Apple Crisp with Oat Topping
In short: Spiced sliced apples baked under a crunchy brown sugar and oat topping. A simple, pastry-free dessert that is best served warm with ice cream. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Apple crisp is the quick relative of apple pie: sliced apples under a crunchy oat topping instead of pastry. It needs no rolling and no chilling, and it is forgiving about the apples, the dish and the timing. A mix of tart and sweet apples gives the best flavor and keeps some texture, and cold butter rubbed into the topping gives it crunch. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or cream.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and butter a 23 cm (9 in) square baking dish or a 2 liter (8-cup) dish.
- Toss the apple slices with the brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon and salt. Spread them evenly in the dish.
- For the topping, stir the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until the mixture forms clumps with some pea-sized lumps.
- Scatter the topping over the apples, covering them completely.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the topping is deep golden and the apple juices bubble thickly at the edges.
- Rest for 15 minutes so the juices thicken, then serve warm with ice cream or cream.
Tips
- Mix firm tart apples with a sweeter variety. The tart ones hold their shape, and the sweet ones soften into a sauce.
- For an extra crunchy topping, add 40 g (1/3 cup) of chopped pecans or walnuts, and chill the finished topping for 10 minutes before scattering it.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
A crisp usually has rolled oats in the topping and bakes up crunchier, while a crumble is typically flour, butter and sugar, with a sandier texture. The two names are often used for the same dish.
Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the filling and keep the topping separate in the fridge for up to a day, then bake just before serving. Reheat leftovers at 160°C (325°F) for 15 minutes.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling gives a smoother filling, but thin-skinned apples can be left unpeeled for extra color and fiber.
How long does it take to make Apple Crisp with Oat Topping?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Apple Crisp with Oat Topping?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 65 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 65 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 40 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
