Baked Apple Crisp Granola (Print Version)

Tender baked apples topped with a crunchy granola layer for a cozy, warm dessert experience.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit Filling

01 - 6 medium apples (such as 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 (your preferred variety)
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 Prepare:

01 - Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat.
02 - In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, lemon juice, and flour. Stir until apples are evenly coated.
03 - Transfer the apple mixture into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
04 - In a separate bowl, blend granola, rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Pour melted butter over and mix until crumbly and well incorporated.
05 - Evenly sprinkle the granola mixture over the apple layer in the baking dish.
06 - Bake for 40 minutes or until the topping turns golden brown and apples are tender and bubbling.
07 - Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of dessert that works for a casual weeknight or brings warmth to a proper dinner party.
  • The contrast between soft, spiced apples and that shatteringly crisp granola topping is honestly addictive.
  • You probably have most of these ingredients on hand already, which means dessert happens without a grocery run.
02 -
  • If your topping turns out dark brown before the apples are tender (you'll see them bubbling), cover the dish loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes—oven temperatures vary, and burnt topping tastes bitter.
  • The flour in the apple filling is non-negotiable; without it, you'll have apple soup instead of a crisp.
  • Don't skip the resting time after baking, no matter how impatient you are—those 10 minutes are when the filling actually sets.
03 -
  • Use melted butter, not cold chopped butter, in the topping—it distributes evenly and ensures everything gets crispy instead of creating dense pockets.
  • Taste your apples as you slice them; if they're especially tart, reduce the lemon juice by half a teaspoon so the filling stays balanced.

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