Slow Cooker Apple Butter (Gluten-Free)

Are you in search of a delicious and effortless apple butter recipe? Look no further! In this article, I share a mouthwatering apple butter recipe cooked low and slow in my slow cooker to ensure a sweet aroma and deep flavor profile. This post contains affiliate links and is sponsored by Crunchmaster. Please see my disclosures.

As we head into cozy autumn days, nothing can be more comforting than treats made with apples.

Plus, if you’ve been apple picking this October, or you bought a case of apples on sale at the grocery store, and you’re wondering what to do with them, I will show you how to put them to good use.

You can enjoy homemade apple butter that will impress your friends and family with just a few ingredients and minimal effort.

So, grab your slow cooker and get ready to indulge in a delectable spread that will elevate any meal or snack.

What You’ll Need

Make sure you have a slow cooker on hand to make this recipe. The long, slow cooking process intensifies the flavors of the apples and ensures you’ll have an apple butter that is rich in taste and velvety in texture.

You’ll need the following ingredients to make my slow cooker apple butter recipe:

• 6 lbs apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped into chunks (see notes)
• 1/2 lemon, freshly juiced (about 1 tbsp)
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Crunchmaster crackers and/or other accompaniments to help you enjoy the apple butter.

If you have an apple peeler/corer, you can use it to simplify the process of peeling and coring the apples. I peeled the apples by hand and then used my apple cutter tool to core the apples.

How to Make Apple Butter

Place the apples in the slow cooker, then top it with the lemon squeeze, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Reserve the vanilla extract to add later.

Stir the ingredients, cover, and set your slow cooker to cook on low for 8-10 hours and allow the slow cooker to work its magic.

Stir the mixture occasionally (every 2-3 hours) to ensure it’s not sticking to the sides of the slow cooker. The mixture will initially be juicy but thicken and brown as it cooks.

After 8-10 hours, remove the cover and stir in the vanilla. Continue cooking on low in the slow cooker for an additional 2 hours (or high for 1 hour), stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens further.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then use your immersion blender to puree the apple butter until it’s completely smooth and velvety.

Add the cooled apple butter to mason jars, cover, and refrigerate for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it or can it to preserve it longer. See notes on freezing and canning below.

This recipe makes about 40 ounces of apple butter, filling TWO 16-ounce (1 pint each) mason jars and one 8-ounce (1/2 pint) mason jar.

Alternatively, you could fill 5 1/2 pint jars and give them away as gifts to your favorite gluten-free friends.

The Result

After a long day of cooking, you’ll wind up with a fragrant, flavorful apple butter. The amber-colored apple butter is sweet and tastes like fall.

Your delicious apple butter is ready to go and can be enjoyed in various ways. The possibilities are endless!

• Spread it on Crunchmaster crackers. The salty crackers and sweet apple butter is a winning combination – try it!
• Spread on warm gluten-free toast.
• Swirl it into yogurt. Be sure to buy plain (vs. sweetened) yogurt.
• Use it as a topping for pancakes in lieu of maple syrup.
• Top it on vanilla ice cream for an elevated dessert.
• Spread it on warm pumpkin muffins.
• Brush it on chicken to make a tasty apple butter chicken for dinner.

FAQs and More

What Kind of Apples Work Best? Using a variety of apples will result in a more complex flavor profile. I like to use a combination of Honeycrisp apples and Red Delicious apples. If you want your apple butter to be more tart vs. sweet, use Granny Smith apples or a combination of Granny Smith and another sweet apple variety.

Remember, however, that the sweetness of the apples will impact the sweetness of the apple butter. You may need to adjust the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of the apples you choose.

Shoot, I Added the Vanilla Extract Too Soon! This seems to happen often, but don’t worry if you added the vanilla to the slow cooker from the start. Vanilla usually degrades the longer it’s cooked, so taste the mixture after it has cooked 8-10 hours, then add more vanilla if needed, and don’t sweat it.

Help! My Apple Butter is Runny: If it is too watery, add it to a pot and gently simmer on medium heat, stirring often, until it thickens. It will also thicken as it cools.

What Do You Serve It With? Apple butter is super versatile. My go-to way to enjoy it is on a charcuterie or graze board with Crunchmaster crackers, fresh fruits, and other finger foods. It also spreads nicely on toasted [gluten-free] bread; many recipes use it in baked chicken, roasted vegetables, and baked goods.

Freezing Instructions: Do not freeze the apple butter in a glass jar. Instead, use freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags.

Canning Instructions: Unfortunately, I’m not a canning expert, so you’re better off getting that information from another expert. I usually enjoy half of the apple butter over the first two weeks while it’s fresh and freeze the other half. I entertain a lot in the fall, so I often make it when I know I’ll have many guests to help me finish it.

Pin to Share! If you enjoyed this recipe, please pin it to share with others.

The Bottom Line: This slow-cooked apple butter offers a fantastic way to savor the taste of autumn. With minimal effort and a handful of ingredients, you’ll be able to create a delectable and irresistible spread to enjoy all fall long!