How to Make the Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp
American · Easy · 50 min · 6 servings
Warm cinnamon-spiced apples are topped with a buttery oat crumble and baked directly in a cast iron skillet for a rustic and comforting dessert. The even heat distribution of cast iron ensures the topping becomes perfectly golden and crunchy while the apples turn tender and jammy.
Why this recipe works
This Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 380 calories with 4g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 5 medium Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Apples
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the sliced apples with half the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, then spread them evenly in a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
Step 2: Make the Crisp Topping
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, remaining brown sugar, and remaining cinnamon. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbles with some pea-sized chunks remaining.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple layer in the skillet, covering the apples completely. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the topping is deep golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling around the edges.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the apple crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm directly from the skillet with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- Granny Smith apples → Honeycrisp apples for a sweeter and slightly less tart flavor profile
- all-purpose flour → almond flour to make the crisp topping gluten-free
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using salted butter in the topping, which can make the dessert taste overly salty and unbalanced
- Not allowing the crisp to cool before serving, which results in a runny filling that cannot hold its shape
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 380 calories, 4g protein, 58g carbs, 16g fat, 4g fiber.
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