Baked Apple Crisp Granola Topping (Print version)
Tender baked apples beneath a crunchy granola topping offer a warm, comforting autumn treat.
# What you'll need:
→ Fruit Filling
01 - 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
02 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Granola Topping
06 - 1 1/2 cups granola
07 - 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
08 - 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
09 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large bowl, mix sliced apples with granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons flour until evenly coated.
03 - Transfer the apple mixture into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
04 - In another bowl, combine granola, rolled oats, brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture is crumbly and well blended.
05 - Evenly sprinkle the granola mixture over the apples.
06 - Bake for 40 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender and bubbling.
07 - Allow crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- It's ready in under an hour from start to spoon, making it perfect for unexpected guests or sudden dessert cravings.
- The contrast between soft, jammy apples and crispy granola topping is pure comfort in a dish.
- You can customize the granola and spices to match whatever you have on hand or whatever mood you're in.
02 -
- Don't skip the cooling time, or your topping will sink into the hot apples and lose that crucial crunch.
- If your apples release too much liquid, it's usually because they were cut too thick or packed too densely—slice them thin and spread them out evenly in the dish.
03 -
- Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for a nutty crunch that elevates the whole dish.
- Swap out half the apples for pears if you want a subtly different flavor profile that still feels autumnal and right.