Name: Skillet Apple Crisp
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: PT-484957H50M9S
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Crumble Topping: 1 cup (84 g) old-fashioned rolled oats; 1/2 cup (70 g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup (100 g) dark brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (112 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed; For the Apple Filling: 2/3 cup (133 g) granulated sugar; 3 tablespoons (24 g) arrowroot starch or cornstarch; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 7 cups (840 g) peeled and diced apples; 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

A cozy and delicious apple crisp baked in a cast-iron skillet with a tender apple filling and a buttery oatmeal brown sugar crumble topping. This rustic dessert embodies the comfort of home baking, bringing together the warmth of cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy oat topping in every spoonful.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This skillet apple crisp delivers the perfect balance of textures and flavors in one convenient dish. The cast iron skillet creates beautiful caramelization around the edges while keeping the apple filling tender and juicy. It’s simpler than apple pie but just as satisfying, with no fussy crust to prepare. The crisp topping provides a delightful contrast to the soft apples beneath, and the entire dessert comes together with minimal effort. It’s the ideal dessert for cool autumn evenings, casual gatherings, or simply treating yourself to a comforting homemade sweet.

Skillet Apple Crisp

Ingredients

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

Old-fashioned rolled oats create the signature crunchy texture that makes a crisp truly special. They hold their shape during baking and provide a hearty, rustic quality that pairs perfectly with tender apples.

All-purpose flour helps bind the crumble topping together and provides structure. It creates that perfect crisp texture when combined with the other topping ingredients.

Dark brown sugar adds rich molasses notes to the topping that perfectly complement the apples. Its moisture content also helps create those desirable clumps in the crumble.

Cinnamon brings warm, aromatic spice that’s essential to a great apple dessert. It enhances both the topping and the filling with its distinctive flavor that pairs naturally with apples.

Unsalted butter is the key to a rich, flavorful crumble topping. Using cold butter and cutting it into the dry ingredients creates those perfect pockets of buttery goodness that melt during baking.

Granulated sugar balances the tartness of the apples in the filling without overwhelming their natural flavor.

Arrowroot starch or cornstarch thickens the apple juices as they cook, creating that perfect saucy consistency that coats the apple pieces rather than pooling at the bottom of the skillet.

Apples are the star of this dessert. Choose varieties that hold their shape when cooked like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagold for best results.

Almond extract adds a subtle depth of flavor that enhances the apple filling. It’s a small amount but makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.

Salt is crucial in both components of this dessert, enhancing all the flavors and creating balance between the sweet and tart elements.

Directions

Preheat and Prepare:
Place a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil in the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Make the Crumble Topping:
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender until the mixture forms large crumbs. Chill the topping in the freezer until ready to use.
Prepare the Apple Filling:
In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, arrowroot starch, cinnamon, and salt. Add the diced apples and almond extract. Toss gently to coat.
Assemble:
Spoon the apple filling evenly into the prepared skillet. Sprinkle the chilled crumble topping evenly over the apples.
Bake:
Place the skillet on the preheated baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
Cool and Serve:
Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 hour) before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, or butterscotch drizzle.

Servings and Timing

This skillet apple crisp serves 8 people generously. It requires about 25 minutes of preparation time and 55-60 minutes of baking time, for a total of approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes from start to finish. Each serving contains approximately 320 calories, making it a reasonable dessert option that delivers big on flavor without being overly indulgent.

Variations

Berry Apple Crisp: Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries) to the apple filling for a colorful twist.

Nutty Crumble: Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the crumble topping for extra crunch and flavor.

Maple Apple Crisp: Replace half the granulated sugar with pure maple syrup for a distinct autumn flavor.

Spiced Apple Crisp: Add 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger to the apple filling for a more complex spice profile.

Caramel Apple Crisp: Drizzle 1/4 cup of caramel sauce over the apples before adding the crumble topping.

Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.

Vegan Option: Replace the butter with solid coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftover apple crisp tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cast iron skillet can be covered with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer leftovers to an airtight container.

Freezing: This apple crisp freezes well for up to 3 months. Cool completely, then cover tightly with aluminum foil or transfer to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating in Oven: The best way to reheat apple crisp is in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Cover with foil if the top starts to brown too much.

Microwave Reheating: For individual portions, microwave on medium power for 45-60 seconds. The topping won’t be as crisp as when using the oven, but it’s quick and convenient.

Room Temperature: Apple crisp can also be enjoyed at room temperature, though the filling will be thicker than when warm.

FAQs

What are the best apple varieties for apple crisp?

Firm, tart-sweet apples work best for baking. Granny Smith provides tartness and holds its shape well. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, and Jonagold offer a good balance of sweetness and structure. For the best flavor, consider using a mix of 2-3 varieties.

Can I make this recipe without a cast iron skillet?

Yes, you can use any oven-safe baking dish with similar dimensions. A 9×9-inch square baking dish or a 9-inch deep pie plate works well. The cooking time may vary slightly, so watch for a golden-brown topping and bubbling filling as indicators of doneness.

How do I know when my apple crisp is done baking?

Your apple crisp is done when the topping is golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbling around the edges. If you insert a knife into the apples, they should feel tender but not mushy.

Can I prepare apple crisp ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire crisp up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate it unbaked. Allow the skillet to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. Alternatively, prepare the topping and filling separately and store refrigerated, then assemble right before baking.

Why is my apple crisp watery?

Excess liquid can result from using very juicy apples or not using enough thickener. Make sure to use the full amount of arrowroot or cornstarch, and consider adding an extra tablespoon if your apples are particularly juicy. Also, allow the crisp to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the filling set up.

Can I double this recipe?

This recipe works best as written for a 10-inch skillet. For larger gatherings, prepare two separate skillets rather than attempting to crowd everything into one larger container, which may affect baking times and textures.

What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

The main difference is in the topping. A crisp traditionally contains oats, which create a crispy, crunchy topping when baked. A crumble topping typically doesn’t include oats, resulting in a more streusel-like, sandier texture.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar in both the filling and topping by up to one-third without significantly affecting the texture. If using tart apples, you might want to maintain the sugar in the filling but reduce it in the topping.

How do I prevent the topping from getting soggy when stored?

When storing leftovers, the crisp topping will naturally absorb some moisture from the filling. For the best texture when enjoying leftovers, reheat uncovered in the oven rather than the microwave, which will help re-crisp the topping.

Is it necessary to peel the apples?

Peeling is recommended for the best texture, as apple skins can become tough and chewy when baked. However, if you prefer the rustic texture and added nutrition of the peels, you can leave them on—just make sure to wash the apples thoroughly.

Conclusion

This Skillet Apple Crisp embodies comfort food at its finest—simple ingredients transformed into a dessert that feels like a warm hug on a cool day. The magic happens when the butter in the crumble topping melts and mingles with the oats and brown sugar, while beneath, the apples soften and release their juices to create a naturally sweet sauce infused with cinnamon.

What makes this recipe special is its versatility and forgiving nature. It welcomes customization based on the apples you have on hand or the spices you prefer. The cast iron skillet not only makes for a beautiful presentation but also enhances the cooking process, creating those desirable caramelized edges.

Whether served as the grand finale to a family dinner, brought to a potluck, or enjoyed quietly with a cup of coffee on a weekend morning (we won’t tell), this apple crisp delivers the essence of homemade goodness. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create the perfect hot-and-cold contrast that makes this classic dessert absolutely irresistible.