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Kid-Approved Brown Butter Apple Crisp with Oat Streusel

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This kid-approved brown butter apple crisp with oat streusel features a nutty, caramel-like richness from browned butter and a perfectly crunchy oat topping over tender, jammy apples. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert that makes any weeknight meal feel special.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups apples, peeled and sliced (about 5–6 medium apples, mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Make the brown butter: Place 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt completely, stirring occasionally. After about 5-7 minutes, when the butter turns golden amber with brown specks and smells nutty, remove from heat immediately and pour into a heat-safe bowl to stop cooking.
  3. Prepare the apples: Peel and slice apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place in a large mixing bowl. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until evenly coated. Set aside.
  4. Make the oat streusel: In a medium mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Stir with a fork. Pour slightly cooled brown butter over dry ingredients and mix until clumps form (some large, some small). If too dry, add a tablespoon of melted butter; if too wet, add a tablespoon of flour.
  5. Assemble the crisp: Pour apple mixture into an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle oat streusel evenly over the top without pressing down.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until streusel is golden brown and apple filling bubbles around the edges. If streusel browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  7. Cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Notes

Let the brown butter cool for 5 minutes before mixing into streusel to avoid melting the oats. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any bubbling over. For best results, use a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples. Old-fashioned rolled oats are essential for texture; do not use quick oats.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, oat streusel, kid-approved, easy dessert, fall dessert, apple dessert

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/kid-approved-brown-butter-apple-crisp-with-oat-streusel/