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    Home » Sweets » Easy Cast Iron Apple Crisp

    Easy Cast Iron Apple Crisp

    September 7, 2020 by Tracy | Updated September 22, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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    a plate of apple crisp with ice cream in front of a cast iron of apple crisp with Pinterest pin text.
    a plate of apple crisp with ice cream on top with Pinterest pin text.
    a plate of apple crisp topped with ice cream in front of a cast iron with Pinterest pin text.
    a plate of apple crisp with ice cream on top with Pinterest pin text.
    a plate of apple crisp topped with ice cream with Pinterest pin text.

    It's an apple season favorite. This Easy Cast Iron Apple Crisp is one of the simplest apple desserts that you can make with all of the classic apple crisp flavors!

    a plate of apple crisp with ice cream on top.

    Welcome to apple season, friends! Is there anything more classic than an apple crisp? Ok enough with your pie talk. You know what a crisp has that a pie doesn't? The ease of not having to make a pie crust, that's what! Enter my Easy Cast Iron Apple Crisp!

    7 Simple Ingredients

    apples, oats, sugar, spices, butter, salt.

    Classic flavors. Nothing crazy, nothing too fancy, just like the apple crisp that your grandma made. And again, no pie crust to make! 😉

    • Apples - See below my notes about our favorites to use.
    • Oats - You want Old Fashioned Oats, not instant.
    • Brown Sugar - I use light but you could also use dark which will give it a richer and deeper flavor.
    • Unsalted Butter - You could also use salted butter, just adjust your pinch of salt.
    • Flour - For the crumble
    • Cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt

    The Best Apples to Use

    The best apples for baking are ones that are a little bit more tart in flavor and also ones that keep their structure best so that when you bake them they don't turn into a mushy mess.

    For this recipe, I used an apple called Akane or Tokyo Rose. Not readily available in grocery stores, but if you find them at your local orchard, I thought it was an excellent choice because they're a little tart, and fragrant, and kept their structure beautifully.

    Our favorites that can be readily found in a grocery store: Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Ladys.

    How Easy is it to Make?

    Easy as 1. Cook apples; 2. Add crumble on top; 3. Bake!

    a bowl of apples, butter, and sugar and spices in a bowl.

    Honestly, the "hardest" part is peeling and slicing the apples. If you want to really make your life even easier - here's an apple peeler and corer in one!

    sliced spiced apples in a cast iron.

    Although most crisps are baked in a baking dish, I personally love it in a Cast Iron Skillet. Not only does it just add a lil' touch of fancy but there are also some additional benefits.

    Benefits of Baking with a Cast Iron

    • Control. Instead of a traditional Apple Crisp which is baked in a baking pan, with a cast iron you can cook the apples first on the stovetop to ensure that they are all soft before being baked - without messing up another pan!
    • Even Cooking. One of the top benefits of a cast iron is that it provides an even, steady heat which results in even, steady cooking.
    • Style Points. Let's be honest, which looks better on a table? A baking pan or a cast iron? Exactly.

    The cast iron that we love is a local Portland, OR brand, Finex.

    baked apple crisp in a cast iron.

    Topped with a super easy crumble and baked to perfection!

    To make the crumble, you can use either a pastry cutter, (like this one) or a food processor. Personally, if you have a food processor and don't have a pastry cutter, get yourself a pastry cutter. It's so much less cleaning! This is our favorite:

    Tip: We love prepping this in advance so that it all can be thrown together fast so that it can be baked during dinner so that it's fresh for dessert! To do this, see recipe notes.

    apple crisp in a cast iron with a scoop.

    Serve This With:

    Ice Cream. Like our No Churn Caramelized White Chocolate and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream)

    Caramel Sauce. Like our Super Easy Caramel Sauce From Scratch.

    Our favorite is ice cream!

    a plate of apple crisp with ice cream on top

    Our Other Apple Recipes

    • Easy Homemade Apple Fritters
    • Maple Walnut Baked Apples
    • Pumpkin Pie Apple Crisps
    • German Apple Pancake
    • Apple Fennell Chicken Salad

    FAQs

    Do I have to peel the apples?

    You don't have to. But I prefer this recipe with them peeled. If you don't, then just make sure that your apples are cooked completely, which may take a little bit longer with the skins on.

    Can I prep the apples in advance?

    Yes! I often do this when I know I want to throw this together to be fresh out of the oven after dinner. To prep them in advance, add the apples to a large bowl, pour 1/4 cup of lemon juice on them and then fill the bowl with water so that it covers the apples.

    Can I make this in a smaller cast iron?

    Absolutely. We use a 12-inch but you could definitely use a smaller one, it will just make a thicker crisp.

    Enjoy, friends! As we continue on into the "new normal" that is absolutely crazy and stressful time, just remember, there's always Apple Crisp.

    Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

    If you want to see more, be sure to sign up for my 5 Easy Ways to Start Cooking From Scratch!

    a plate of apple crisp with ice cream on top.

    Easy Cast Iron Apple Crisp

    This Easy Cast Iron Apple Crisp is one of the simplest apple desserts that you can make with all of the classic apple crisp flavors!
    4.93 from 27 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Author: Tracy

    Equipment

    • Cast Iron Skillet
    • Pastry cutter

    Ingredients

    • 6 apples peeled and sliced
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • pinch nutmeg
    • pinch salt

    Topping

    • 1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
    • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
    • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • pinch salt

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Prep apples by washing, peeling, and slicing them.
    • Heat cast iron over medium low heat. In a small bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
    • Add to butter and stir. Add apples and coat with butter and cook for 5 minutes until apples are softened.
    • In a medium bowl, add oats, cinnamon, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt and mix well. Add cubed cool butter and cut in with a pastry cutter or pulse with a food processor.
    • Sprinkle on top of apples in cast iron.
    • Place in center rack in oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.
    • Serve with ice cream or caramel sauce!

    Notes

    Prep recipe in advance!  Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a small container.  Prep apples and add them to a large bowl and add 1/4 lemon juice and cover apples in bowl with water and cover.  Add oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt to a medium bowl and cover.  Drain apples before using. Cook apples while you're prepping your dinner, and then put it all in the oven when you sit down for dinner so that it's ready when you're ready!  
    If you choose not to peel apples, just make sure that you cook the apples in the cast iron until they are soft, which may take a little bit longer. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @ServedFromScratch or use #ServedFromScratch!

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    Comments

    1. ramona

      August 29, 2022 at 6:55 am

      5 stars
      This is a really quick and delicious recipe and i cant wait to make it. I love any dessert with apples, its always the best. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    2. Moop Brown

      August 29, 2022 at 12:26 am

      5 stars
      This dessert looks super delicious and is perfect for the approaching fall season. Looking forward to trying it.

      Reply
      • Tracy

        August 29, 2022 at 5:51 am

        Thanks! Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Dennis

      August 28, 2022 at 7:42 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea making the apple crisp in a cast iron pan. It turned out so good! Thanks for such a delicious and easy recipe that my family loved.

      Reply
      • Tracy

        August 29, 2022 at 5:53 am

        Thanks so much, Dennis!

        Reply
    4. Tristin

      August 27, 2022 at 9:34 pm

      5 stars
      I love apple season so that I can make all of the apple crisp! This recipe was great, will be making it all through the fall.

      Reply
      • Tracy

        August 29, 2022 at 5:54 am

        So great to hear, Tristin! Thanks so much for sharing!

        Reply
    5. Mikayla

      August 26, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      We just love a warm apple crisp, I found your recipe simple and delicious and really enjoyed using my cast iron to make it.

      Reply
    6. Uma

      August 26, 2022 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      This is my all-time favorite dessert! I will try this apple crisp recipe next time in cast iron.

      Reply
      • Tracy

        August 27, 2022 at 7:26 am

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    7. Ann

      August 23, 2022 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      I had some extra apples on hand, so decided to make this recipe. Delicious! Was great right out of the oven with a spoonful of ice cream on top!

      Reply
    8. Gloria

      August 22, 2022 at 6:38 am

      5 stars
      Apple season is just around the corner. I love cooking in cast iron. This will be a great dessert for the Fall.

      Reply
    9. Cate Crown

      November 23, 2020 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      This is a really easy recipe and so tasty. I use apples that are on hand, so I've used 4 or 5 and usually use Granny Smiths. Try it!

      Reply
      • Tracy

        November 23, 2020 at 2:53 pm

        That's great, thanks Cate!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tracy!

    Mom of two, lover of cheese, spinach, and replacing a box or jar of premade anything with a from scratch version. Here you'll find our whole foods recipes that'll add some easy, approachable from scratch flair to your cooking! Read More…

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