Name: Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups Granny Smith Apples (peeled and sliced); 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice; 2/3 cup brown sugar; 2 Tablespoons flour; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon cardamom; 1/4 teaspoon ginger; 1 cup pecans (salted and chopped, divided); 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup old fashioned oats; 1 1/2 cups brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup butter (cold and cubed)

If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s cozy, a little crunchy, and bursting with flavor, then I know you’re going to fall head over heels for this Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day — and trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it again and again. The combination of tart apples, fragrant spices, and crunchy pecans is seriously fan-freaking-tastic, and I can’t wait to guide you through every step to make sure yours turns out just right.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort in Every Bite: The warm spices and tender apples create that classic crisp flavor you crave on cool evenings.
Perfect Crunch: Chopped pecans mixed into the topping give just the right amount of nutty crunch without overpowering the softness.
Easy to Customize: You can tweak the spices or nuts to suit your mood or pantry — it’s a super versatile dessert.
Great for Sharing: With 12 servings, this recipe is perfect for family gatherings or friendly potlucks.

The image shows a glass rectangular baking dish filled with a two-layer dessert. The bottom layer is a light golden color with a smooth soft texture, likely cooked apples. The top layer is thick and covers the whole dish, made of small and large chopped pecans with a crumbly and slightly crispy brown coating. Two scoops of creamy light yellow ice cream are placed on top center, melting slowly. A wooden spoon is scooping some dessert from the bottom right corner, revealing the soft layer beneath. The background is a white marbled surface with two green apples on the top left corner and a small piece of cinnamon stick on the right edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Pecan Crisp, apple dessert, pecan crisp, cozy fall dessert, easy apple crisp

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together so beautifully because each plays a role—the tartness of Granny Smith apples balances the sweetness of brown sugar, while warming spices and pecans add layers of texture and flavor. Just a heads-up: choosing ripe, firm apples will make all the difference!

Flat lay of peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples arranged neatly, a small white bowl of bright lemon juice, a small white bowl filled with light brown sugar, a small white bowl holding fine flour, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, another small white bowl containing ground cardamom, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl of salted chopped pecans, a separate small white bowl filled with old fashioned oats, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of fine salt, and a small white bowl holding cold, cubed butter, all placed symmetrically around each other on a simple white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Apple Pecan Crisp, apple dessert, pecan crisp, cozy fall dessert, easy apple crisp

Granny Smith Apples: Their tartness holds up well to baking and offsets the sweetness of the topping nicely; peel and slice them evenly for consistent cooking.
Lemon Juice: Brightens the apples and keeps them from browning before baking.
Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the nuts and spices.
Flour (for filling and topping): Helps thicken apple juices and bind the crisp topping perfectly.
Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, Nutmeg: These warm spices bring that cozy, aromatic punch that makes this crisp irresistible.
Pecans (salted and chopped): I love that little salty crunch they add—toast them lightly for an extra flavor boost!
Old Fashioned Oats: Give the crisp topping chewy texture and wholesome goodness.
Butter (cold and cubed): The secret to that melt-in-your-mouth, crumbly topping; make sure it’s cold for best results.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m a big fan of mixing things up based on the season, my pantry, or just what we’re craving. This Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe is super flexible, and a few swaps or additions can put a fun twist on the classic.

Nut Variations: Sometimes, I swap pecans for walnuts or even almonds, depending on what I have on hand — each gives a slightly different crunch and flavor.
Spice Tweaks: I enjoy adding a pinch of cloves or swapping cardamom for allspice for a warmer, earthier note.
Fruit Mix-Ins: Diced pears or cranberries bounce nicely off the apples and add a juicy surprise inside.
Gluten-Free Option: Try using gluten-free oats and an almond flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for the topping.

How to Make Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apples Like a Pro

Start by peeling and slicing your Granny Smith apples into even slices—about ¼-inch thick is perfect so they cook evenly without turning mushy. Toss them right away with lemon juice to keep that bright, fresh color and avoid unwanted browning. I always do this step right away to save time later and keep my apples looking gorgeous in the final crisp.

Step 2: Mix the Spiced Sugar Coating

In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, along with half of your chopped pecans. This blend coats the apples, so make sure you mix well until every apple slice is beautifully coated with those warm flavors. This step is where the magic builds aroma, so take a moment to enjoy it—it smells like fall in a bowl!

Step 3: Layer the Apples in Your Baking Dish

Transfer the coated apples evenly into your greased 9×13-inch casserole dish and spread them out so they bake uniformly. I like giving the pan a gentle shake to settle the apples without squishing them. This way, every bite has some tender apple goodness and the perfect amount of topping.

Step 4: Whip Up the Crumb Topping

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, remaining brown sugar, nutmeg, salt, and cold cubed butter. I use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—think chunky sand texture. Then, fold in the rest of the pecans. The cold butter ensures your topping stays crumbly and rich rather than greasy.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples, making sure to cover them completely. Pop the dish in your preheated oven at 350°F and bake for about 35 to 45 minutes. You’re aiming for tender apples bubbling up beneath a golden, crisp topping. I start checking around 35 minutes to avoid overbaking, but every oven is a bit different—look for deep golden color and fragrant spices filling your kitchen.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe

Choose the Right Apples: I always go for firm Granny Smiths because they hold their shape and provide a nice tart contrast to the sweet topping.
Keep Butter Cold: Using cold, cubed butter in the topping is what makes it crumbly and flaky—not greasy—so don’t skip this step!
Toast Your Pecans: Give your pecans a quick toast on the stovetop before chopping—it intensifies their flavor and crunch.
Watch Your Bake Time: Baking until golden but not burnt is key; oven temps vary, so start checking at 35 minutes and adjust as needed.

How to Serve Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe

A close-up view of a white speckled bowl filled with a warm apple crisp dessert, featuring a top layer of golden brown crumbled oats mixed with chopped nuts and small pieces of baked apple visible beneath. Two smooth, rounded scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream sit on one side, slightly melting onto the crisp. A metal spoon is scooping into the crisp, resting inside the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface next to two cinnamon sticks and a gray cloth napkin. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Pecan Crisp, apple dessert, pecan crisp, cozy fall dessert, easy apple crisp

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for a scoop of vanilla ice cream right on top—the cold creaminess paired with the warm crisp is heaven in a bowl. Sometimes, I’ll drizzle a little caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch. A sprinkle of extra chopped pecans or a dusting of cinnamon turns it into an eye-catching dessert, perfect for after-dinner enjoyment.

Side Dishes

This dessert stands well on its own, but if you’re serving it at a brunch or holiday spread, I like pairing it with a fresh green salad or roasted turkey for a nice balance between savory and sweet. It’s also fantastic alongside a hot cup of spiced tea or freshly brewed coffee to round out the cozy vibes.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, I sometimes portion the crisp into individual ramekins topped with a pecan half or a sprig of fresh mint—super cute and impressive when guests arrive. You could also serve it inside small hollowed-out apples for a rustic look that’s perfect for autumn get-togethers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I cover any leftovers with foil or plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge. The crisp stays good for about 3 to 4 days. I love reheating single servings in the microwave with a little bit of ice cream to make it feel freshly baked again.

Freezing

If you want to make it ahead, the Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe freezes beautifully—just assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual; it’s great for holidays when you need dessert ready in advance.

Reheating

To keep that crisp topping wonderfully crunchy, I prefer reheating in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes rather than microwaving. This helps revive the texture and warms the filling through without making the topping soggy.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe?

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are ideal due to their tartness and firmness, you can also use Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn apples for a sweeter or slightly different texture. Just keep in mind that softer apples might release more juice and become mushier during baking.
How do I make this Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe gluten-free?

You can swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free oats to keep the topping safe for gluten sensitivities. The texture might be a bit different, but the flavors will still shine.
Can I prepare this dessert in advance?

Yes! You can assemble the crisp the day before and keep it covered in the fridge. Just add the topping right before baking to keep it fresh and crumbly. This is a great tip for busy days or entertaining.
Why is my apple crisp soggy sometimes?

A soggy topping often means the butter was too warm or there wasn’t enough flour to absorb juices. Make sure to use cold butter and properly mix the flour and oats in the topping. Also, evenly coating the apples with the sugar and flour mixture helps thicken excess juices.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Pecan Crisp Recipe has become one of those heartwarming desserts I turn to when I want to impress without fuss. I love how versatile it is, and the way the cinnamon and pecans bring out the best in the apples. Whether you’re baking it for a quick weeknight treat or a holiday celebration, it feels like a gift of comfort. Give it a try—you won’t regret filling your kitchen with that amazing smell and serving up a slice of cozy happiness.