This Almond Apple Crisp combines sweet apples with crunchy almond topping for a warm and comforting dessert. It’s baked until golden and bubbly—perfect for cozy nights in!
I love pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a delightful mix of warm and cold, and let’s be real, who can resist that crispy topping? Yum! 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: I recommend using crisp varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for their balance of sweetness and tartness. If you can’t find these, feel free to mix different kinds of apples for added flavor!
Lemon juice: This is crucial for preventing the apples from browning. If you’re out of lemon juice, try using a splash of vinegar or a bit of orange juice for a twist in flavor.
Sugars: I like using a mix of granulated and brown sugar for depth of flavor. If you’re cutting back on sugar, use less or substitute with maple syrup or honey, just adjust other liquids accordingly.
Almonds: Sliced almonds give a great crunch. If you want to switch it up, you could use chopped walnuts or pecans instead for a different nutty flavor.
Butter: I prefer unsalted butter as it allows you to control the salt in your dish. If you’re dairy-free, coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative can work too.
How Can I Make the Crisp Topping Extra Crunchy?
The almond crisp topping is what makes this Apple Crisp shine! To achieve that ideal crunchy texture, follow these steps:
- Make sure to use cold butter. This helps the topping stay crumbly instead of melting into a paste.
- Mix the topping until it resembles coarse crumbs but don’t overdo it! Some pea-sized pieces will give you that crunch.
- For even more texture, try adding a little pinch of oats or chopped nuts to the topping mixture.
Bake until the topping is golden brown. If it browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil to prevent burning. Enjoy your perfectly crispy topping!
Delicious Almond Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Apple Filling:
- 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (about 5-6 medium apples; use crisp varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken apple filling)
For The Almond Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Optional Garnish and Serving:
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
How Much Time Will You Need?
This Almond Apple Crisp takes about 15-20 minutes of prep time and 40-45 minutes to bake. In total, you’re looking at around an hour for this delicious dessert to be ready to serve!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grease a 9-inch pie dish or a similar baking dish with a bit of butter or cooking spray so the crisp doesn’t stick.
2. Prepare the Apples:
In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to help keep them fresh and prevent browning. Then, sprinkle in the granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and flour. Mix everything well until the apples are evenly coated. Set this mixture aside.
3. Make the Almond Crisp Topping:
In another bowl, combine the rolled oats, sliced almonds, 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir it up until well mixed. Next, add the cold butter pieces. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, mix everything until the texture looks like coarse crumbs, with a few larger pieces for nice crunch!
4. Assemble the Crisp:
Now it’s time to bring it all together! Pour the apple mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Then, sprinkle the almond crisp topping on top of the apples, making sure it covers every inch!
5. Bake the Crisp:
Put it in your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You want the topping to be golden brown and for the apple filling to be bubbling up around the edges. You can check it at the 30-minute mark to see how it’s doing!
6. Cool and Serve:
When it’s done, take the crisp out and let it cool for just a few minutes. Then, serve it warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you like!
Enjoy the wonderful combination of crispy almonds with sweet and tender apples for a delicious dessert that will warm your heart! 🍏😊
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While I recommend crisp varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for a nice sweet-tart balance, feel free to mix different kinds of apples for an interesting flavor profile. Just make sure they are firm apples that hold up well during baking!
Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?
Yes! You can easily make this Almond Apple Crisp vegan by substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative, such as coconut oil or vegan butter. Make sure the ice cream you use to serve is also dairy-free if you want to keep it vegan!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or microwave it for a quick warm-up. Enjoy it again warm!
Can I Prepare This Crisp in Advance?
Yes! You can prepare the apple filling and the almond topping separately a day ahead of time. Just store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, assemble the crisp and follow the baking instructions. It’s a great way to save time for special occasions!
