Print

Cozy Brown Butter Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble

brown butter apple crisp - featured image
Print Recipe

A warm and comforting apple crisp featuring a nutty brown butter oat crumble topping, perfect for cozy autumn evenings and easy enough for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples (about 900g), peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup (90g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ⅓ cup (43g) all-purpose flour (or almond flour/gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
  • ⅓ cup (70g) packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Peel, core, and slice 6 medium apples into about ¼-inch (0.5 cm) thick slices. Toss them gently in a medium bowl with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to prevent browning.
  3. Sprinkle ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg over the apples. Toss gently to coat evenly without bruising the slices.
  4. Transfer the apple mixture to an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer without overcrowding.
  5. In a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat, melt ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter. Stir frequently as it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (about 4-6 minutes). Remove from heat immediately to avoid burning.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (90g) rolled oats, ⅓ cup (43g) all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup (70g) packed light brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt. Pour in the browned butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, then stir until evenly moistened and crumbly. Fold in ½ cup chopped nuts if using.
  7. Sprinkle the oat crumble topping evenly over the apples, leaving some apples visible.
  8. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp and the apple juices are bubbly. Tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes if topping browns too quickly.
  9. Let cool for about 15 minutes to allow juices to thicken.
  10. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

To avoid soggy crisp, sprinkle 1 teaspoon cornstarch over apples before adding topping to thicken juices. Brown butter carefully over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour and use certified gluten-free oats. For dairy-free, use coconut oil instead of butter but note flavor difference. Chill crumble topping before baking if kitchen is humid. Prep apple mixture and crumble topping in advance and refrigerate separately.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, oat crumble, autumn dessert, cozy dessert, easy apple dessert, fruit crisp, homemade apple crisp

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/cozy-brown-butter-apple-crisp-with-oat-crumble-easy-homemade-recipe/