This Brown Butter Apple Crisp is a warm and cozy dessert with juicy apples and a crunchy topping. The brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes it extra special!
Making this dish warms up your kitchen and your heart! I love serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top—because who can resist that creamy goodness? 🍏🍦
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: For the best flavor, I recommend using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. However, you can also use other varieties like Fuji or Braeburn for a sweeter taste. Just pick apples that are firm and hold their shape well while baking.
Lemon Juice: This helps to balance the sweetness of the apples. If you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice works fine, or even a splash of vinegar can do the trick!
Brown Butter: The nutty flavor of brown butter really makes this dish shine! If you’re short on time, you can use regular melted butter, but the rich taste of browned butter is worth the extra effort in my opinion.
Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats give a nice texture to the topping. If you need a gluten-free option, try certified gluten-free oats instead.
How Do You Get the Perfect Brown Butter for Your Crisp?
The process of making brown butter is simple but needs attention. It adds a delicious depth to your crisp. Here’s how to do it right:
- Start by melting your butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Watch closely, as you’ll want to swirl the pan occasionally. Cook until the butter turns a golden brown and you can smell a nutty aroma. This usually takes 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from the heat immediately to prevent burning, and let it cool slightly before adding it to your topping mixture.
This step is key to enhancing the flavor of your apple crisp, so take your time with it!
Brown Butter Apple Crisp
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Apple Filling:
- 5 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
For the Brown Butter Crisp Topping:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Brown Butter Apple Crisp will take about 15 minutes to prep, and it will need around 40-45 minutes to bake. So, in total, you’re looking at about 1 hour to make this delicious dessert. After baking, let it cool for a few minutes before you serve it warm—delicious! 🍏
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that warms up, grab a 9×9-inch or similar sized baking dish and lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling:
In a large bowl, toss your sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of flour until everything is well coated. This is what brings out the flavor in those apples, so mix it up nicely! Set aside for a moment.
3. Make the Brown Butter:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep an eye on it as you swirl the pan gently. Cook until the butter turns golden brown and releases a delicious nutty aroma—this usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let it burn, then remove it from heat.
4. Prepare the Oat Topping:
In a mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour that warm, browned butter right over the oat mixture and stir until it’s all crumbly and combined. It’s going to smell incredible!
5. Assemble the Crisp:
Now take your apple mixture and spread it evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then sprinkle that tasty brown butter oat topping evenly over the apples. It’s looking good already!
6. Bake:
Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. You want the apples to be tender and the topping to be golden and crisp.
7. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly, just for a few minutes. For an extra special treat, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Enjoy every nutty, crispy bite!
This Brown Butter Apple Crisp is sure to become a favorite in your home, comforting and delightful for any occasion!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are great choices, you can use any firm apples like Fuji, Braeburn, or even a mix for a more complex flavor. Just ensure they are good for baking!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual servings until warm.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the apple filling and topping separately and assemble just before baking. Cover and refrigerate the filling for up to 24 hours. Just add extra time to bake from cold.
Can I Substitute the Brown Butter?
If you’re short on time, you can use regular melted unsalted butter instead. However, the brown butter adds a unique, nutty flavor that’s hard to replicate, so consider trying it if you can!
