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Pioneer Woman Apple Crisp

Pioneer Woman apple crisp features a bubbling apple filling and a thick, golden brown sugar-oat crumble. Bake it until the topping is crisp and the apples soften through for a classic American dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For apple filling
  • 8 Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
For the topping
  • 1.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed (2 sticks)
For serving
  • 1 whipped cream or ice cream for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and fill the dish
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter a 9x13 baking dish generously so the crisp releases easily.
  2. Toss the apple slices with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon, then pour them into the baking dish. Spread the apples into an even layer.
Make the crumble topping
  1. Combine all-purpose flour, rolled oats, both sugars, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix until the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
  2. Cut in the cold cubed butter with your hands until the mixture forms large, butter-streaked clumps. Stop when you still see chunky clumps rather than a fine powder.
Bake and serve
  1. Pour and spread the topping over the apples, covering evenly to the edges of the dish. Aim for an even crumble layer so it crisps throughout.
  2. Bake for 55-60 minutes at 350F until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling bubbles. Look for bubbling at the edges as the visual cue of doneness.
  3. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream. Spoon the crisp so you get tender apples and the thick, crisp crumble on top.

Notes

For the best thick crumble, keep the butter cold and handle the topping as little as possible so the clumps stay chunky. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat individual portions in the oven at 350F until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the topping can soften after thawing. For a dairy-light option, use plant-based butter; the crumble texture will be slightly different but still works.