo, Vegan)

Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal (Vegan)

Apple Bake (Paleo, Vegan)

I used a for this recipe 3.5-quart Crock-Pot Casserole Crock Slow Cooker.

Print
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Baked Apples (Paleo, Vegan)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 46 apples (depending on the size of your appliance)
  • 1/3 cup water for slow cooker, 1 cup water for Instant Pot

FILLING:

  • 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice + 1 /2 teaspoon cinnamon OR 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the apples:

  • Using a small pairing knife, cut a whole around the top of each apple. Using a small melon baller or spoon, core & scoop out the inside of the apples, leaving a couple centimeters around the edges in tact. Add the removed apple flesh to a medium-size bowl. Add the remaining filling ingredients to the bowl and mix until well combined. You can also pulse everything together in a food processor. Spoon the filling mixture evenly into each of the hollowed out apples. Continue to steps below.

Slow Cooker

  1. Pour the water into the bottom of the slow cooker.  Add the prepared apples.
  2. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.
  3. Use tongs to remove the apples, they will be hot.

Instant Pot

  1. Place the trivet into the bottom the pressure cooker. Pour in the water. Be sure to use 1 full cup of water.
  2. Add the prepared apples on top of the trivet.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure for 5 minutes. When done, natural release for 5 minutes then quick release the remaining pressure.
  4. Use tongs to remove the apples, they will be hot.

Notes

Instant Pot: If your apples are still firm when they’re done cooking, add 2 more minutes of cook time.

  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 247
  • Sugar: 37.9 g
  • Sodium: 5.7 mg
  • Fat: 6.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49.5 g
  • Fiber: 5.8 g
  • Protein: 2.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

 

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Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Brandon Hill

Wednesday 7th of October 2020

My wife made this- it was great! Satisfied the sweet tooth, but didnt bust the gut! Thanks FSCQ