Description
This 3-Ingredient Skillet Apple Crisp is a quick, delicious dessert combining tender, caramelized apples with a buttery oatmeal topping. Using instant flavored oatmeal and simple pantry staples, it creates a comforting crisp with minimal effort and maximum flavor, perfect for an easy treat any time of the year.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Topping
- 1 1/3 cups flavored instant oatmeal (about 4 packets; Maple & Brown Sugar or Cinnamon & Spice recommended)
- 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into 1 tablespoon-sized pieces (from 1 stick)
Apple Filling
- 2 pounds apples (4 large or 5 medium), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons cold salted butter (remaining from the 1 stick), cut into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F and position a rack in the center to ensure even baking of your apple crisp.
- Make the Topping. In a medium bowl, combine the instant oatmeal with 6 tablespoons of the cold salted butter. Using your fingertips, press and squeeze the butter into the oats until you achieve moist crumbs. Place this topping mixture in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the apples.
- Sauté the Apples. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron preferred) over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and chopped apples, cooking and stirring occasionally until the apples caramelize in spots and soften slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes. If they brown too quickly, reduce the heat to medium. Remove the skillet from the heat once done.
- Add the Topping. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the sautéed apples to a 2-quart baking dish. Evenly scatter the chilled oatmeal topping over the apples; it may not completely cover the fruit.
- Bake the Crisp. Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake until the juices around the edges bubble, the apples are tender, and the topping is golden brown and crisp, approximately 18 to 24 minutes.
- Cool and Serve. Remove from the oven and let the apple crisp cool for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to thicken slightly and flavors to meld. Enjoy your easy, flavorful dessert!
Notes
- Use flavored instant oatmeal like Maple & Brown Sugar or Cinnamon & Spice for added depth and sweetness.
- Ensure the butter is cold when mixing into the oatmeal topping to create crumbly texture.
- Cast iron skillets work best for caramelizing apples and can go straight into the oven, but if unavailable, transfer apples to an oven-safe baking dish before baking.
- The topping might not fully cover the apples but will crisp beautifully during baking.
- Let the crisp cool slightly before serving to avoid burning and help set the dessert.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative, though texture may vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
