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This single serving apple crisp delivers all the flavors of a classic dessert in just 30 minutes. Made with one apple, it features tender, cinnamon-spiced apples beneath a crisp, buttery topping. It’s a simple and satisfying way to enjoy a warm homemade treat.
Looking for more ways to use a single apple? Try our mini Apple Cake, lightly spiced Apple Cobbler, caramelized Fried Apples, or rustic Apple Galette.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made with one apple and a few pantry staples for an easy, homemade dessert.
- Perfectly Portioned: Just the right size for one, so there’s no waste or leftovers.
- Versatile: Works with any apple, from tart Granny Smith to sweet Honeycrisp.
- Warm and Comforting: Soft, spiced apples with a crisp, buttery topping make every bite satisfying.
- No Special Equipment Needed: Just a bowl and a baking dish—no mixers or extra tools required.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve apple crisp recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Apple: Use one medium apple of any variety you like. Extra apples? Try them in Morning Glory Muffins.
- Sugars: Granulated sugar sweetens the apples, creating a light sauce as they bake. Brown sugar in the topping adds a caramel-like depth. If needed, substitute granulated sugar or make your own with our brown sugar recipe.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the apple filling and is essential for the crisp topping.
- Cinnamon and vanilla: Add warmth and flavor to the apple crisp.
- Rolled Oats: Give the topping its crisp texture. Quick oats work but create a softer topping. Leftover oats? Use them in Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or Baked Oatmeal.
- Butter: Use softened butter for the topping—firm but soft enough to leave an indentation when pressed.
Recipe Variations
- Pear Crisp: Swap the apple for a ripe pear for a delicious twist.
- Berry Crisp: Use blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a fruity variation.
- Tropical Crisp: Replace the apple with chopped pineapple and mango for a tropical flavor.
- Vegan Apple Crisp: Use coconut oil instead of butter and sweeten with maple syrup.
How To Make An Apple Crisp
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small apple crisp. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Make the filling: Mix together the chopped apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small bowl.
- Transfer the apples to a 10-ounce ramekin.
- Make the crisp topping: In a small bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut the softened butter into small pieces and add them to the bowl. Blend in the butter using a fork or your fingers and mix until well combined.
- Scatter the topping evenly over the apples. Place the ramekin on a small rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake in a 350°F (177°C) preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Choose a Ripe Apple: A ripe apple gives the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for almond flour or a gluten-free blend.
- Prevent Spills: Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips.
- Avoid Over-Browning: If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil while baking.
Ways To Serve
Pair your apple crisp with one of these delicious additions for an even more satisfying treat.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic topping that complements the warm, spiced apples.
- Whipped Cream: Light and airy, perfect for a quick finishing touch.
- Caramel Sauce – Drizzle over the crisp for extra sweetness and depth
Frequently Asked Questions
For an oat-free topping, mix together 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of softened butter. For extra flavor, you can add 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the chopped apples before baking.
Peeling the apple is optional. While I usually peel my apple, leaving the skin on works just as well for this apple crisp recipe.
Absolutely! To make a larger crisp, simply double the ingredients. You can use either a 4×6-inch or a 5×5-inch baking dish, or divide the mixture between two 10-ounce ramekins.
More Single Serve and Small Batch Apple Recipes
Explore our selection of single serving and small batch apple recipes:
- Baked Apples – Warm, spiced apples with a soft, tender texture.
- Mini Dutch Apple Pie – A classic apple pie in a perfectly portioned size.
- Applesauce – Easy homemade applesauce with just a few ingredients.
- Apple Pie Oatmeal – A hearty breakfast with the flavors of apple pie.
RELATED: Cooking For One – Simple Tips For Solo Cooking
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serving apple crisp or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Easy Apple Crisp For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 medium apple -peeled, cored and diced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons old fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons salted butter -softened
Instructions
Make the filling
- Heat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Mix together the chopped apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small bowl.
- Transfer the apples to a 10-ounce ramekin.
Make the topping
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut the softened butter into small pieces and add them to the bowl. Blend in the butter using a fork or your fingers and mix until well combined.
- Scatter the topping evenly over the apples. Place the ramekin on a small rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until apples are soft and the topping is golden.
Notes
-
- Choose a Ripe Apple: A ripe apple gives the best flavor and natural sweetness.
-
- Make It Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for almond flour or a gluten-free blend.
-
- Prevent Spills: Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips.
-
- Avoid Over-Browning: If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil while baking.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Great recipe for those last couple of apples left in the bag.
I found the amount of topping in the 2X recipe too much, and a bit dry so I used the 1X amounts and melted the butter first. Turned out perfect!
Another winner from this site. Only thing I changed was adding a splash of lemon juice because my apple was a very sweet variety. Perfection!
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed the crisp.
Easy and so delicious. 5 stars
Thank you!
Can u substitute corn starch for flour?
It should work, but I haven’t tested this recipe with cornstarch, so I’m unsure of the exact amount needed compared to flour.
Hi Joanie, unfortunately my husband passed away a few years ago & then you appeared. What a coincidence that I was going nuts trying to scale down my recipes, mostly unsuccessfully, and then YOU came along. I’ve made so many of your recipes, I rarely open my old cookbooks anymore, yours is all I need. Thank you for making my life more enjoyable. I cook meals again and enjoy eating again thanks to you. Bless you!
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, but I’m truly honored that my recipes have been able to bring a little bit of comfort and ease to your life. It means the world to me that you’ve found joy in cooking again, and I’m so grateful to be a part of that. Blessings to you, and thank you for sharing your story with me. Please know I’m always here if you ever have any questions or need more recipes.
Tried the Apple Crisp last night but my apple choice turned out to be to big. Left no room in the ramekin for the topping. A quick transfer to the 5″ dish solved the problem. Delicious.
I really enjoyed how easy and tasty this recipe was. A nice way to use up a tart apple!
It turned out perfect.
Very tasty! Will make again.