This crunchy Apple crisp recipe is easy enough for the kids to make and delicious too! Oh the crisp of a good apple is the best. I just love those delicious juices when you bite into those apples. This crunchy recipe will make any apple fan happy with their eats. Do you like apples? You see, if you do, and you can also cook, then this crunchy apple crisp recipe is perfect for you! Happy Cooking!
Extra Crunchy Apple Crisp
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Level: Easy
Serves:
System: US Metric
Description
Do you like apple crisp? Well, if you are like me, you probably find the best part about a crisp or cobbler dessert is the sweet crunchy topping. But there’s never enough! So here’s a recipe that’s more “crisp” than it is apple. Enjoy!
Sorry about the picture..really bad lighting!
Ingredients
- 4 whole Granny Smith Apples, Peeled And Diced
- ⅔ cups Butter, Softened
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour
- 1-¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Quick Oats
- 1-½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ½ cups Chopped Pecans (optional)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8×8 pan.
1. Place chopped apples into the pan evenly.
2. In a small bowl combine butter, flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using your fingers, gently combine until well mixed. There should be small clumps of batter. Add in pecans, if desired.
3. Sprinkle oat mixture on top of the apples.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
EASY APPLE CRISP
Quick and Easy Apple Crisp is bursting with sweet, juicy apples and a caramely, crunchy oat topping. This easy fruit crisp recipe is perfect served warm from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The quintessential fall dessert recipe!
THE BEST APPLE CRISP RECIPE!
Fruit crisps are one of my all-time favorite desserts. Who can resist that bubbling, juicy, syrupy fruit topped with the MOST AMAZING crumble topping?
I’ve tried countless recipes and proportions to get the perfect crisp topping and THIS IS IT!
The perfect crisp topping should be crunchy and crispy. It should hold together in yummy chunky clusters and should never ever be powdery and dry.
The fruit should be lightly sweetened – just enough so that it isn’t sour, but still keeping a bright and tart flavor that perfectly complements the sweet crumble topping.
The fruit should be perfectly thickened. It should be a syrupy sauce that clings to the apples. Not so thin that it’s watery and not so thick that it gets gummy.
APPLE CRISP VS APPLE CRUMBLE
Crisps and crumbles are both dishes of baked fruit with a streusel crumb topping. Traditionally, while a crumb topping would be made of butter, flour, and sugar, a crisp topping would also include oats and/or nuts. The oats will crisp up during baking, while crumble toppings stay more dense and cakey.
As time has gone by, the lines have blurred and the names crumble and crisp are now often used interchangeably.
WHAT KIND OF APPLES TO USE FOR EASY APPLE CRISP
You can use any sturdy baking apple that will be tender but still keep its shape without turning to mush when baking.
I’ve used Honeycrisp here, although Granny Smith apples are also an excellent choice.
WHAT KIND OF OATS FOR APPLE CRISP DESSERT
I use old-fashioned rolled oats for the crumble topping. It makes a chunkier, chewier, crispier streusel topping.
INGREDIENTS FOR EASY APPLE CRISP
- Apples – I’ve used Honeycrisp here.
- Brown sugar – to lightly sweeten and give a caramel flavor.
- Cornstarch – to thicken the syrupy sauce slightly.
- Cinnamon – just a touch for a cozy flavor while still letting the tart flavor of the apples shine through.
- Lemon juice – adds a bright flavor and keeps the apples from browning.
For the crumble topping:
- Brown sugar – for that sweet, caramely flavor
- All-purpose flour – to form the crumbles
- Old-fashioned rolled oats – for crunchy and chewy clusters
- Softened butter – to hold it all together in crunchy chunks
- Cinnamon
- Salt
HOW TO MAKE EASY APPLE CRISP
Apple Crisp is one of the easiest desserts to make!
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/8 inch slices
- Toss the apple slices in cornstarch, cinnamon, and brown sugar
- Mix the crumble topping and sprinkle on the apples
- Bake
HOW TO MAKE APPLE CRISP – STEP BY STEP
MAKE THE APPLE CRISP TOPPING
I get the best results by mixing the crumble topping by hand. Use softened but still cool butter. Combine all of the topping ingredients in a bowl and press the mixture together between your fingers until it is mixed and forming clusters. Refrigerate until needed.
PREPARE THE APPLES
Combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water in a large mixing bowl.
Peel, core, and slice the apples, tossing them in the lemon water as you add them to the mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the apple slices with the cornstarch, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss until evenly coated. Put in a baking dish.
SPRINKLE THE TOPPING ON TOP OF THE APPLES AND BAKE
Remove the topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle the clusters over the apples and bake.
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK APPLE CRISP?
Bake Apple Crisp until the filling is bubbly, and the topping is golden brown, about 40-50 minutes. If the topping browns too quickly before the apples are done, cover with a piece of tented foil.
It’s done when the filling is hot, bubbly, and starting to thicken. (It will thicken further as it cools.)
WHAT SIZE BAKING DISH TO USE FOR EASY APPLE CRISP
I used a 7 by 11-inch baking dish. You can also use:
- 8 by 8-inch pan
- 9 by 9-inch pan
- 8 by 12-inch oval baking dish
- 9 or 10-inch cast iron skillet
- Pie dish
- Any baking dish that holds about 2 quarts (8 cups)
- 6 ramekins (8oz each) for individual servings
It’s a good idea to put a baking sheet under your dish when baking to catch any drips, especially if your filling comes up to the top of the dish.
APPLE CRISP FOR ONE
To make an apple crisp for one, mix up the topping and store it in the freezer. Anytime you want a warm, fresh from the oven apple crisp, slice up an apple or two and sprinkle it with a little cornstarch, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Put it into an oven safe bowl and bake until golden and bubbly.
CAN YOU FREEZE APPLE CRISP?
An unbaked apple crisp can be covered and frozen for up to 1 month. Transfer to the refrigerator 1 day before baking.
A baked crisp can be cooled and then frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat in a 350 F oven until hot.
HOW TO STORE APPLE CRISP
Cool the crisp to room temperature then refrigerate for up to 3 days. Warm individual portions in the microwave.
Best Healthy Apple Crisp Ever!
The best healthy apple crisp recipe that’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup instead of sugar and topped with a crunchy oat pecan topping. Serve this delicious apple crisp warm with vanilla bean ice cream. The perfect way to use up fall apples!
PREP TIME: 20 MINS
COOK TIME: 45 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 5 MINS
Are you overly excited for fall and ready for apple season? Good, me too! Let’s make apple crisp together.
Wait, even better… let’s make a healthy apple crisp with a crunchy cinnamon pecan oat topping. You down?
Look, I love apple crisp for a variety of reasons. It’s cozy, comforting, a little bit nostalgic and much easier to make than homemade apple pie. Plus who doesn’t love the texture component of the perfectly sweet, crunchy topping? It’s everything you could want in a dessert.
I originally made this healthier apple crisp a few years ago and haven’t looked back since. You’d never know it was a little better for you either! I’ve lightened it up just enough for you to enjoy and still feel like it’s something really special coming out of your oven. Warm apples, delicious maple pecan flavor, what more do you need?! Get the vanilla ice cream ready it’s time to dig in.
What makes this apple crisp healthier?
Instead of using regular sugar like most apple crisp recipes call for, I used maple syrup in the filling. The recipe doesn’t call for much but when all is said and done, it ends up being the perfect amount of sweetness. We’re also adding a boost of whole grains thanks to whole wheat flour, and I’ve included simple ways to keep this recipe gluten free and dairy free (while still being delicious).
Ingredients in this healthy apple crisp recipe
If you’ve never made homemade apple crisp before, you are seriously in for a treat. It only requires a few staple ingredients & spices but the result is absolutely incredible. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Flour: I like to use whole wheat pastry flour for the lovely boost of whole grains, but you can also use regular flour, gluten free oat flour, or almond flour. Options for everyone! If you use oat flour, feel free to make your own right at home, too.
- Oats: you’ll also need some rolled oats (gluten free if desired) for that crunchy topping.
- Brown sugar: we’re sweetening that delicious topping with some dark brown sugar. You can also use coconut sugar to keep the recipe refined sugar free.
- Pecans: hello, pecan oat topping! I love the flavor that crunchy pecans add to the topping.
- Spices: for the entire crisp you’ll just need some cinnamon, salt and a little nutmeg. Fall flavors, ILYSM.
- Butter: a little cold butter helps the topping hold that crumble texture. Feel free to use vegan butter or coconut oil to keep the apple crisp vegan & dairy free.
- Apples: I love using a mix of granny smith or honeycrisp but I’m sure it will work with whatever apples you have available.
- Secret ingredient: the filling also calls for a little bourbon, but you can swap that for vanilla if you’d like. Either way, this apple crisp is going to make your belly (and heart) very, very happy.
How to make the best healthy apple crisp
- Prep your pan. Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or a 9 inch skillet with cooking spray, an preheat you oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make the topping. You’ll then want to combine all of the ingredients for the crunchy oat topping. Pour in the butter (or coconut oil) and combine the mixture with your hands until nice crumbles form that resemble wet sand. Pop that in the fridge.
- Make the apple filling. Toss together the sliced apples, maple syrup, spices and bourbon and let the marinate in the bowl for a few minutes to soak up the flavors.
- Assemble the crisp. Add 1/3 of the topping to the bowl with the filling and toss it together. Place all of this into your prepared pan and sprinkle on the rest of the topping.
- Bake, cool & serve! Finally, bake the crisp on a baking sheet (in case the filling bubbles over) until golden brown. Let it cool and serve with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat!
Make it ahead of time
Yes, you can make this healthy apple crisp ahead of time! Simply prepare it as directed, cover your pan or skillet with foil, place it in the refrigerator and then bake it as directed before you’re ready to serve. Easy!
Store your leftovers
- In the fridge: store any leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the fridge. Simply warm it up a bit in the microwave or enjoy cold straight from the fridge.
- In the freezer: yes, this healthy apple crisp is freezer-friendly! Assemble the apple crisp but do not bake it. Cover the crisp well with aluminum foil and transfer it to the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake the frozen apple crisp at 350 degrees for about an hour or until it’s golden and bubbly.