This easy stovetop apple crisp takes only 20 minutes to make and does not compromise on flavor. You cook the apples in a skillet, then sprinkle them with a buttery and crunchy toasted topping. It's a delicious dessert and you can easily make as many or as few servings as you want.
Ingredients for the apple crisp base:
- I tested different apple varieties for this recipe and the variety that worked best was Gala. A good alternative if Gala apples are not available is Fuji.
Topping ingredients:
The topping is made with rolled oats, pecans and sesame seeds, sweetened with brown sugar and toasted with butter. (Note that rolled oats are sometimes also called old-fashioned oats.)
How to make it:
See full ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below!
- Cut, core and peel the apples, then cut into ½-inch chunks. Melt butter, then add the apple chunks, brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
- Put on the lid and cook the apples until soft (about 7 minutes).
- To make the topping, melt butter in a small pan. Stir in brown sugar, rolled oats, chopped pecans and sesame seeds.
- Cook the topping on low heat until crunchy.
Recipe note:
It's very easy to burn the topping, so please don't take your eyes off the pan.
How to serve it:
Add the warm cinnamon apples into individual serving bowls, then sprinkle with the toasty oat/nut/sesame mix. You can put a dollop of whipped cream (or ice cream) on top, if you like.
How to store leftovers:
Store any leftover apples and topping separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat both components separately on the stovetop.
More delicious stovetop desserts:
- White Chocolate Mousse Recipe (no eggs)8 Hours 10 Minutes
- Spiced Eggnog45 Minutes
- Mini Chocolate Trifles10 Minutes
- Spiced Chocolate Ginger Truffles3 Hours 30 Minutes
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how you liked it in the comments below! Thank you!
Full Printable Recipe
Stovetop Apple Crisp
Equipment:
- measuring cups and spoons
- knife and cutting board
- skillet with lid
- rubber spatula
- small pan
- wooden spoon
Ingredients:
For the apples:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 Gala* apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
For the topping:
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ¼ cup rolled oats**
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 1 ½ teaspoons sesame seeds
- whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions:
For the apples:
- Melt the butter in a skillet.
- Add apples, cinnamon and brown sugar. Stir until well combined.
- Put on the lid. Let the apples cook on medium to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until they are soft (about 7 minutes).
For the topping:
- Melt the butter in a small pan.
- Add sugar, oats, pecans and sesame seeds and brown for a few minutes until crunchy. (Do this on relatively low heat and watch closely, it will burn easily.)
- Serve apples in a bowl and sprinkle the topping on.
- Top with ice cream or whipped cream (optional).
Tiffani Williams
Excellent
Nicole B.
Thanks! So glad you like it!
Deanne Evans
I put the toppings in on top of apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and butter. Cooked for a couple minutes then let it sit for 5 minutes. Ate it with Greek vanilla yogurt on the side. Very yummy and healthier. Thank you!!
Nicole B.
You're welcome, Deanne! I'm so happy to hear that you liked this recipe. Thanks so much for making it and sharing your review!
Jim W.
Wow, this is fantastic! I had some sliced apples simmering with a little water in a skillet and then added cinnamon and some maple syrup. I googled ‘apple crisp’ and found your topping recipe, which I modified based on what I had. It was Quaker Oats, brown sugar, some pecan pieces, and maple syrup; toasted this in a pan on the stove. Mixed the toasted topping with the cooked apples and put a serving in a bowl with some soy milk on top, it’s like the greatest granola ever! Fast and easy! Thank you!
Nicole B.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Jim!! I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Jacey
Made this for breakfast with plain greek yogurt on the side and it was sooo so good!! I used pink lady apples and it turned out great. Love it.
Nicole B.
I'm thrilled to hear that, Jacey! Thanks so much for coming back and leaving a review, I appreciate that!!
Orion
This was absolutely incredible! I didn't have the pecans and so I meant to double the oats but forgot, and it genuinely tasted like kettle corn. I highly recommend trying it with half the nuts/oats or double the butter and sugar! Even the apples alone were delicious though. I topped it with canned whipped cream and this is definitely one of the best desserts I've had in a while. I look forward to trying it with the nuts!
Nicole B.
That's wonderful to hear, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Karen D
I substituted nectarines from a friends tree and threw in some fresh blueberries for color. I topped it off with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.Everyone raved about how good this recipe tasted! I will definitely use this recipe again.
Nicole B.
That's so wonderful to hear, Karen! Such a great idea to use nectarines, I'm going to have to try that! :)
Toni
Can I use quick oats to make the crisp topping?
Nicole B.
Yes, that will work fine.
Karla Grigsby
Needed a healthy snack/dessert for my 2yr old son.tried this recipe he absolutely loved the no bake topping. not only did he love it so did my husband and I.Thx for this one!
Nicole B.
That is so great to hear, Karla! Thank you so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it! :)
Chandni
Hi! Tried this recipe today and it was really good :) Was in a hurry so replaced the nuts and seeds with museli with nuts. Thanks for this one!
Nicole B.
That's so great to hear, Chandni! Thanks for leaving such a nice comment, I really appreciate it! Such a great idea to substitute muesli, I have to try that. :)
Chandni
Please do! And you are most welcome Nicole. Please keep more such recipes coming. It's very motivating for budding home chefs :)
Sian
Thanks for this recipe - I've used the no bake topping twice for a speedy dessert and my family loves it!
Nicole B.
That is SO GREAT to hear, Sian! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback, I really appreciate it. :)