I love to make apple crisp because it is easier than the pie. Probably not less calories but crusts just leave me cold.
Peel and slice a bunch of apples depending upon your dish. I use nearly one full orchard bag which is about twenty small apples. I highly recommend an apple corer and plunger - it is a simple utensil that makes peeling apples much easier and they cost from $5-$20.
I've made apple crisp in the crockpot and it is delicious and easy. Sometimes it works well to dust your apples with a little fresh lemon juice and then a mixture of a bit of sugar, Wondra baking flour and some apple pie spices.
In any event, place the apples in the baking dish or crockpot.
Crumb: Mix about 1/3 cup flour into 1 stick melted butter. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed and about 1-1/2 tsp. apple pie spice. Add 1/2-3/4 cup nice and chewy oatmeal (Trader Joe's toasted oats or Silver Palate Thick and Rough Oatmeal is what I use. Mix this all up and then press onto the top of the apples covering as much of the apples as you can.
Bake 350 degrees in your over (convection bake if possible) for about a half an hour depending upon your apples. If you overbake, well, they are delicious anyway. If you are using your crockpot, Top with the crumb mixture and cook on low for about 2-3 hours.
