24 Cozy, Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes That Are Perfect for Fall

After a long summer filled with fun in the sun, it can be really nice to settle into a slow, cozy and relaxing fall routine. That's why we love these low and slow recipes that come together in the slow cooker. Whether it's an entrée, side dish, dessert or even a cocktail, your slow cooker is a versatile tool that can be used for so many different things. The best part? You can set it up ahead of time and dinner will be ready and waiting when you get home from work.

These recipes incorporate the best of fall produce and spices. Things like squash, leafy greens, apples and warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon make for comforting dishes that are hearty and inviting.

If you’re getting ready to host a dinner party or Friendsgiving, this slow cooker turkey recipe is a great way to make your prep a little easier. Sweet apricots, tangy orange juice and a warm blend of spices like ginger, paprika and cumin infuse the turkey with hearty flavor. It’s a fantastic centerpiece that frees up space in the oven for all those delicious sides and desserts.

If there’s a condiment that perfectly sums up fall, it’s apple butter. This recipe is fantastic because it cooks in the slow cooker all day, which means you can turn your attention (and stovetop space) to other fall foods like chilis and stews. It’s sweet, tart and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and allspice.

Stuffed peppers are super hearty, and they’re a great weeknight meal that can be made right in the slow cooker. The peppers hold in the meat like a shell, while still achieving a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Top with sour cream for a comforting, nourishing dinner your whole family will love.

This greens and dumplings recipe couldn’t get any easier, thanks to store-bought bread dough and your slow cooker. Start by combining the greens with pancetta, chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and garlic, then top with cut-up bits of bread dough. As the greens cook together the dough will puff into perfect little dumplings. It’s a hearty, healthy side dish you’ll want to serve all fall.

Chili is a great dish to make in the fall because it’s hearty, warm and helps use up some leftover summer vegetables you might have in your refrigerator. Things like summer corn and bell peppers can easily transition into a fall dish with this tasty recipe. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with warm tortillas.

Sweet potatoes are a healthy and hearty side dish that are totally versatile, so you can serve them with a wide array of different entrees. This recipe packs in extra fall flavor thanks to the addition of pumpkin pie spice. It’s savory and sweet at the same time, with a hint of balancing acidity thanks to the orange juice. Serve with crunchy walnuts.

Once the weather starts to cool down there’s nothing better than a spiced drink to warm you up from the inside out. Spices like clove, star anise and cinnamon combine with orange juice, orange zest and rosemary to create a fully-flavored drink that’s warm and inviting. All made in the slow cooker, it doesn’t take up any extra space on the stovetop.

Pot roast is one of the most quintessential comfort foods, and making it in the slow cooker means you don’t have to stand by while it simmers on the stove for hours. Fall root vegetables like carrots and celery add sweet earthiness and bites of tender texture. Be sure to take a few extra minutes to ensure a thick, smooth gravy so that it thins out a bit with the juices from the meat and vegetables.

Squash is a quintessential fall vegetable, and it’s extra festive when cooked into the ultimate fall meal — stew! This one cooks for hours in the slow cooker instead of on the stove, so you can get it ready before work and come home to a hot and filling meal. Swiss chard ups the ante with extra nutritional value.

Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, and it’s a great dinner to get prepped in advance. Cooking it in the slow cooker means you can prep all the layers ahead of time then let it come together while you’re at work, school or running around to kids’ sports practices. Allowing the lasagna to sit for 30 minutes before serving helps the layers rest and stick together, so it won’t be as messy when you slice in.

Put your slow cooker to the test with this classic creamy potato side dish. We added a little bit of flour to help thicken and stabilize the cream, so it doesn’t break apart in the slow cooker. Keeping the potatoes thin is the secret to this recipe's success; try using a mandoline to make sure each slice is cut through evenly.

This is the perfect dessert for a crisp autumn day — it’s not too sweet or cloying. Just be sure to use large baking apples (like Rome or Golden Delicious) to make sure they have the right tenderness and don’t get too soggy or mushy. Better yet, the leftovers make for the perfect next-day breakfast with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Acorn squash is super dense, so it can take a while to cook in the oven. If you want to get it prepared so it can be finished by the time you finish work, a slow cooker is a great option. This recipe yields fork-tender acorn squash that’s seasoned throughout thanks to chicken stock and apple cider vinegar.

This slow-cooker chicken dinner checks all the boxes for an easy and family-friendly weeknight dinner that's healthy, hearty and comforting. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs become super tender as they cook, and the apples help thicken the creamy sauce that’s lightly sweetened with apple cider. Mustard, parsley and fennel adds freshness and bright, zesty flavor.

If you’re still eating your way through summer corn even as we enter into fall, this creamy dip is a crowd pleaser. It’s warm, cheesy and just slightly spicy thanks to chopped jalapenos. Perfect for a halloween party or tailgate, this is a dip you’ll want to make each and every year in the fall.

Fall greens taste better when they’ve simmered low and slow, all day long. That’s why we love this recipe that uses the slow cooker to infuse these greens with deep flavor. A ham hock or hunk of smoked meat is the key to adding extra heartiness here.

Pork gets super tender when cooked over a long period of time, and this recipe is a great way to do it. Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce add deep heat, while the pumpkin adds earthy sweetness. It’s a rich and hearty take on traditional chili that’s perfect for fall.

If you’re someone who never tires of a crisp glass of apple cider, you’ll love this fall cocktail recipe. Spices like cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon are toasty and vibrant, and a bit of maple syrup makes it extra sweet. We’ve added bourbon to this recipe but you could absolutely skip it if you’d rather stick with a mocktail.

Packed with flavor from cumin, coriander and turmeric, this hearty stew will warm you up from the inside out. The squash soaks up all the flavor and thanks to the dense texture, it holds up well in the slow cooker without getting soggy or falling apart. Serve with couscous and garnish with some chopped cilantro.

Pumpkin is one of those fantastic fall ingredients that’s totally versatile. It’s great for soups and stews, but it tastes just as good when baked into a creamy dessert. The perfect use for it? A fall cheesecake! Cooking this cheesecake low and slow makes it extra smooth and creamy.

If you’re looking for a fall dish that comes together right in your slow cooker, this chili is a fantastic and fully-flavored option. Cocoa powder may seem a bit out of place in chili, but it has two jobs in this mole-inspired version: It adds depth of flavor and helps thicken the sauce. Serve with warm tortillas or cornbread.

Collard greens are an easy side dish for fall because they’re hearty, in-season and versatile enough to serve with a variety of different main dishes. This recipe only requires 15 minutes of prep time then 20 minutes in the slow cooker. Fast, easy and affordable, it’s a comforting dish you can make on repeat all fall and winter long.

Is it really fall if you don’t have a caramel apple? This nostalgic treat is one of the best ways to enjoy fall apples. Best of all, it can be made in the slow cooker so you don’t have to stand over a hot stove stirring sugar. We’re using green apples because the extra tart flavor helps balance out the sweetness of the caramel.