Description

This Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp is a comforting and delicious dessert perfect for enjoying year-round. Made with tart apples and a buttery, oat-packed crumble topping, this recipe freezes beautifully, allowing you to prepare it in advance and bake whenever you want a warm, cozy treat. The crisp is sweetened naturally with brown sugar and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Apple Filling

6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced tart apples (such as Granny Smith)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Crisp Topping

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

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Instructions

Prepare the Apples: In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour. Mix well to ensure the apple slices are evenly coated, which helps thicken the filling as it bakes.
Make the Topping: In another bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces for texture.
Assemble the Crisp: Transfer the apple mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
Freeze for Later: To freeze, cover the unbaked crisp tightly with plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Label with date and freeze for up to 3 months.
Bake the Crisp: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If frozen, remove the outer foil and plastic wrap, and bake the crisp covered with foil for 40 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbly. If baking fresh, bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Allow the apple crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This helps the filling set. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this recipe gluten-free.
The topping can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before assembling.
Ensure the butter is cold before mixing into the topping to achieve a crumbly texture.
For added flavor, consider sprinkling chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans over the topping before baking.