Cozy Brown Butter Apple Crisp Recipe with Easy Oat Topping
A warm and comforting apple crisp featuring a rich brown butter oat topping that balances crispy crunch with melty, gooey filling. Perfect for cozy gatherings and quick dessert cravings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled (optional), cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
- 1 cup (90 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Peel (optional), core, and slice about 6 medium apples into roughly 1/4-inch slices. Toss them in a bowl with 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Add 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (if using), and a pinch of salt to the apples. Mix well to coat evenly.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter. Stir frequently as it melts and foams. Remove from heat once it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 4-5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup (90 g) rolled oats, 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, 1/3 cup (40 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Pour the browned butter over the dry ingredients and stir until crumbly and evenly moistened.
- Spread the seasoned apples evenly in the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the apples are bubbling and tender. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
- Let the apple crisp rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Watch the butter carefully while browning to avoid burning. Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor and texture. Let the crisp rest before serving to thicken juices. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour and use certified gluten-free oats. For vegan, use a plant-based butter alternative that browns well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the apple cri
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 2530
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 45
- Protein: 23
Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, oat topping, easy dessert, cozy dessert, fall dessert, apple dessert, quick apple crisp