Deep Dish Apple Crisp Recipe

Cozy Deep Dish Apple Crisp Recipe: Homemade Comfort Bliss

A deep dish apple crisp delivers pure comfort during chilly autumn evenings when warm desserts call us home.

Sweet, bubbling apples nestled beneath a crackly, golden-brown topping create an irresistible aroma that fills the kitchen with nostalgia.

crisp textures contrast magnificently with tender fruit, promising a delightful sensory experience for anyone craving something truly satisfying.

Homemade desserts possess magical qualities that reinvent simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary moments.

Seasonal fruits shine brightest when reinvented through thoughtful baking techniques that enhance natural sweetness and complexity.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of soft, caramelized fruit and crunchy, buttery streusel that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Rich, wholesome flavors celebrate classic baking traditions while offering a contemporary twist on a beloved classic.

Deep Dish Apple Crisp with Big Fall Flavor

  • Savor Homemade Comfort: This deep dish apple crisp delivers classic homestyle warmth with layers of sweet, spiced apples and a crunchy oat topping that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
  • Master Simple Baking Techniques: The recipe uses straightforward steps perfect for beginners, allowing home cooks to create a professional-looking dessert without requiring advanced culinary skills or complicated equipment.
  • Customize Your Dessert Adventure: Easily swap apple varieties, adjust spice levels, or experiment with additional mix-ins like chopped nuts or dried cranberries to make this recipe uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core.
  • Quick Weekend Dessert Magic: With minimal prep time and basic ingredients, this apple crisp transforms simple pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing dessert that's ready in under an hour, making it ideal for spontaneous weekend baking or last-minute gatherings.

Apple Crisp Ingredients for That Deep-Dish Goodness

Pie Crust Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the tender, flaky pie crust.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and helps control gluten development in the dough.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, flaky texture with cold, cubed butter for better incorporation.
  • Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without developing too much gluten.
Apple Filling Ingredients:
  • Granny Smith Apples, Honeycrisp Apples: Tart and sweet combination provides balanced flavor and texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a glossy filling.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides deeper, caramel-like sweetness with moisture.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the apple filling and prevents excess liquid.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement apple's natural sweetness.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.
Crisp Topping Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Rolled Oats: Creates a crunchy, textured topping with nutty undertones.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds rich sweetness and helps create a caramelized top.
  • Unsalted Butter: Binds ingredients and provides a rich, golden-brown color.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic flavor to the crisp topping.

How to Assemble and Bake Apple Crisp with Layers

Step 1: Craft the Buttery Crust

Create a flaky foundation by mixing dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt

Cut chilled butter into small pieces and work into the flour until it looks like coarse sand.

Slowly add ice-cold water, gently mixing until the dough comes together.

Wrap the dough in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Step 2: Prepare Juicy Apple Filling

Select crisp, sweet-tart apples and slice them into uniform pieces.

Combine the apple slices with:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Toss the ingredients until every apple slice is perfectly coated.

Step 3: Roll and Shape the Crust

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface.

Carefully transfer the crust to a deep pie dish, pressing it gently into the corners.

Step 4: Create Crunchy Crisp Topping

Mix together a delightful crumbly layer using:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Rolled oats
  • Brown sugar
  • Melted butter
  • Ground cinnamon

Blend ingredients until they form delicious, clumpy crumbs.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Pour the apple filling into the prepared crust.

Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples.

Slide the pie into the preheated oven.

Bake for 45-50 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and apples become tender.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow the crisp to rest for 15-20 minutes after removing from the oven.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Enjoy the perfect balance of tender apples and crunchy topping.

Tips for a Perfect Topping and Gooey Filling

  • Choose the Right Apples: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape and provide perfect texture during baking.
  • Prevent Soggy Crust: Sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs or ground nuts on the bottom crust to absorb excess apple juices and maintain crispiness.
  • Cut Apples Uniformly: Slice apples to consistent thickness, about 1/4 inch, ensuring even cooking and balanced texture throughout the crisp.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cardamom to the apple mixture for complex, warm undertones that elevate the dessert.
  • Cool Completely: Allow the deep dish apple crisp to rest for 30 minutes after baking, letting the filling set and making slicing easier without losing delicious juices.

How to Save and Reheat Apple Crisp Later

  • Refrigeration: Store your deep dish apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent other food odors from seeping in.
  • Reheating in Oven: Warm individual servings at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring the crisp topping remains crunchy and the filling gets heated through. Place a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the top to prevent excessive browning.
  • Freezing Option: Wrap the cooled apple crisp completely in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

What Goes Well with Deep Dish Apple Crisp

  • Brew the Perfect Beverage Companion: Pair this warm deep dish apple crisp with a steaming mug of spiced chai tea, matching its cinnamon notes and complementing the dessert's rich, comforting flavors.
  • Create a Creamy Contrast: Top the crisp with a generous scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, smooth texture to beautifully balance the warm, crunchy apple filling.
  • Match with Smooth Spirits: Enhance the dessert's depth by serving alongside a small glass of aged bourbon or calvados, which will amplify the apple's natural sweetness and provide a sophisticated adult twist.
  • Craft a Rustic Wine Pairing: Select a late harvest Riesling with its subtle sweetness and light acidity, creating a harmonious connection that elevates the apple crisp's complex flavor profile.

Unique Variations of Apple Crisp to Try

  • Fall Harvest Crumble: Incorporate chopped pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup into the crisp topping for a rich, autumnal flavor profile.
  • Caramel Apple Explosion: Layer salted caramel sauce between apple slices before adding the crisp topping, creating a decadent and gooey dessert experience.
  • Rustic Berry Fusion: Replace half the apples with mixed berries like raspberries and blackberries for a tangy, colorful variation that adds brightness to the classic recipe.
  • Spiced Chai Infusion: Blend ground cardamom, ginger, and cloves into the crisp topping and apple filling, transforming the dessert with warm, aromatic chai-inspired notes.
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Deep Dish Apple Crisp Recipe

Deep Dish Apple Crisp Recipe


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4.6 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Heavenly deep dish apple crisp delivers a comforting American dessert that celebrates autumn’s sweetest harvest. Warm cinnamon-spiced apples nestled beneath a buttery, crisp oat topping invite you to savor pure seasonal bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 6 large apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)

Pie Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (192 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 45 tablespoons ice water

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ¾ cup (96 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Craft a buttery, flaky pie crust by blending flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Incorporate chilled butter cubes until the texture resembles coarse sandy granules.
  2. Sprinkle ice water into the mixture, gently kneading until a cohesive dough forms. Wrap the pastry in plastic film and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 60 minutes to relax the gluten and firm up the butter.
  3. Prepare the apple filling by thinly slicing crisp, tart apples and tossing them with granulated and brown sugars, flour, aromatic cinnamon, warm nutmeg, and a delicate pinch of salt. Ensure each apple slice is thoroughly coated with the sweet, spiced mixture.
  4. Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the rustic dessert.
  5. Roll out the chilled pastry dough and carefully drape it into a deep ceramic pie dish, pressing gently to eliminate air pockets and create a smooth interior.
  6. Elegantly transfer the seasoned apple mixture into the prepared crust, distributing the fruit evenly across the pastry base.
  7. Construct the crisp topping by combining flour, hearty rolled oats, rich brown sugar, melted butter, and ground cinnamon. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly, textured coating.
  8. Generously scatter the crisp topping over the apple filling, ensuring complete coverage for a delightful crunchy layer.
  9. Slide the pie into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and bubbling fruit filling.
  10. Remove from the oven and allow the deep dish apple crisp to cool slightly, letting the flavors meld and the filling set. Serve warm with a luxurious scoop of vanilla ice cream or a soft dollop of freshly whipped cream for an irresistible dessert experience.

Notes

  • Transformative baking magic happens when classic apple pie meets rustic crisp topping in this deep-dish dessert.
  • Seasonal apples burst with warm spices, creating a comforting layer that melts beneath a crunchy, buttery oat crumble.
  • Perfectly balanced sweetness and texture make this dessert a crowd-pleasing finale to any meal, promising nostalgic moments and delightful indulgence.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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