This easy Dutch Oven Apple Crisp features tender apples mixed with warm spices, topped with a buttery oat topping. It’s baked until golden brown and bubbly. Serve it warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate fall dessert.
Apple crisp is a fantastic go-to when you want that warm, comforting apple dessert but don’t have the time or patience for a full-on apple pie, like on a camping trip. It’s also a great way to use up an abundance of apples you might have on hand, like my Apple Curd Recipe.
My Apple Bread Pudding recipe is always a hit as well for a crowd.
If you are looking for something even easier, try these Air Fryer Apples with Oats instead.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ratio of Topping to Filling: This recipe strikes the perfect balance with almost equal amounts of apple filling and crisp topping, because no one likes an apple crisp that’s skimpy on the topping—the best part!
- Tender Apples: The apples cook to a perfect softness without becoming mushy or overcooked.
- Lots of Spices: This recipe includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, adding depth and tons of flavor.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Apples: I recommend using a mix of Cosmic Crisp and Granny Smith apples (1/3 Cosmic Crisp and 2/3 Granny Smith). Granny Smith apples are essential for their tartness, but Cosmic Crisp apples can be swapped for Honeycrisp, Jazz, or Pink Lady apples. You will need 6-8 whole apples, depending on their size. Measure and weigh them after peeling and slicing.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps enhance the sweetness of the apples and balance their tartness.
- Vanilla: Adds richness to the flavor of the filling.
- Spices: These are classic apple pie spices. If you prefer not to use nutmeg, ginger, or cloves, you can substitute them with an additional 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Flour: Provides body to the topping.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the topping and adds a hint of molasses flavor.
- Salted Butter: The salt enhances all the flavors in the dish. If you don’t have salted butter, use a pinch of salt.
- Rolled Oats: Add a lovely texture, making the topping chewy and crispy. These are what make this a crisp and not an apple crumble or apple cobbler.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
What Apples Are Best for Crisp?
- Granny Smith: A classic choice for apple crisp, Granny Smith apples are tart and firm, providing a nice contrast to the sweet topping and holding up well during baking.
- Honeycrisp: Known for their sweetness and juicy texture, Honeycrisp apples add a delightful flavor and crispness to the filling. They hold their shape well, making them a popular choice.
- Pink Lady: Pink Lady apples are both sweet and tart, with a firm texture that’s perfect for baking. They add a bright, tangy flavor to the crisp.
- Golden Delicious: These apples are sweet with a mild flavor, and they maintain their shape well when baked. They pair nicely with other, more tart apples.
- Jazz: Jazz apples offer a nice balance of sweetness and tartness, along with a firm texture that works well in apple crisp.
How to Cut Apples for Crisp
- Peel the Apples: Start by peeling the apples to remove the skin, which can become tough when baked.
- Core the Apples: Hold the apple upright and slice down on each side, cutting around the core. This ensures that no seeds or core are left on the apple pieces.
- Slice Evenly: Cut the apple sections into even slices, about 1/3 – 1/2 inch thick. This thickness ensures the apples cook evenly and soften without becoming mushy.
- Halve the Slices: Cut the slices in half crosswise.
How to Make Dutch Oven Apple Crisp
Quick Overview
- Make the apple filling.
- Make the oat topping.
- Assemble.
- Bake.
Step by Step Instructions
Quick Tip From Bri
Tossing the apples thoroughly may take a couple of minutes. As you mix, the apples will start to release their juices and become syrupy.
Quick Tip From Bri
Add the oats after mixing in the butter to ensure they remain intact and don’t fall apart.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Toss well until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
Step 2: In another bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Step 3: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Stir in the rolled oats until evenly distributed.
Step 5: Grease a shallow dutch oven or a large baking dish. Pour the apple mixture into the baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the topping mixture over the apples, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the apple crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving. It can be served warm or at room temperature. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
There is only one way to serve apple crisp, in my opinion, and that is warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. However, if you’re looking for some other topping ideas, here are a few options:
- Homemade whipped cream
- Salted caramel
- Chopped and toasted pecan or walnuts
Expert Tips
- Use a Mix of Apples: Combine tart apples like Granny Smith with sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for a balanced flavor and texture.
- Peel and Slice Evenly: Peel the apples and slice them evenly to ensure they cook uniformly. Aim for slices about 1/3 – 1/2 inch thick.
- Let it Rest Before Serving: Allow the apple crisp to cool for about 10-15 minutes after baking. This lets the filling set and makes it easier to serve.
- Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: Apple crisp is best enjoyed warm, topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Additions & Variations
- Add Nuts for Extra Crunch: Mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the topping for added texture and flavor.
- Add Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice: Add 2-3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the apple mixture for an extra zing.
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Dutch Oven Apple Crisp
Equipment
Ingredients
Filling
- 8 cups peeled & sliced into 1 inch pieces 1/3 – 1/2 inch thick apples (about 8 cups sliced; 950 grams sliced; 6-8 whole apples depending on size)*
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger*
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
Topping
- 1 1/4 cup (163 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup (170 grams); 12 Tablespoons salted butter, cold & cubed
- 1 1/2 cups (128 g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Toss well until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.8 cups peeled & sliced into 1 inch pieces 1/3 – 1/2 inch thick apples (about 8 cups sliced; 950 grams sliced; 6-8 whole apples depending on size)*, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger*, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- In another bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.1 1/4 cup (163 g) all-purpose flour, 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.3/4 cup (170 grams); 12 Tablespoons salted butter, cold & cubed
- Stir in the rolled oats until evenly distributed.1 1/2 cups (128 g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- Grease a shallow dutch oven or a large baking dish. Pour the apple mixture into the baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the topping mixture over the apples, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the apple crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving. It can be served warm or at room temperature. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.vanilla ice cream, for serving
Notes
- Apples: I recommend using a mix of Cosmic Crisp and Granny Smith apples (1/3 Cosmic Crisp and 2/3 Granny Smith). Granny Smith apples are essential for their tartness, but Cosmic Crisp apples can be swapped for Honeycrisp, Jazz, or Pink Lady apples. You will need 6-8 whole apples, depending on their size. Measure and weigh them after peeling and slicing.
- Spices: These are classic apple pie spices. If you prefer not to use nutmeg, ginger, or cloves, you can substitute them with an additional 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you bake it with the lid on?
I love apple crisps and crumbles. This is one of the best recipes I have tried. Delicious!
I love this apple crisp recipe! A great way to use my Dutch oven again! Thanks!
I had so much fun creating this recipe, not only is it my favorite recipe but it also left my kitchen smelling like fall!
Love how simple this recipe was to follow and so delicious. Will be making all the time!
Perfect comforting dessert for this fall! Tried it with the Jazz Apples and you were right! Fell in love with the nice balance balance of sweetness and tartness of these apples.
This is so delicious! I love how rustic it is and that I only have to clean one pot!