The Best Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe

Embrace the cozy flavors of fall with this incredible Caramel Apple Crisp! This ultimate dessert features warm, tender, spiced apples generously coated in rich caramel sauce. A sweet, buttery crisp topping, made with oats and brown sugar, adds the perfect crunch. This easy-to-follow recipe brings together delightful textures and comforting flavors, making it a delicious choice for any occasion. You’ll love how simple and satisfying this homemade treat is.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Crisp

This dessert truly captures the essence of fall in every bite. You’ll adore the irresistible blend of sweet and tangy flavors that make this Caramel Apple Crisp so special. The amazing contrast between soft, warm apples and the crunchy oat topping is simply divine. It is a comforting and nostalgic dessert, perfect for creating cherished memories. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, suitable for busy parents and beginners alike. This dessert is ideal for cozy fall gatherings or a simple weeknight treat.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your irresistible Caramel Apple Crisp. Fresh apples and a delightful topping combine for a truly comforting experience.

Apple Filling

• 2 lbs Granny Smith Apples
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce (homemade is best!)
• 1/4 tsp salt

Crisp Topping

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter (cubed)
• 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

For Serving

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Extra caramel sauce for drizzling

Notes & Substitutions

Choosing the right apples is key. Granny Smith apples offer a tart balance, but you can also use Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious for a sweeter flavor. For the caramel sauce, homemade truly elevates the dish, but quality store-bought works wonderfully for convenience. If you need a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter substitute in the topping.

For a gluten-free crisp, simply swap all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Feel free to experiment with spices like a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for added warmth.

Equipment

You won’t need much specialized equipment for this amazing Caramel Apple Crisp.

• Four 6-oz ramekins or a 8×8 inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Vegetable peeler
• Apple corer (optional, a knife works too)
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Oven

Instructions

Creating this delightful Caramel Apple Crisp is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfectly baked dessert.

1. Prepare Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking from the start.
2. Combine Dry Topping: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, packed brown sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon. This creates the flavor base for your crisp topping.
3. Cut in Butter: Add the cold unsalted butter cubes to the dry ingredients. Use your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for a crumbly, not soggy, topping.
4. Add Oats & Chill: Stir in the old fashioned rolled oats until well combined. Place the bowl with the topping mixture into the freezer or refrigerator while you prepare the apples. Chilling helps the butter stay firm, resulting in a crispier texture.
5. Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and chop the Granny Smith apples into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick so they cook evenly.
6. Mix Apple Filling: In another large bowl, toss the chopped apples with the caramel sauce and salt until all the apple pieces are thoroughly coated. This ensures every bite has that rich caramel flavor.
7. Assemble Crisps: Divide the caramel apple mixture evenly among four 6-oz ramekins, or spread it into an 8×8 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the chilled oat topping all over the apple layer. Don’t press it down too much; keep it loose.
8. Bake: Place the ramekins or baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges and the crisp topping is beautifully golden brown.
9. Serve: Let the Caramel Apple Crisp cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up a bit and prevents burns. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce for an irresistible treat.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Choosing Apples: For the best texture and flavor in your Caramel Apple Crisp, opt for firm, crisp apples that hold their shape. Granny Smith provides a lovely tartness, while Honeycrisp or Braeburn offer a balance of sweet and tangy.
When choosing apples for baking, varieties like Granny Smith are often recommended for their tartness and ability to hold their shape, as highlighted by Southern Living. Discover more about the best apples for baking a perfect crisp.
Homemade Caramel: While store-bought caramel works, homemade caramel sauce offers a depth of flavor that truly elevates this dessert. It’s worth the extra effort if you have time.
Preventing Soggy Topping: Ensure your butter is very cold when cutting it into the flour. Chilling the topping mixture also helps maintain crispness by preventing the butter from melting too quickly.
Perfectly Cooked Apples: Chop your apples into uniform pieces. This ensures they cook evenly, becoming tender but not mushy. Larger pieces will take longer to soften.
Don’t Overfill: Avoid overfilling your ramekins or baking dish. Leave some space at the top to prevent the filling from bubbling over and making a mess in your oven.
Adjusting Sweetness: If your apples are very sweet, you can slightly reduce the amount of caramel sauce or add an extra pinch of salt to balance the flavors.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

Serving Suggestions

Serve your warm Caramel Apple Crisp fresh from the oven. It’s delightful on its own, but truly shines when paired with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A final drizzle of extra caramel sauce or a sprinkle of sea salt and cinnamon adds the perfect finishing touch.

Storage

Once cooled completely, cover your Caramel Apple Crisp tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze baked or unbaked crisp in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat leftover crisp in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping is crisp again. Avoid using the microwave for reheating, as it can make the topping soggy.

Make Ahead

You can assemble the Caramel Apple Crisp entirely ahead of time. Prepare the apple filling and topping, then assemble it in the ramekins or baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before baking. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the fridge.

Variations

Fruit Swaps: Get creative by swapping out some or all of the apples. Pears, peaches, berries, or a mix of fruits make excellent crisp fillings.
Spices: Enhance the flavor profile with additional warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, or a touch of cardamom in the apple filling or crisp topping.
Nutty Topping: For extra crunch and flavor, add 1/4 cup of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to your crisp topping mixture.
Larger Batch: Easily scale this recipe up for a larger gathering. Simply double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Adjust baking time as needed.

Nutrition Information

This Caramel Apple Crisp offers a delightful treat. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, based on 4 servings.

Please note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

This Caramel Apple Crisp is truly the ultimate fall dessert, bringing together the comforting flavors of spiced apples and rich caramel under a perfectly crisp topping. It’s a remarkably easy recipe, making it ideal for anyone, from beginner bakers to busy parents. The combination of warm, tender fruit and crunchy oats makes every bite an absolute delight.

We encourage you to try this simple yet satisfying treat today! Let us know in the comments how your delicious Caramel Apple Crisp turns out.

The Best Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe

This irresistible caramel apple crisp features tender Granny Smith apples tossed in a sweet caramel sauce, topped with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced oat crisp. Baked until golden and bubbly, it’s perfect served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• oven
• mixing bowls
• ramekins
• Knife and Cutting Board
• measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

Topping

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter cubed
• 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

Filling

• 2 lbs Granny Smith Apples
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt

For Serving

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Extra caramel sauce for drizzling

Instructions

 

Topping Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
• In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
• Add the cubed cold butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until crumbly.
• Stir in the old fashioned rolled oats, then place the topping mixture into the freezer or refrigerator to chill.

Filling and Assembly

• Peel, core, and cut the Granny Smith apples into small chunks.
• Toss the apple chunks well with the caramel sauce and salt.
• Divide the apple mixture evenly among four 6-oz ramekins, then sprinkle the chilled oat topping over each.

Baking

• Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit filling is bubbling and the crisp topping is golden brown.

Serving

• Serve the warm caramel apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.

Notes

For an extra touch, you can toast the oats lightly before adding them to the topping mixture for a nuttier flavor. Ensure your butter is very cold for the best crumbly topping texture.