Name: Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-489515H44M12S
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Apple Filling: 10 cups sliced apples, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp flour, ½ cup sugar, 1½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp cloves, ¼ tsp all‑spice; Crumb Topping: 1 cup flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 Tbsp sugar, ½ cup oats, ½ cup chopped pecans, ½ tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ½ cup cold cubed butter; Garnish: 1 cup salted caramel sauce, flaky sea salt (optional), vanilla ice cream (optional)

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Short Description

A comforting skillet apple crisp with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery oat and pecan crumble—perfect when served warm with a drizzle of caramel and a scoop of ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Warm autumn flavors: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and all-spice gives a cozy taste
Texture contrast: Soft baked apples beneath a crisp, nutty topping
Easy to make: One skillet or baking dish, pantry-friendly ingredients
Customizable garnish: Add caramel, sea salt, or ice cream for extra indulgence

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Apple Filling

10 cups sliced apples (see post for recommended varieties)
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground all-spice

For the Crumb Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup (106 g) packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
½ cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup chopped pecans
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For Garnish

1 cup salted caramel sauce
Flaky sea salt for sprinkling, optional
Vanilla ice cream for serving, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 °F. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet or 9×13-inch baking dish.
Toss apples: In a large bowl, combine sliced apples and lemon juice. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, and spices; sprinkle over apples and toss to coat evenly. Transfer to prepared skillet.
Make crumb topping: In a large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oats, pecans, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender or forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple mixture.
Bake: Place in the oven for 45–50 minutes, until the topping is golden and apples are tender.
Serve: Drizzle with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt if using. Serve warm topped with vanilla ice cream.

Servings And Timing

Serves 8–10
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Bake time: 45–50 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour

Variations

Fruit mix: Add pears or substitute half of the apples for them
Nut swap: Use walnuts or almonds instead of pecans
Gluten-free: Replace flour with gluten-free blend
Spice enhancement: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger for extra warmth
Healthier option: Swap half the butter for coconut oil in the topping

Storage/Reheating

Room temperature: Cover and store for up to 2 days
Refrigerator: Keep for 4 days in an airtight container
Freezer: Freeze cooled crisp in portions (without ice cream) for up to 3 months
Reheat: Warm in a 350 °F oven for 15 minutes or microwave individual servings until hot

FAQs

Can I use a different apple type?
Yes—Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work well; mix sweet and tart varieties for best flavor.

Can I bake it in smaller dishes?
Yes—use individual ramekins (bake for ~30 minutes) or a square 8×8-inch dish (bake time similar).

Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely—prepare the crisp and chill; bake just before serving for best texture.

Is the caramel garnish necessary?
No, but it adds luxurious flavor. Use maple syrup or dulce de leche as alternatives.

Can I omit nuts?
Yes—omit pecans or replace with extra oats or seeds for crunch.

How do I keep the topping crisp?
Serve soon after baking. To retain texture, reheat uncovered in the oven.

Can I reduce sugar?
Yes—reduce sugar in apple filling by up to half; slash topping sugar slightly as well.

Is this dessert kid-friendly?
Definitely—sweet, gooey, and simple to eat; children love it with ice cream.

Can I make a dairy-free version?
Yes—use dairy-free butter and non-dairy ice cream or whipped topping.

Does the skillet matter?
No—cast iron helps with even baking, but any oven-safe dish works perfectly.

Conclusion

This Homemade Apple Crisp is warm, flavorful, and effortlessly easy—featuring tender cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy oat-nut topping, elevated by caramel and optional ice cream. It’s the perfect cozy dessert for fall and beyond. Enjoy!