This Brown Butter Apple Crisp is the perfect fall dessert! It features sweet apples coated in nutty brown butter and a crunchy oat topping. Yum!
I love how the warm spices make my kitchen smell amazing while it bakes. It’s hard to resist stealing a spoonful before serving! 🍏
This crisp is easy to whip up and great served with ice cream on top. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl! Trust me, you’ll want seconds!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: Granny Smith apples offer a tartness that balances the sweetness of the crisp. Honeycrisp apples are sweeter and add a nice crunch. If you can’t find either, feel free to mix different types like Fuji or Braeburn for more depth!
Unsalted Butter: This is key for that rich brown butter flavor. If you want a dairy-free option, use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter substitute. Just keep an eye on it as it browns to prevent burning.
Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats are perfect for achieving a crunchy topping. If you need a gluten-free option, use certified gluten-free oats instead! They work just as well.
Brown Sugar: This adds sweetness and moisture to the topping. If you want less sugar, consider using maple syrup or honey as a substitute, but aim to reduce the liquid in the recipe slightly.
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Brown Butter?
Brown butter can take a recipe to another level with its nutty flavor. To make it perfectly, follow these simple steps:
- In a saucepan, add the butter and heat it over medium. Keep an eye on it as it melts.
- Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat slightly. Stir often to distribute the heat evenly.
- After about 4-5 minutes, look for a light golden brown color. Remove it from the heat to stop cooking immediately!
Remember, once it starts to brown, it can go from golden to burned quickly, so don’t walk away!
How Should You Layer the Filling and Topping?
Layering makes a difference in texture and flavor. Here’s how to do it:
- First, evenly spread the apple filling in your prepared dish.
- Then, sprinkle the browned oat topping evenly across the apples. This helps ensure that each bite gets that crunchy goodness.
- Don’t pack the topping too tightly, as it needs space to crisp up nicely in the oven!
How to Make Brown Butter Apple Crisp
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Apple Filling:
- 5-6 medium-sized apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Brown Butter Oat Topping:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Brown Butter Apple Crisp takes about 15 minutes to prep, and then you’ll bake it for 40-45 minutes. Plus, it’s best served warm, so be sure to allow a few minutes to cool before diving in!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, lightly butter a 9×9 inch baking dish (or a similar-sized oval dish) to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Apple Filling:
In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Keep an eye on it as it melts—when the butter turns a light golden brown and has a nutty aroma (this should take about 3-5 minutes), it’s time to add the granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir everything together until well mixed.
3. Combine with Apples:
Gently add the sliced apples to the saucepan, tossing them with the brown butter mixture so they’re coated evenly. Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes, just until they start to soften a bit. Once they’re ready, remove the pan from the heat.
4. Transfer to Baking Dish:
Carefully pour the coated apples, along with any liquid, into your prepared baking dish, spreading them out evenly to ensure even baking.
5. Make the Brown Butter Oat Topping:
Now, in a small saucepan, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat for the topping. Cook it until it turns golden brown and gives off that rich, nutty smell—this should take about 4-5 minutes. Be sure to keep a close watch on it so it doesn’t burn!
6. Mix Topping Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the browned butter with old-fashioned rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir the mixture until it’s crumbly and everything is mixed well.
7. Add Topping to Apples:
Sprinkle your brown butter oat topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish. This will create a delicious crunchy layer on top!
8. Bake the Crisp:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is golden and crisp, and you see bubbly filling around the edges.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
Once baked, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. It’s best served warm, so scoop some into a bowl and top it with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy this comforting treat!
Savor the delightful combination of warm, spiced apples and nutty brown butter in each bite. Enjoy your homemade Brown Butter Apple Crisp!
Can I Use Other Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are fantastic choices, you can mix different apple varieties like Fuji, Braeburn, or Gala for a unique flavor. Just aim for a balance of sweet and tart apples for the best result!
What If I Don’t Have Brown Sugar?
If you’re out of brown sugar, you can easily substitute it with white granulated sugar plus a tablespoon of molasses for a similar flavor. Alternatively, you can just use granulated sugar, but it might lack the rich, caramel notes.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To enjoy it warm later, simply reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until warmed through.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the apple filling and topping a day in advance and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just assemble them in the baking dish and bake as directed. This can save you time on busy days!
