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Two individual small-batch apple crisps with tender cinnamon apples and golden oat crumble, one served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Cozy Small-Batch Apple Crisp for Two

A cozy small-batch apple crisp made with tender cinnamon apples and a buttery brown sugar oat topping, perfectly portioned for two and ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Apple Filling
  • 2 medium apples peeled, cored, and sliced about ¼-inch thick
  • 1½ tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • Crisp Topping
  • ⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Small pinch fine salt
  • 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces
  • Optional for Serving
  • Vanilla or salted caramel ice cream

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Lightly grease a small 5 × 7-inch baking dish or two oven-safe ramekins.
  3. Peel, core, and slice the apples approximately ¼-inch thick.
  4. Toss apples with lemon juice.
  5. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and cornstarch.
  6. Toss until evenly coated.
  7. Transfer apples to the prepared baking dish.
  8. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
  9. Add cold butter pieces.
  10. Work butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or fingertips until irregular crumbs form.
  11. Scatter the topping loosely over the apples.
  12. Bake for approximately 28–35 minutes.
  13. Check that the topping is golden and the apple juices are bubbling.
  14. Test an apple slice for tenderness.
  15. Remove from oven.
  16. Rest for 10–15 minutes.
  17. Divide between two servings.
  18. Serve warm, optionally with ice cream.

Notes

  • Use apples that hold their shape during baking, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn.
  • Combining one tart and one sweet apple gives the filling more balanced flavor.
  • Keep the butter cold when preparing the topping.
  • Don't press the oat topping onto the apples.
  • Two individual ramekins can be used instead of one small baking dish.
  • Begin checking ramekins slightly earlier.
  • Let the crisp rest before serving so the juices can thicken.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator.