Baked Cinnamon Apple Crisp

This baked cinnamon apple crisp has got to be on your to-do list. The tender apple slices soak up all the spices and are topped with a buttery, crunchy mix.

One taste of this delicious dessert, and you won’t believe it is gluten-free and contains zero refined sugar. Sneaking in some fresh thyme adds a mild savory taste to balance out the otherwise sweet flavor of this classic recipe.

We love serving this recipe as an easy-eating dessert for a casual gathering with friends. It’s more served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and extra cinnamon sugar.

Why You’ll Love this Baked Cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe

As you can tell, we are really into this apple crisp. We make this recipe on repeat and for good reason(s):

• Quick to make: This dessert can be prepared in just 20 minutes and on the table in under an hour.
• Comfort food: This baked cinnamon apple crisp is like a warm hug. Fork-tender apples are combined with a crispy topping you will fall in love with (like we have).
• A crowd-pleaser for every occasion: Serve it at family dinners, holiday parties, or potlucks—watch it disappear!
• Yummy warm or cold: It is tasty straight from the oven, at room temperature, or even cold from the fridge.
• Eat the leftovers for breakfast: It makes a tasty breakfast with a dollop of Greek yogurt!
• A great make-ahead dessert: You can make it a day or two ahead and warm it up when you’re ready!

Ingredient and Substitution Notes

Round up these ingredients. You can make a couple of ingredient swaps if you need to.

For the Filling

• Apples: For this recipe, choose firm apples, such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady (pictured). These varieties will withstand the baking heat well without turning to mush. 
• Fresh lemon juice: Firstly, it prevents the apples from browning and helps balance them. Bottled lemon juice is fine, too. Lime juice is a good alternative.
• Real maple syrup: This natural sweetener has a rich, earthy flavor that is perfect with apples. You can substitute honey, agave syrup, or brown sugar.
• Apple juice: Go for sugar-free. It adds moisture and a more apple-forward flavor without adding extra sugar.
• Spices: We love using ground cinnamon and allspice. You could also use a pumpkin spice or chai spice blend.
• Fresh thyme leaves: This elevates this into a more grown-up flavor.

For the Topping

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: Avoid instant oats in this recipe. You won’t get the coveted crunch.
• Almond flour: Store-bought or homemade almond flour are both perfect. As an alternative, you can try coconut flour, but you must reduce the amount as it absorbs liquids quickly.
• Sliced almonds: These add the most incredible crunch – slivered almonds work, too.
• Honey: A little thicker than maple syrup, it helps to get the topping to stick together.
• Unsalted butter: Melted butter binds the topping and adds a rich, buttery flavor. You can also try coconut oil in this recipe.

Variations of this Cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe

Use this recipe as a base and play around with it. We love making variations depending on what’s in season.

• Extra-spicy: Mix in spices like ground ginger, cardamom, or nutmeg. A pinch of cayenne, and you’re on your way!
• Tropical flavors: Add diced pineapple, shredded coconut, and coconut milk to the filling. Swap almonds for macadamia nuts in the topping.
• Salted caramel apple crisp: Drizzle caramel sauce over the filling before adding the topping, and serve with more caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt.
• Cranberry apple crisp: Stir in fresh or dried cranberries to the filling. This is obviously perfect for the festive season.
• Chocolatey: Add mini chocolate chips or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate to the topping.

Top Tips

Honestly, this is such an easy recipe, but, there are a few things you can do to get the best results possible:

• Choose the right apples: Avoid overly soft varieties like Red Delicious, which may turn mushy.
• Slice apples evenly: Cut uniform slices to help the apples cook evenly and achieve the perfect tender texture.
• Keep the filling balanced: Adjust the sweetness based on your apple variety. Add more maple syrup or honey if your apples are too sour.
• Don’t skip the lemon juice: It prevents the apples from browning.
• Prevent a soggy topping: Add the topping just before baking to keep it from absorbing moisture from the apples.
• Bake until golden: Make sure the topping is golden and crisp before removing it from the oven. If needed, tent with foil halfway to prevent over-browning.
• Let it rest: Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly after baking. This helps the juices thicken and makes serving easier.

Storage Notes

• Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
• Refrigerate for up to 4-5 days to keep it fresh.

Freezing

• To freeze it, let it cool completely first to prevent ice crystals from forming. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly in aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thawing

• To thaw, pop the frozen apple crisp into the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight. For a quicker option, let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

Reheating

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the apple crisp in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for 15-20 minutes. For a crispier topping, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes.
• Microwave: For individual portions, reheat in the microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
• Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes for a crisp topping.

FAQ

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with baked cinnamon apple crisp:

Baked Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Mike & Nicole

Tender apples, rich spices and a buttery topping make this baked cinnamon apple crisp a winner for dessert.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

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For the Filling

• 6 large apples cored, peeled, and sliced
• 1 T. fresh lemon juice
• ⅓ c. real maple syrup
• 2 T. 100% apple juice sugar free
• 1 t. ground cinnamon
• ½ t. ground allspice
• 1½ t. fresh thyme leaves
• ¼ t. salt

For the Topping

• 1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
• ⅓ c. almond flour
• ⅓ c. almonds sliced
• ⅓ c. honey preferably local
• 3 T. unsalted butter melted

Instructions

 

• Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8” x 8” baking dish and set aside.
• Place apples in a large non-reactive bowl and toss with fresh lemon juice. Add maple syrup, apple juice, cinnamon, allspice, thyme leaves, and salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
• Combine topping ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until oats are thoroughly coated and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
• Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Spread the topping evenly across the top in a uniform layer, as well.
• Place into pre-heated oven and bake for 30 minutes. If the top layer is nicely browned, cover dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the apple crisp is nice and bubbling. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
• Serve warm with some vanilla bean iced cream or freshly whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

• Apples: Use firm varieties like Granny Smith or Pink Lady for the best texture.
• Spices: Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg to your preference for a milder or bolder flavor.
• Serving: Perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Keyword Baked Cinnamon Apple Crisp

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