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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.
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“SO GOOD. If you’re debating making this… just do it.”
– Ella
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made with one apple and a few pantry staples.
- 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.
I love this apple crisp because it’s warm, comforting, and so easy to make. The apples turn tender and sweet, and the crisp topping bakes up golden and buttery. It’s just the right size for one, and it always hits the spot when I want a simple dessert that feels homemade and special.
Looking for more ways to use a single apple? Try our mini Apple Cake, lightly spiced Apple Cobbler for one, caramelized Fried Apples, or rustic mini Apple Galette.
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 small batch 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 small batch brown sugar recipe.
- Rolled Oats: Give the topping its crisp texture. Quick oats work but create a softer topping. Leftover oats? Use them in small batch oatmeal bars, small batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or Baked Oatmeal for one.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
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.
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 Small Batch Apple Recipes
Explore our selection of small batch apple recipes:
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.
I saw this recipe in a recent email, but when I decided to make it I remembered that I had your “Cooking for One” cookbook and found a recipe for Apple Crisp in it. It wasn’t until after I made the one from the book I realized how different it is from this one online! There are no oats in the book recipe among other things, and it doesn’t look or taste anything like a crisp when done. Before I try another book recipe, I guess I’ll have to check here first.
Many of the recipes we created for the Simon and Schuster cookbook are different than the ones on our website. Are you giving 3 stars to the cookbook recipe or to the online recipe?
I haven’t tried the online recipe yet. My 3 stars was for the cookbook recipe, plus being a little frustrated with the differences. The cookbook recipe was more like a “compote” than a crisp. I still plan to try other recipes, but I I’ll just have to “double check” them, I guess.
I used half rhubarb and half apple, added a squeeze of fresh lemon to topping, and there weren’t any left overs.. recipe was a hit. Thanks for sharing!
Apple crisp for one, ease take note that your metric/us measurements on sugar and flour varies greatly when interchanged. 1 tablespoon suddenly becomes 1 teaspoon. But other tablespoon ingredients stay tablespoon when interchanging between US measurements and Metric. (LOVE your recipes) Regards.
I used the measurements exactly as shown and everything turned out perfect..
This is the perfectly little sweet treat after a long day at work. And drizzling it with some sea salt caramel sauce brings it over the top; definitely added to my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds real easy and will try
What can I substitute in place of the oats?
You can make an oat-free topping by mixing together 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of softened butter in a small bowl and scattering it over the top of the chopped apples. Feel free to add ⅛ of a teaspoon of cinnamon to the mix.
I used the recipe in my 2.qt air Fryer. Covered ramekin with foil and baked at 350 for ten minutes. Checked it and kept going for another 10 minutes. I then uncovered and watched the top brown. It was yummy.
Love this recipe. Tried it today but made it in a square glass baking dish and made the recipe 4x bigger. It turned out perfect. My family loved it too.
Great recipe.
I wanted something sweet but not overly sweet. This was perfect. Just enough for me. I did not feel stuffed either. Great recipe.