Indulge in the irresistible charm of a homemade **apple strawberry crisp recipe**, a delightful dessert that effortlessly combines the sweet essence of summer berries with the comforting tang of apples. This easy-to-make treat, often known as an **apple and strawberry crumble** with its signature oat topping, is a true celebration of seasonal fruit. Forget the fuss of complex pastries; this crisp is like a cobbler, but with a wonderfully crispy, buttery oat streusel that many find even more satisfying. Prepare to discover expert tips for crafting a **strawberry apple crisp** that achieves perfection with every bake, explore creative **apple strawberry recipe** variations, and much more!
🍓 The Ultimate Apple Strawberry Crisp: A Delightful Summer Dessert
There’s something uniquely comforting about a warm fruit crisp, and this apple strawberry rendition takes that comfort to a new level. The combination of sweet, juicy strawberries and slightly tart apples, all bubbling beneath a golden, crunchy oat topping, creates a symphony of flavors and textures. It’s the ideal dessert for a backyard barbecue, a cozy family dinner, or simply a treat to brighten any day. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, ensuring a delicious outcome every time.
Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Strawberry Crisp
Crafting the perfect apple strawberry crisp begins with selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for both the luscious fruit filling and the irresistible oat streusel topping:
For the Apple Strawberry Filling:
- 3 cups sliced strawberries (approximately 16 oz or 450g), fresh is highly recommended for best results.
- 3 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples.
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar, to enhance the fruits’ natural sweetness.
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch, acting as a thickener to create that perfectly gooey, not watery, filling.
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest, for a bright, aromatic lift that complements the fruit.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, adding a warm, classic spice note that pairs beautifully with apples.
For the Crispy Oat Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour, forming the base of your crumbly topping.
- ½ cup rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats), essential for the crisp’s signature texture and nutty flavor.
- 6 tablespoons butter (salted), chilled and cut into small pieces, for rich flavor and ideal crumb formation.
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed), providing moisture and a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
- Cooking spray, for preparing your baking dish.
For a printable version of this recipe, please refer to the recipe card located further down the page!
Tools and Equipment You’ll Need
Beyond the ingredients, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools to make this crisp: a good sharp knife for slicing, a Y-peeler or another reliable apple peeler, and an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking dish. What makes crisps so enjoyable to bake is their forgiving nature; unlike many precise baking recipes, you don’t necessarily need to weigh your dry ingredients for perfect results. This flexibility makes crisps and crumbles ideal for novice bakers.
Fruit Selection and Customization Tips
While apples and strawberries are the stars here, feel free to experiment! You could add some chopped rhubarb for an extra tart kick, or mix in other berries like blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries. A splash of vanilla extract can also deepen the flavor profile. When it comes to strawberries, fresh ones generally offer a superior texture to frozen varieties and require less cooking time. This recipe is also a fantastic way to utilize “imperfect” fruit – those apples or strawberries that are slightly bruised or not quite picture-perfect are ideal for baking!
Making it Vegan
For a vegan apple strawberry crisp, simply substitute the dairy butter in the topping with a stick of vegan butter alternative or an equal amount of solid coconut oil. Ensure all other ingredients are plant-based, and you’ll have a delicious vegan-friendly dessert.
What is the best apple for a crisp?
The best type of apple for an apple crisp is one that provides a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness while maintaining its structure during baking. Popular choices include Granny Smith apples, known for their tartness and firm texture, Honeycrisp for their sweet and crisp bite, and Braeburn for their sweet-tart flavor and excellent texture. For me, Cortland apples often yield the best results in crisps, though I sometimes use MacIntosh if they are readily available.
Should you peel apples for apple crisp?
Peeling apples for an apple and strawberry crisp is largely a matter of personal preference. However, I strongly recommend it. Peeled apples contribute to a much smoother, more refined texture in the fruit filling. While leaving the skins on adds fiber and a rustic look, the skins can sometimes become tough or chewy after baking, detracting from the overall enjoyable experience of a soft fruit filling. Peeling also ensures the flavors of the fruit and spices blend more seamlessly.
🍎 Preparing Your Apple and Strawberry Crumble
Since a crisp is essentially a crumble with oats, you can also refer to this delightful dessert as an **apple strawberry crumble with oats**. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a perfect **strawberry and apple crumble** that will impress everyone:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly mist an 8×8-inch baking dish with your preferred cooking oil spray to prevent sticking.
Prepare your fruit: Slice the fresh strawberries into bite-sized pieces. For the apples, peel, core, and then slice them to about ¼ to ½ inch (0.64-1.27 cm) thick. Halve the slices widthwise to ensure even cooking and easier serving.
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the sliced strawberries and apples with the granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Ensure all the fruit is evenly coated. Transfer this flavorful apple strawberry crisp filling to the bottom of your prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
Prepare the topping: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, packed light brown sugar, and the cold butter chunks. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to mix these ingredients until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms, resembling wet sand.
Evenly sprinkle the prepared crisp topping over the fruit filling in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 35-40 minutes. Position the baking dish on a rack approximately one-third of the way down from the top of the oven for optimal browning.
Once baked, remove the strawberry apple crumble from the oven. Allow it to cool for about 20 minutes before portioning and serving. This cooling time allows the fruit filling to set properly, preventing it from being too runny. I love serving apple strawberry crumble warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Should apple crisp be covered while baking?
No, an apple crisp should ideally not be covered while baking. The primary goal of baking a crisp is to achieve a beautifully golden brown and crunchy topping. Covering the dish would trap steam and moisture, which could lead to a soggy or less crispy crumble topping. To ensure maximum crispness, bake uncovered, allowing the moisture to escape and the oats and flour to toast to perfection.
How to make apple strawberry crisp without oats?
If you prefer an apple strawberry crisp without oats, you can easily modify the topping. Replace the rolled oats with alternative ingredients that still provide a delightful crispy texture. Consider using a mixture of almond flour, finely chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans), shredded coconut, or a gluten-free flour blend. These substitutes will create a wonderful crumbly topping that perfectly complements the sweet fruit filling, offering a slightly different but equally delicious experience.
➕ How to Store Leftover Strawberry Apple Crisp
Any leftover apple strawberry crisp can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this delicious dessert freezes exceptionally well. Place cooled crisp in a freezer-safe container, and it can last for several months in the freezer without losing its delightful flavor. To thaw, simply transfer the frozen crisp to the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. You can enjoy it chilled, or gently reheat it in the microwave or oven for a warm, comforting treat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are apples and strawberries good together?
Absolutely! Apples and strawberries are a fantastic combination. Their distinct flavors and textures complement each other beautifully, creating a delightful sweet and tangy taste profile. The sweetness of strawberries balances the crispness and subtle tartness of apples, making them perfect partners in fruit salads, pies, smoothies, and, of course, crisps.
How do you keep apple crisp from getting soggy?
Several factors contribute to a soggy apple crisp. To prevent this, ensure your apple slices are not excessively thin, as thinner slices release more moisture. Also, be mindful not to use an excessive amount of liquid in the fruit filling. Baking the crisp uncovered is crucial, as it allows moisture to evaporate and the topping to crisp up properly. Lastly, avoid using overripe apples, which tend to have higher water content and release more liquid during baking. Using a thickener like cornstarch also helps significantly.
Why is my apple crisp so dry?
A dry apple crisp typically indicates a lack of sufficient moisture in the fruit filling or that it has been overbaked. To prevent this, opt for juicy apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Braeburn. You might also consider adding a small amount of apple juice or water to the filling mixture, especially if your fruit seems particularly dry. Closely monitor baking times to avoid overcooking, which can dry out both the fruit and the topping.
Why is my apple crisp so watery?
If your apple crisp turns out watery, it’s often because the apples released too much moisture during baking. Selecting apples with a lower water content, such as Granny Smith or Jonagold, can help. Additionally, increasing the amount of a thickening agent like cornstarch or tapioca flour, or sprinkling some over the fruit before adding the topping, can absorb excess liquid and ensure a perfectly set filling.
How to make apple strawberry crisp gluten-free?
To prepare a delicious gluten-free apple strawberry crisp, simply substitute regular all-purpose flour in the topping with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. It’s also important to confirm that all other ingredients, including the rolled oats if you choose to use them, are certified gluten-free. With these simple adjustments, you can enjoy a fantastic gluten-free dessert without compromising on flavor or texture.
👩🏻🍳 More Apple and Strawberry Recipes to Explore
If you’re a fan of the apple and strawberry combination, you’ll love these other delightful recipes:
- Apple Strawberry Smoothie: A refreshing and healthy start to your day.
- Apple Strawberry Cake: A moist and flavorful cake perfect for any occasion.
- Recipe for Apple Strawberry Pie: A classic dessert with a fruity twist.
- Apple Strawberry Muffins: Perfect for breakfast or a snack on the go.
If strawberries are out of season or unavailable, consider trying this delicious sugar-free apple crisp as a fantastic alternative.
Watch How to Make It!
Apple Strawberry Crisp (Apple and Strawberry Crumble Recipe)
Summer Yule
★★★★★
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Ingredients
Apple Strawberry Filling:
- 3 cups sliced strawberries (about 16 oz)
- 3 cups apples (peeled, cored, sliced)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Apple Strawberry Crisp Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 6 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- cooking spray of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Mist an 8×8-inch (20x20cm) baking dish with cooking oil spray.
- Slice the strawberries. Peel, core, and slice the apples. Cut the slices ¼-½ inch (0.64-1.27 cm) thick, and then slice them in half widthwise.
- Gently stir the strawberries, apples, sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and cinnamon together in a mixing bowl. Spread the apple strawberry crisp filling on the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Put the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and chunks of cold butter into a medium-sized bowl. Combine it until a crumbly mixture is formed.
- Sprinkle the crisp topping in an even layer on top of the fruit filling in the baking dish. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 35-40 minutes on a rack ⅓ down from the top of the oven.
- Let the strawberry apple crumble cool for about 20 minutes before cutting and serving.
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Equipment
- 8×8 Glass Baking Dish
- Knife
- Peeler
Notes
Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Apple strawberry crisp is a tasty dessert with lots of added sugar and fat, and not a lot of filling protein. Even though there’s fruit here, this one’s meant to be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
To make a healthier apple strawberry crisp without sacrificing flavor, I’d substitute half the white flour for whole wheat flour in the streusel topping. I’d also consider using your favorite 1:1 sugar-free sugar substitute, such as Swerve, in place of the regular sugar. This sugar swap will drastically reduce the amount of carbs and calories in the recipe.
Nutrition information is for one serving.
Nutrition Info Disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food.
Nutrition
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