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Quick Salted Caramel Apple Crisp with Oat Streusel Recipe

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This quick salted caramel apple crisp with oat streusel is a fast, easy dessert that combines tender apples, a crunchy oat topping, and a ribbon of homemade salted caramel. It’s perfect for weeknights and delivers comfort food magic in under 15 minutes of active prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples (about 2 pounds or 900g), mixed varieties like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (preferably Saigon cinnamon)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (plus more for finishing)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free baking flour)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Prepare the apples: Wash them well (peeling is optional). Cut each apple in half through the core, then into ¼-inch slices. Toss the slices with 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a large bowl. Let them sit while you make the caramel.
  3. Make the salted caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup brown sugar and 4 tablespoons butter. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth (about 2 minutes). Slowly pour in ¼ cup heavy cream while stirring (it will bubble up). Let it simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Stir in ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Make the oat streusel: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, ¾ cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add the cold butter cubes. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Do not overwork.
  5. Assemble the crisp: Spread the apple mixture evenly in a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Drizzle about two-thirds of the salted caramel over the apples (reserve the rest for serving). Sprinkle the oat streusel evenly over the top, covering all the apples. Do not press it down.
  6. Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any overflow. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the streusel is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork. If the streusel is browning too fast, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  7. Rest and serve: Let the crisp cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. Drizzle the reserved caramel over the top, sprinkle with a little extra flaky salt, and serve warm.

Notes

For best results, use a mix of sweet and tart apples (like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith). Keep butter cold for the streusel to ensure a crispy topping. Let the crisp rest after baking to allow juices to thicken. The caramel can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, salted caramel, oat streusel, quick dessert, fall dessert, easy apple crisp

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/quick-salted-caramel-apple-crisp-with-oat-streusel-recipe/