If you love the cozy flavors of apple pie and hearty pork chops, this 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Pie Pork Chops recipe brings the two together in one incredibly easy dinner.
Tender pork chops slowly cook with sweet apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of butter. As everything cooks, the apples become soft and flavorful while the brown sugar and cinnamon create a warm, pie-inspired sauce that complements the savory pork.
This is the kind of easy slow cooker recipe that’s perfect for a busy weeknight, a cozy Sunday dinner, or a fall-inspired family meal.
With only five main ingredients, preparation is simple, cleanup is minimal, and the slow cooker does most of the work.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Pork Chops
Only 5 Main Ingredients
You don’t need a complicated grocery list. The entire recipe is built around five simple ingredients.
Sweet and Savory Flavor
The combination of savory pork, sweet apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter creates a comforting flavor that’s both familiar and satisfying.
Easy Slow Cooker Preparation
There’s very little hands-on work. Simply prepare the apples, layer the ingredients, and let the slow cooker handle the cooking.
Perfect for Fall
The combination of apples and cinnamon makes this an especially cozy recipe for autumn dinners.
Family-Friendly
The sweet apple topping makes pork chops approachable for the whole family.
Ingredients
You only need five main ingredients.
1. Boneless Pork Chops
Use 4 boneless pork chops, approximately 1 inch thick.
Thicker pork chops are preferable because they are less likely to dry out during slow cooking.
2. Apples
Use 3 medium apples, cored and sliced.
Good choices include Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith.
For a sweeter dish, choose a naturally sweet apple. For more contrast, use a tart variety such as Granny Smith.
3. Brown Sugar
Use ½ cup packed brown sugar.
Brown sugar provides sweetness and creates a delicious caramel-like flavor as it combines with the apples and butter.
4. Ground Cinnamon
Use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Cinnamon gives the dish its signature apple-pie-inspired flavor.
5. Unsalted Butter
Use 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces.
Butter adds richness and helps create a glossy sauce around the apples.
How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Pie Pork Chops
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Wash and core the apples.
Slice them into fairly even wedges or slices.
You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on is completely fine.
Step 2: Layer the Apples
Place about half of the sliced apples in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Spread them into an even layer.
Step 3: Add the Pork Chops
Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
Place them over the apples.
Try to arrange them in a single layer as much as possible.
Step 4: Add the Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the pork chops and apples.
The brown sugar will combine with the moisture from the apples and butter as everything cooks.
Step 5: Add the Butter
Scatter the pieces of butter over the top.
As the butter melts, it combines with the apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar to create a rich, sweet sauce.
Step 6: Add the Remaining Apples
Place the remaining apple slices around and over the pork chops.
Step 7: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW for approximately 3–4 hours
or
HIGH for about 2–3 hours.
Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops and your slow cooker.
Pork should reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.
Because pork chops are relatively lean, avoid cooking them significantly longer than necessary.
Helpful Tips for the Best Apple Pie Pork Chops
Choose Thick Pork Chops
Thin pork chops can become dry more quickly.
Thicker chops are more forgiving in the slow cooker.
Don’t Overcook the Pork
This is especially important with lean pork chops.
Use a food thermometer rather than relying only on the clock.
Once the pork reaches 145°F (63°C), allow it to rest for at least three minutes.
Choose the Right Apples
Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith are all good choices.
A mixture of sweet and tart apples can create a more complex flavor.
Don’t Slice the Apples Too Thin
Very thin apple slices can become extremely soft during cooking.
Medium-thick slices hold their shape better.
Use Unsalted Butter
Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall seasoning of the dish.
What Does “Apple Pie” Mean in This Recipe?
The name refers to the flavor combination rather than the dish being an actual apple pie.
Brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and apples create the familiar warm flavor associated with classic apple pie.
Combined with savory pork chops, they create a sweet-and-savory dinner that’s especially appealing during the cooler months.
Best Apples for Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Different apples create slightly different results.
Honeycrisp
Sweet, crisp, and lightly tart.
Gala
Naturally sweet with a mild flavor.
Fuji
Very sweet and firm.
Pink Lady
Sweet-tart with good structure.
Granny Smith
Tart and excellent for balancing the brown sugar.
For a balanced flavor, try using a combination of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith.
What to Serve with Apple Pie Pork Chops
Because the pork and apples are already rich and sweet, savory side dishes work especially well.
Try serving these pork chops with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Green beans
- Brussels sprouts
- Roasted carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Wild rice
- Steamed broccoli
- Corn
- Simple green salad
For a cozy fall dinner, serve the pork chops with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans.
Make It a Complete Fall Dinner
For an easy autumn-inspired meal, create a simple plate with:
Apple Pie Pork Chop + Mashed Potatoes + Green Beans
The creamy potatoes balance the sweet apples, while the green beans add a fresh savory element.
A warm dinner roll is also excellent for soaking up the buttery apple juices.
Variations
The basic recipe intentionally stays at five main ingredients, but you can customize it if desired.
Add More Fall Spice
Add a small amount of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a stronger autumn flavor.
Add Pecans
Chopped pecans can provide a pleasant crunchy contrast.
Add Cranberries
Dried cranberries can add tartness and color.
Add Onion
Sliced yellow onion creates a stronger sweet-and-savory flavor.
Use Maple Syrup
Replace part of the brown sugar with maple syrup for a different sweet flavor.
Can I Use Bone-In Pork Chops?
Yes.
Bone-in pork chops can work well, but cooking time may vary depending on their thickness.
Always use a thermometer and make sure the pork reaches 145°F (63°C).
Can I Use Pork Tenderloin?
You can, but the cooking time and preparation are different.
Pork tenderloin is much leaner and should not simply be substituted using the same cooking time as thick pork chops.
For this recipe, pork chops are the better choice.
How to Store Leftovers
Place leftover pork chops and apples in an airtight container.
Refrigerate promptly and use within 3–4 days.
Store the pork with some of the apple mixture to help maintain moisture.
How to Reheat
Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered skillet over low heat.
Add a small splash of water or broth if needed.
Avoid overheating the pork because it can become dry.
Can You Freeze Apple Pie Pork Chops?
Yes, although the texture of the apples may become softer after freezing and thawing.
For best quality, freeze the pork chops together with some of the apple mixture in a freezer-safe container.
Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of apples are best?
Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith all work well.
A mixture of sweet and tart apples provides a particularly nice balance.
Can I peel the apples?
Yes. Peeling is optional.
Keeping the peel on can help the apple slices maintain some structure during cooking.
Can I use thin pork chops?
You can, but they may cook faster and dry out more easily. Thick pork chops are recommended.
Is this recipe very sweet?
The dish has a noticeable sweet-and-savory flavor because of the apples and brown sugar. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar slightly.
What temperature should pork chops reach?
Pork chops should reach 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.
Can I make this recipe ahead?
Yes. Cooked pork chops can be refrigerated and reheated within 3–4 days.
Recipe Card
The Ultimate 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Pie Pork Chops
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 3 hours 10 minutes–4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- 3 medium apples, cored and sliced
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
- Wash, core, and slice the apples.
- Place half of the apples in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pat the pork chops dry and arrange them over the apples.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the pork and apples.
- Scatter the butter pieces over the top.
- Add the remaining apple slices around and over the pork chops.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for about 2–3 hours.
- Check the thickest part of each pork chop with a food thermometer.
- Remove the pork once it reaches 145°F (63°C), then let it rest for at least 3 minutes.
- Spoon the warm cinnamon apples and buttery juices over the pork chops before serving.
Final Thoughts
These 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Pie Pork Chops bring together two classic comfort-food flavors in one easy dinner.
Tender pork chops pair beautifully with soft cinnamon apples, brown sugar, and buttery juices, creating a meal that’s sweet, savory, cozy, and incredibly simple to prepare.
It’s an especially wonderful recipe for fall, but there’s no reason to wait for apple season. Serve it with mashed potatoes and a green vegetable for a comforting family dinner any time of year.
When you want a simple slow cooker meal with big homemade flavor, these apple pie pork chops are a recipe worth saving.