The only thing better than apple pie is salted caramel apple crisp! An easy caramel apple crisp makes for the perfect fall dessert that easily feeds a crowd.
APPLE CRISP! Who doesn’t love it?! And is there anything more quintessential than apple crisp when it comes to fall desserts? I think I mentioned to you all a while back about the giant box of apples I picked up at the harvest sale? I have been making good use of them, mostly through recipe testing! This past weekend I was going to dice them up for something else but I saw they were getting a bit soft so I pureed them down and turned them into fruit leather. So yummy!
Apple crisp is one of my fave go-to desserts for when company comes over. It’s SO easy to throw together and it takes literally no effort. And it’s always a hit! Always! Hot apple crisp with cool vanilla ice cream? I mean…
It’s a classic for a reason!
What kind of apples do you use for apple crisp?
So typically, I’d use Granny Smith apples for a pie or crisp, but since I had a mountain of these (I’m not even sure what kind they are) I used them instead. The perfect way to use up some apples and a cup of that salted caramel you saw last week.
Why add salted caramel to apple crisp? Because. Salted caramel. If you don’t like it, then you’re just wrong!
The salted caramel just takes it over the top! Digging into the crisp gives you soft and chunky apples, a buttery, crispy topping and ooey-gooey caramel! Heck yes!
Preparing the crisp is no different than any other time, except that you pour the caramel all over the apples prior to adding the oatmeal topping. I happen to be partial to my homemade sauce, but you can absolutely use store-bought caramel sauce too! Don’t be intimidated by making your own. It doesn’t take a ton of time and it’s SO easy!
What kind of dish do you use for apple crisp?
I opted to throw this crisp together in my 10″ cast iron skillet, but you can use an 8″ x 8″ baking pan too! There’s just something fun about eating dessert or serving it out of a cast iron skillet, don’t you think?
You can also make the crisp ahead of time and keep it in the fridge before you’re ready to bake it. It takes about 45-50 minutes in the oven and then you’ll want to leave a bit of time to let it cool down before serving. Trust me, you don’t want to burn your tongue on hot salted caramel!! I speak from experience….
So if you’re having company over soon or you just want to make something delicious for yourselves this weekend, I HIGHLY recommend this salted caramel apple crisp!
Easy desserts are the best. If you need a few more ideas, I’ve got you covered.
- Mini skillet lava cakes for 2
- Funfetti crepe cake
- Easy raspberry and chocolate mousse
- Rolo no-churn ice cream
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4-5 servings 1x
Description
The only thing better than apple pie is salted caramel apple crisp! An easy caramel apple crisp makes for the perfect fall dessert that easily feeds a crowd
Ingredients
- 4–5 apples*, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed (cold)
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce*, plus more for drizzling
- optional: ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease a 10″ or 11″ cast iron skillet, or 8″x8″ baking pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Toss to coat the apples. In another medium-sized bowl, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and all-purpose flour. Using a pastry cutter or a fork, cut in the cubed butter until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs.
- Empty the apples in an even layer in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the salted caramel sauce all over the apples, and stir to combine. Scatter the oat mixture over the apples, in an even layer. The mixture should thoroughly cover the apples. Place the dish in the oven, and cook for 45-50 minutes until bubbling and hot. Remove, and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving with a dollop of ice cream!
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Make ahead: the crisp can be made ahead of time and assembled, and kept in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap up to 1 day ahead.
Notes
- I would recommend using a crisp, tart apple like a Granny Smith, but really, any apple you have on hand works!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Keywords: salted caramel desserts // easy caramel apple crisp // fall dessert
I’m dying. This looks SO GOOD! And since there’s fruit in it I think I can have it for breakfast :). I have to try this one soon! Have a great week, Katherine!
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It’s totally acceptable for breakfast, Kelsie!! Thank you!! Happy weekend!
Great minds think alike, right?
First of all, apple crisps / crumbles are the best; so easy-peasy and delicious! I started my fall baking season by making an apple crisp a week ago.
And secondly, I added a caramel spread into my crumble, too!
Now, I’ve got to try a version with salted caramel cause it looks absolutely amazing!
Absolutely beautiful harvest time dessert dear ! Thank you and enjoy your weekend 🙂
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Thank you!! I love the fall desserts!
Adding salted caramel to the equation can only make apple crisp better! This looks amazing Katherine, and it’s a dessert I’d love to eat all fall long. 🙂
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That’s right, Marcie! All apple crisps should have some salted caramel 😉 Thank you!!
I always love any dessert in a cast iron skillet. And salted caramel? How can ya go wrong? You definitely make good use of those apples, my friend! And I bet that fruit leather was yummy too! Hope you guys have a lovely weekend 🙂 XOXO
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The fruit leather was awesome, Dawn! Thank you my friend. I’m all about the cast iron skillet desserts, too. They just taste better!!
Looks perfect in that skillet and it is so much fun to eat out of it especially with a group of friends and family all at the same time, and I’m sure I’d burn my tongue too…experience. hehe I love the little baby skillet too! Pinning and have a great weekend! xo
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It’s hard not to burn your tongue on it haha! Thanks Kim!! Any excuse to use my baby skillet 😉
Apple crisp is one of my family’s favorite desserts. I made one today but I didn’t add salted caramel. I’ve got to do it next time because this looks and sounds so good, Katherine!! I love desserts served in cast iron too!!
Yay! Glad you made an apple crisp today too. It’s such an easy win, right? So yummy! You’ve definitely got to try the salted caramel in it!
I love the addition of salted caramel to this delicious apple crisp! It’s absolutely perfect for fall and I love how easy this will be for entertaining. Another winner Katherine!
Thank you Tasia!! I love the idea of entertaining with one of these this fall, too. Everyone would be happy! Hope you had a great weekend!
Talk about a sugar explosion! My family loves apple crispy, and caramel and apple go so well together. I think this might have to be made in my kitchen soon for a Sunday night treat!
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Hah yes, sugar explosion indeed!!! Thank you Matt – I love to think of it as a Sunday night treat, too!
Apple crisps are an essential fall dessert! I’m posting an apple pear crisp later this week, and I’m totally wishing I incorporated your salted caramel sauce into the recipe! Pinning!
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Ooh apple pear sounds delightful!! I can’t wait to see it – one day you’ll have to throw in some caramel too!!
I personally think that when people say ‘the fall air is crisp’, they are talking about the gorgeous aromas of baking apple crisps! That’s how I imagine it, anyway.
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Hahah I think you’re right about that. What’s more crisp than apple crisp!?
Sign me up for this apple crisp! That salted caramel sauce is such a great addition!
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Thanks Jessica!! The caramel sauce is the BEST! 🙂
This is such a favorite dessert of mine but I never thought about adding caramel sauce!! Definitely going to try that! I would just go at the whole pan by myself with a fork hehehe
Hah, it’s hard not to, Kelly! I LOVE caramel on anything so it’s pretty addictive with this crisp!! Cheers my friend!
Simple and easy recipe. Love the scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream on the top <3 Thanks for sharing
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This caramel rose apple pie is mesmerizingly beautiful <3 Thanks for sharing
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Your skillet apple crisp looks so amazing with those rolled oats and homemade salted caramel. Talk about the perfect way to kick off the Fall! 💕💕
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Totally perfect way to kick off fall Heidi!! You can’t beat apples and caramel sauce!
That salted caramel apple crisp looks amazing my friend! I am loving this recipe especially for the fall time for apple season!
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I’m excited about apple season too, Christie!! Thanks my friend. So tasty!