This slow cooker red hot apples recipe is a must-try! Take ordinary apples and turn them into an irresistible sweet treat using red hot candies, ground cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
If you’re looking for other dessert-like crockpot recipes, then you may want to try our Slow Cooker Candied Pecans or Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake. Also, we have lots of other apple dessert recipe suggestions at the end of this post.
What are red hot apples?
Thinking back to childhood, you probably can remember seeing those cinnamon imperials at the local gas station store. Those red hot candies were a favorite of mine, but it’s what you could do with them that made them even more impressive.
There are cinnamon apples, and then there are red hots cinnamon candies. Put the two together and you now have an old-fashioned dessert known as red hot cinnamon apples. For some, there are fond memories of their grandma making a batch of these apples and serving them to all the kids in the neighborhood.
Whether this cinnamon red hot apples recipe is new to you or brings on a bit of nostalgia, it’s a delicious one to try!
Recipe Ingredients
- Apples: With so many apples available today, you’ll want to make sure and use an apple that can withstand being slow-cooked and keep its shape. I recommend using gala apples.
- Sugar: White granulated sugar is used to create a sweet and slightly thick sauce and fuses into the apples for a sweet flavor. (Brown sugar can also be used.)
- Red Hot Candies: Although I used cinnamon imperials, you can also use red hots as they are basically the same thing.
- Cinnamon Sticks: A must-have for adding a hint of cinnamon flavor and smell.
- Ground Cloves: Adds an additional flavor for an overall delicious taste.
- Water: Necessary for slowly cooking the apples to a tender perfection and creating the yummy red syrup.
- Red Food Coloring: This is optional for adding a deeper red color.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Combine water, sugar, cinnamon candy, ground cloves, and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan.
Step Two – Cook the mixture over medium-high heat.
Step Three – Peel, core, and slice the apples and then add apples into the slow cooker.
Step Four – Pour the cinnamon/candy mixture over the apples.
Step Five – Cook the red hot cinnamon apples in the slow cooker on high for about an hour or until the apples are tender but firm.
Step Six – Remove the cinnamon sticks and serve.
How to serve
- These red hot apple slices can be served as a side dish to just about any meal. It’s a great way to wrap up something hearty with something sweet and tangy.
- As a dessert, consider serving a couple of apple rings with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle red hots on top for an added crunch and flavor.
- This is also a great recipe for the fall season, Christmas gatherings, or as a delicious snack cuisine.
- Another idea is to use these apples in an apple pie, baked apples, or another recipe that calls for apples.
Recipe FAQs
This is a personal preference, but I highly recommend peeling the apples. The skin will come off and give you this weird taste and texture that is unpleasant.
Yes, if you throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker you may end up with red spots on your apples from the candies and some candies won’t melt before the apples are cooked.
Hot tamales don’t work. They are gelatin that is covered with flavor. The gelatin gives a weird taste and texture. Also, hot tamales won’t give you that “hot” taste of cinnamon.
Although we suggest Gala apples, you can also use granny smith apples, Honeycrisp, or golden delicious.
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Slow Cooker Red Hot Apple Slices
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup cinnamon candy I used Cinnamon Imperials, but you could use Red Hot candy *see note*
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/8 tsp. red food coloring *this is optional* I used Wilton gel
- 2 lbs. apples 4 medium gala apples peeled and cut into slices
Instructions:
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat combine water, sugar, cinnamon candy, ground cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
- Keep an eye on the saucepan, stir frequently so the candies don't fall to the bottom and stick to the pan.
- Mix until the candies are all melted, about 8-10 minutes.
- You will have a red liquid, if you want it redder, this is where you will add the food coloring.
- Remove from the heat, Set aside.
- Peel, core and slice (about ¼ inch) the apples.
- Place them into the slow cooker.
- Pour the cinnamon/candy mixture over the apples.
- Gently mix so all the apples are coated and soaked by the cinnamon mixture.
- Cook in the slow cooker on high for about an hour or until the apples are tender but firm.
- Mix every 20 minutes.
- Taste one at 60 minutes. The perfect texture is tender but still firm. The time may vary with the thickness and the amount of apples you have. Cook longer if you want softer apples.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- Hot tamales don’t work. They are gelatin that is covered with flavor. The gelatin gives a weird taste and texture. Also, hot tamales won’t give you that “hot” taste of cinnamon.
- Although we suggest Gala apples, you can also use granny smith apples, honeycrisp, or golden delicious.
- If you throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker without making the sauce on the stove-top, you may end up with red spots on your apples from the candies and some candies won’t melt before the apples are cooked.
- I highly recommend peeling the apples. The skin will come off and give you this weird taste and texture that is not pleasant if you do not peel.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
I wish you had a print version of your cookbook! I’d like to get away from printing recipes from your site so much!
I came across this by accident, but the photos remind me of the red, cinnamon apple rings in a jar, that I can’t find at the store anymore. I used to serve them to my family for Thanksgiving and Christmas when it was my turn to have everyone to my house for the holidays. It brings back fond memories. Thanks! I’m shopping for the ingredients next time I go out.