• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
101 Cooking For Two
  • RECIPES
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • Chicken Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • Chicken Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • About
    • FAQs/Help
    • Shop
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    🏠Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Small Apple Crisp—Quick & Easy

    Sep 11, 2022 · Modified: Oct 26, 2022 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 26 Comments

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.47 from 150 votes

    Great old-fashioned apple crisp is quick and easy with this classic recipe. A smaller recipe, but it is easily doubled for larger households.

    close up of a spice of apple crisp on a white plate

    Jump To:
    • ♨️How to make this recipe
    • 🍎What Apples to Use?
    • 👨‍🍳Adjusting the Size
    • ♨️What are Cobblers, Crumbles, and Crisps?
    • ❓FAQs
    • 📖Crisp/Crumble Recipes
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • Recipe

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Introduction

    It was apple season here in Michigan, and we all need easy apple recipes. This classic apple crisp is an old-fashioned favorite. I think of it as almost apple pie, but easier.

    A couple of apples, five common pantry ingredients, and less than one hour will get you an old-fashioned apple crisp that would make grandma proud. Use it as your everyday "pass a dish recipe," take it to friends, or make the family smile.

    This smaller recipe is based on Allrecipes.com Apple Crisp - Perfect and Easy with a few changes.

    ♨️How to make this recipe

    1. Prepare apples by cutting into cubes or slices and peeling them if you want.
    2. Prepare the topping with flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
    3. Pour apples into a prepared baking pan and top with all the topping.
    4. Bake at 375°until golden brown—about 40 minutes.

    🍎What Apples to Use?

    Use the apples you have and love. Apples that are firmer and tarter are the best choice here. If you are buying apples just for this recipe, green Granny Smith apples are suggested, but some other good options are Honeycrisp and Ida Red.

    I generally have other apples around and use them. The apples I would typically not use would be Red Delicious or Macintosh.

    You may want to adjust the sugar for the sweetness of the apples, especially if using tart or very sweet apples.

    This recipe will use about 3 cups of sliced apples. It can be a bit more or less. That will be about two large or three medium apples. They can be peeled or not.

    If the apples are set after preparation, they can turn brown with oxygenation. Coat with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice will help prevent this.

    👨‍🍳Adjusting the Size

    This small recipe fits nicely in an 8 by 8 inches baking pan. You can also use a 6 by 9 oblong baking dish or 9 inches round.

    This recipe doubles easily and fits nicely in a 9 by 13 standard cake or casserole pan. You can even make it smaller if you have the correct pan.

    The nine servings I state for this recipe are a bit arbitrary, so that is a soft number depending on how you want to use this.

    ♨️What are Cobblers, Crumbles, and Crisps?

    Cobblers are easy; they have a biscuit or cake-like topping.

    Crumbles and crisps are frequently used interchangeably. But some feel that the differentiating factor is crumbles have oats in the topping, and crisps do not. This seems to be not widely accepted; almost nobody follows that differentiation.

    So, in my world, this is a crisp. But call it a crumble if you want.

    ❓FAQs

    Do the apples need to be peeled for apple crisp?

    No, it is more of a matter of personal taste. I have always had peeled apples, so you will see that in the images but entirely your option.

    How to serve apple crisp.

    Like apple pie, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is the traditional topping. But a drizzle of caramel sauce is a good addition.

    How to store leftover apple crisp.

    After cooking, refrigerate for 3-4 days, covered tightly. Reheat briefly in a microwave.

    Apple crisp can freeze for about three months when sealed tightly—I suggest plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. If you freeze it, thaw it before reheating.

    Can apple crisp be made gluten-free?

    Yes, use gluten-free flour.

    📖Crisp/Crumble Recipes

    Simple Crock Pot Apple Crisp

    Easy Berry Crumble

    Berry Crisp for Two

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    101's Best Recipes, Dessert Recipes
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    fresh apples with flour and sugar

    Preheat the oven to 375°.

    prepared apples in a measuring cup

    Peel(optional) and cube or slice 2 ½ to 3 cups of apples. That will be two larger apples or three smaller ones. Avoid Red Delicious and Macintosh apples. Granny Smith apples are commonly recommended.

    baking dish coated with butter

    Prep an 8-inch square baking dish with a butter coat.

    Mixing topping in a large bowl

    In a medium bowl, combine one cup flour with 1 cup sugar but adjust the sugar down to ¾ cup if your apples are very sweet. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix well.  Cut 8 tablespoons of cold butter into dry ingredients with a fork or pie crust cutter.

    pouring topping onto apples in baking dish

    Spread the prepared apples in the dish. Spread topping mixtcre over apples.

    goldern brown apple crisp out of the oven

    Bake for about 40 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool some before serving.

    graphic Subscribe to 101 Cooking for Two

    Recipe

    Small Apple Crisp—Quick & Easy

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Great old-fashioned apple crisp is quick and easy with this classic recipe. A smaller recipe, but it is easily doubled for larger households.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.47 from 150 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 9

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 2½ to 3 cups apples - sliced about 2 large or 3 medium
    • 1 cup flour
    • ¾ cup sugar - up to 1 cup depending on sweetness of apples
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 stick butter - ½ cup
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 375°.
      fresh apples with flour and sugar
    • Peel(optional) and cube or slice 2 ½ to 3 cups of apples. That will be two larger apples or three smaller ones. Avoid Red Delicious and Macintosh apples. Granny Smith apples are commonly recommended.
      prepared apples in a measuring cup
    • Prep an 8-inch square baking dish with a butter coat.
      baking dish coated with butter
    • In a medium bowl, combine one cup flour with 1 cup sugar but adjust the sugar down to ¾ cup if your apples are very sweet. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix well. Cut 8 tablespoons of cold butter into dry ingredients with a fork or pie crust cutter.
      Mixing topping in a large bowl
    • Spread the prepared apples in the dish. Spread topping mixtcre over apples.
      pouring topping onto apples in baking dish
    • Bake for about 40 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool some before serving.
      goldern brown apple crisp out of the oven
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

    Your Own Private Notes

    Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Recipe Notes

    Pro Tips

    1. This fits nicely in an 8x8 pan but 9X6 or 9 inch round will work. A 9x9 will be thinner and not suggested.
    2. This is an easy recipe to adjust up or down. A double recipe fits nicely in a standard 9 by 13 cake or casserole pan.
    3. Use the apples you love, but I suggest not to use Red Delicious or Macintosh. Granny Smith is suggested.
    4. Cut the sugar down to ¾ cup if the apples are very sweet. Brown sugar may be used for a slightly different flavor.
    5. The amount of apple slices can vary up or down some.
    6. A bit of cooling before serving helps it hold together.
    7. Store refrigerated airtight for 3-4 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
    8. Reheats nicely in the microwave.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Nutrition Facts
    Small Apple Crisp—Quick & Easy
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 223 Calories from Fat 90
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 10g15%
    Saturated Fat 6g30%
    Cholesterol 27mg9%
    Sodium 155mg6%
    Potassium 52mg1%
    Carbohydrates 32g11%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 20g22%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 333IU7%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 7mg1%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Dessert
    Cuisine : American

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Publisher Note: Originally Published October 25, 2014, It is a great simple recipe. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

    Lilly and Molly dogs at 10 months old playing on a chair with a toy
    Lilly and Molly are 10 months old

    More Dessert Recipes

    • banana nut mufffin on rack
      Banana Nut Muffins
    • cinnamon roll muffin in white plate
      Cinnamon Roll Muffins
    • Cheesecake bars on a blue plate
      Easy Cheesecake Bars
    • apple and cinnamon muffins on cooling rack B
      Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment (Policy Link in Footer) Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Karen

      February 04, 2023 at 7:15 am

      1 star
      Way too sweet! Only used 3/4 c sugar. Stitch sweet.

      Reply
    2. Brenda M.

      December 29, 2022 at 5:25 pm

      5 stars
      I made this Apple Crisp today! Followed the recipe except used half brown sugar. It was so easy and turned out perfect! So yummy!

      Reply
    3. LIZ GAUNTLEY

      January 16, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      This is the nearest crumble - I'm English - Ive managed to make after a lifetime of trying to make it like my mum's. I think it's the high sugar content, as well as oven temp and cooking time, that makes it crispy rather than the dry, floury results Ive had all these years. It is simple and delicious and good not to have oats. Thanks so much for this recipe. Highly recommended .

      Reply
    4. Joy Ragnow-Guzy

      December 19, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      I’m going to try this but leave the peels on. Can’t wait to taste it.

      Reply
    5. Brittanei Neubert

      September 23, 2019 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect desert for the first day of fall!!
      Quick to make and very tasty !

      Reply
    6. Patricia S

      June 22, 2019 at 10:23 pm

      5 stars
      Made with 1/2 cup brown sugar and used 2 apples and 1 pear, so as not to have them spoil. Otherwise,followed the recipe. My grandson, daughter and I all enjoyed it very much, warm from the oven and topped with Bryer's vanilla ice cream! Despite my reduction in sugar, I found it to be quite sweet. Very easy, quick and delicious dessert. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    7. Mackenzie

      October 31, 2018 at 2:06 pm

      This is the best apple crisp I have ever had, and it is so easy to make!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 02, 2018 at 8:38 pm

        Hi Mackenzie,

        Welcome to the blog.

        It is a great fall treat.

        Thanks for the note.

        Dan

    8. Joslyn

      October 28, 2018 at 5:10 pm

      I used three large ambrosia apples that were so crisp and tart I almost wanted to eat them plain. I gave them a squeeze of lemon in the pan. I used brown sugar and added nutmeg and a packet of quakers instant apples and cinnamon oats. I have about 8 mins left and I think I may pull it out a wee bit early for the sake of the apples remaining crisp to my liking. My house smells like fall and I can’t wait to serve this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Thank you for a sweet baking afternoon!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 29, 2018 at 12:31 pm

        Hi Joslyn,
        Welcome to the blog.
        I was doing an apple recipe yesterday and ate one of the apples but it was the extra backup one.
        Hope it turned out well.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    9. Peggy Yang

      October 08, 2018 at 1:24 am

      Thanks for the recipe. This turns out almost perfect! (I cut it down to a smaller dish and by the time the crumble was browned the apples got a little too soft. I’ll definitely shorten the baking time next round, but otherwise this is perfect!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 10, 2018 at 10:43 pm

        Hi Peggy,
        Welcome to the blog.
        Hopefully it works better for you next time.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    10. Leona Dixon

      July 18, 2018 at 3:42 am

      Just made this using Organic Coconut Flour. I also use Coconut Oil to spread over the dish instead of Butter. Tastes so delicious! I'll be making this again with a few adjustment on Soft Brown Sugar, using only 1/2 cup instead of 1 Cup.

      Thanks for sharing this recipe, I used Red Gala Apples, they came out great!!!

      Reply
    11. Sandra

      December 20, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      This is how we always make Apple Crumble, UK method, Crumble has no oats, crisp does, never had that til I moved to Canada. Best apples in Canada are honey crisp (pricey), grannies, and Braeburn. I'm going to make your green bean casserole for a potluck tomorrow.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        December 24, 2017 at 7:48 pm

        Hi Sandra,
        The difference between a crumble and crisp seems to vary a lot by geography. In Iowa, all of it was a crisp if I remember correctly.
        You will love the green bean casserole.
        Thanks for the note and happy holidays.
        Dan

    12. Debasis

      November 09, 2017 at 5:34 am

      Hello DrDan..! am also reads your posts but this is one of my favorite recipe. and your apple crisp looks so yummy and delicious, i can't wait make this recipe. Thanks for sharing....!

      Reply
    13. Rogerio Roger

      October 30, 2016 at 3:28 pm

      Love the simplisity of that recipe ! I used oat flour and plain flour ! It was perfect ! I had a lot of apple and my recipe ti was for 4 no two lol I had to use a lot of more flour once I realised my crumble was to wet, so I grabed my hand mixer and finished adding the flours until the consistence that I wanted !! It was fun in the kitchen Thanks

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 31, 2016 at 11:09 pm

        I like simple food the best. It is fun to play in the kitchen. I call it organic chemistry lab without the explosions.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    14. Basheerah

      August 12, 2016 at 6:24 am

      Hi there, I love apple crumble, its one of my old favourites, so I was excited to try this quick n easy recipe for a family lunch. I doubled the recipe and it was just lovely. I served it with whipped fresh cream.

      Reply
    15. Patricia

      November 20, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      4 stars
      This is close to the recipe I got from my mom years ago except I think it uses part white sugar, part brown. Its so good. To make it even better, I would suggest skipping the ice cream and making a basic vanilla sauce to go over the top. Sooo good.

      Reply
    16. Pat

      October 27, 2014 at 2:49 am

      I am laughing to myself here. I made apple crisp tonight and dh brought me in a dish as I was on the puter. I made it like you did except I used 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup of oatmeal. It is really good also.

      Reply
    17. Kate/Massachusetts

      October 26, 2014 at 6:39 pm

      5 stars
      This looks delicious! I will be making it this week now that Honeycrisp apples have shown up in my local supermarket. They really are a great tasting apple for pies and crisps like your recipe. Their flavor is my favorite. I had a cooking teacher once tell us that the Honeycrisp was the favorite of pastry/pie chefs because it was the perfect balance of sweet/tart/wine flavor. I think she was right although I do use them for applesauce, too!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 26, 2014 at 7:11 pm

        I did use honey crisp. I got them at the farmers market last week (really fresh in Michigan) and had a full basket. I needed something to do with the apples without going shopping again.

        Thanks for the note and rating.
        DrDan

      • Kate/Massachusetts

        October 29, 2014 at 10:19 am

        For something else to do with the apples, have you ever tried making an applesauce that combines both apples and ripe pears? Its really good and freezes well. Also, if you have a large selection of Spanish foods at your grocery, there is a product called raw sugar cane (Goya Panela brown sugar cane Piloncillo) that is awesome to use with cooked fruits. It is a solid block that has to be chopped or grated and the flavor is a strong brown sugar taste. Amazon has it but they charge a fortune for shipping. Good luck!

    18. Joan Garneau

      October 26, 2014 at 7:26 am

      This looks delicious delicious and I think I'll make it tonight.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 26, 2014 at 7:13 pm

        Thanks for the note. I'm sure you will love it.
        DrDan

    Primary Sidebar

    DrDan image Hi, I’m DrDan, and welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy-to-follow step-by-step photo instructions. About DrDan

    Join the club
    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Steak, Steak, and More Steak

    • cut ribeye steak on a gray plate
      How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on the Grill
    • filtet mignon with potatoes on a white plate
      Pan Seared Oven Roasted Filet Mignon
    • Grilled filet mignon on a white plate
      How to Grill Filet Mignon
    • NY strip steak cut on an orange plate
      Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
    • a strip steak with grill marks on a gray plate
      How to Grill Strip Steak on a Gas Grill
    • porterhouse steak with fries on blue plate
      Grilled T-bone Steak and Porterhouse Steak

    Chicken, Chicken, and More Chicken

    • pile of chicken legs on a white plate
      Baked Chicken Legs - Quick and Easy
    • Large plage of chicken thighs
      Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
    • cut baked chicken on white plate
      How to Bake Chicken Breasts in a Convection Oven
    • Grilled Chicken Breasts on a blue plate
      How to Grill Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill
    • grilled chicken drumsticks on a grill
      Grilled Chicken Drumsticks - Quick and Easy
    • grilled chicken thigh with some char
      Grilled Chicken Thighs on a Grill
    graphic of sites that I work with or have had recipes featured or referenced.
    SITES THAT I WORK WITH OR HAVE HAD RECIPES FEATURED OR REFERENCED.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top ↑

    About

    • About DrDan and the Blog
    • Business Questions
    • Comment Policy

    Content

    • Food FAQ
    • Kitchen Reference Sheets
    • Recipes Featured in the Videos
    • Guide To Cooking for Two
    • Saved Recipes Collections

    dogs by the pond

    Privacy Policy | Terms | Contact

    COPYRIGHT © 2010-2023 101 COOKING FOR TWO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | BASED ON FOODIE PRO THEME