Fall in a Bowl: Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops

Quick Comparison: Loin Chops vs. Shoulder Chops

Cut of Pork	Slow Cooker Performance	Best Practice for This Recipe
Thick-Cut Bone-In Loin Chops	Excellent moisture retention; looks beautiful on the plate.	Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours to prevent drying out.
Boneless Pork Loin Chops	Convenient and easy to slice, but can dry out faster.	Keep the apple layer thick on top to trap moisture.
Pork Shoulder Chops (Blade Chops)	High marbled fat content; becomes incredibly tender and shreddable.	Perfect for a longer 6-hour cook cycle.

Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 4–5 hours (Low) | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 Thick-cut pork chops (boneless or bone-in, about 1-inch thick)
• 3 Large baking apples (Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith), cored and sliced
• 1 Medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (adds a brilliant savory depth)
• 3 tbsp Light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1/2 Cup Apple cider (or chicken broth)
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the Pork

Pat your pork chops dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a light dusting of cinnamon.

💡 Chef’s Choice Tip: If you have an extra 5 minutes, sear the seasoned pork chops in a hot skillet with a splash of olive oil for 2 minutes per side before adding them to the crockpot. This locks in extra flavor and gives the meat a beautiful golden color, though the dump-and-go method works beautifully without it!

2. Layer the Base

Place the thinly sliced yellow onions into the bottom of your slow cooker inserts. Lay the seasoned pork chops in a single layer directly over the onions. Pour the apple cider or chicken broth around the sides of the chops.

3. Dump the Apples and Spices

Dump your fresh apple slices completely over the top of the pork chops, creating a thick blanket of fruit. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, remaining cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Sprinkle this spice blend evenly over the apple layer, then top with the small cubes of butter.

4. Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the crockpot securely with its lid. Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours (or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours). You will know it’s ready when the apples are perfectly tender and the pork registers an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F) with a meat thermometer.