Last updated on October 5th, 2021 at 03:48 pm
It is sort of almost starting to be that time of year. Fall. The weather begins to cool off from the summer highs, and certain fall flavors come in full force. Though it is most often associated with pumpkin spice and pumpkin pies, it is also the time when apples are truly in season. So what better time to make a fall apple crisp?
I originally bought these apples to make an apple pie for the site. But then I realized that I had already made and published my apple pie recipe in March in honor of Pi Day (March 14th). So, after coming to terms with how poor my memory is, I tried to think of something else I could make with the huge haul of apples I brought home from the store.
Apple crisp quickly came to mind because it is similar to apple pie. Almost like a pie without the crust and with a crumbly oat topping instead. Buttery, cinnamony, and delicious.
So bust out all your apples and get ready to have this as dessert, or breakfast, or whenever you need a warm, comforting treat.
All About the Apples
Clearly, apples are an important part of an apple crisp. So it is important to decide which ones you should use for this recipe. We’ll be mixing the apples with sugar, spices, flour, and flavorings to make the filling for the crisp.
It is best to use a crisp apple that is less prone to going mushy and falling apart in the heat of the oven. There are a lot of varieties that fit the bill. So then, it is important to think of flavor and your own personal preferences.
This list from The Kitchn gives a list of the 5 best apples for baking.
My favorite variety of apples for baking is the Honeycrisp apple. Its given name perfectly describes the apple. It is a sweet, juicy, and crispy apple that will keep its shape and have a whole lot of flavor. They are also relatively easy to find in the average grocery store, so you won’t have to hunt around for a specific variety.
Though Granny Smith has long been the usual apple for baking, I think they are a bit tart for my liking. If you like a more tart dessert to a sweeter one, then give those a try.
Or choose another variety that you prefer.
Topping Your Apple Crisp
Making the dish is actually quite simple. Mix together the topping and set it aside. Mix together the apple filling and then put it in the baking dish. Top it with the mixed topping and throw it in the oven until it is cooked through.
Well, maybe don’t throw it.
But after it comes out of the oven, you should probably let it cool for about 5 minutes. So nobody burns their mouth. Cause that’s never happened to me.
But once you are ready to serve it, you can have it as is or you can top it. I recommend topping it with any (or all) of the following:
- Salted Caramel Sauce
- Whipped Cream
- Berry Syrup
- Ice Cream
- Half and Half or Heavy Cream
- Butterscotch Sauce
So mix it, bake it, top it, and serve your homemade apple crisp whenever you need some fall flavors in your life.
Excellent Fall Apple Crisp
Course: Dessert, BreakfastDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes45
minutes1
hourApples covered in autumn flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves then topped with a crumbly sweet oat topping make a delicious apple crisp
Ingredients
- Oat Topping
1 cup old-fashioned whole oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- Apple Filling
6 to 7 large apples (see variety choosing above)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions
- Oat Topping
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with butter
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until thoroughly mixed
- Add the butter to the mixing bowl and cut it into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry cutter until the butter is pea-sized or smaller
- Set the mixed topping aside for later
- Apple Filling
- Cut the apples into thin slices and put them into a large mixing bowl
- Add the vanilla extract and lemon juice to the bowl with the apples and mix it around to thoroughly cover
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg over the apples and stir again until combined
- Layer the apple mixture evenly in the bottom of the baking dish
- Spread the oat topping over the top of the apples until they are fully covered
- Place the dish in the oven and cook for 40 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden and you can hear the bubbling of the apple filling
- Remove it from the oven and let rest for at least 5 minutes to cool
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