Apple Crisp with Homemade Granola Topping

Most people think of apple crisp as a cozy fall dessert, but in our house, with my recipe – it’s just a normal Tuesday breakfast.

Instead of a traditional buttery streusel topping, we bake sliced apples with cinnamon and sugar beneath a layer of homemade granola. The apples become soft and tender while the granola turns golden and crisp, making it perfect with a spoonful of yogurt on busy fall mornings.

Why We Love This Apple Crisp

I created this recipe as a fun fall-themed version of a berry crumble recipe I’ve made in the past, swapping out the berries for apples, but leaving the delicious, healthy granola topping.

If you’re anything like me, I struggle with breakfast. I want to feed my children something healthy, quick and convenient. This homemade apple crisp is a make-ahead meal that goes into the fridge and serves breakfast for my family for two mornings.

It’s sweet, but not overly sweet, topped with a high-fat vanilla yogurt is just hands down amazing. Plus – it reheats well so it’s an ideal make-ahead breakfast dish.

What Makes This Apple Crisp Different?

Traditional apple crisp uses a butter, flour and sugar streusel to make the crumbly crisp we all know and love.

My recipe uses a homemade granola with pantry staples that is healthier than the original and easier to make. My granola topping bakes into a lightly crisp layer and breaks into crunchy clusters when eating. This is a recipe that makes you feel good after eating. It tastes like a apple crisp, but you’re only getting high-fiber healthy foods.

Plus instead of ice-cream (which I guess you could pair it with), pair my homemade apple crisp with yogurt instead!

Ingredients

Like a traditional apple crisp, this recipe has two components – the filling and the granola topping.

Apple Filling

• Apples
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon juice
• Chia seeds

Homemade Granola Topping

• Rolled Oats
• Peanut butter
• Honey
• Egg
• Salt

How to Make Apple Crisp

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Peel, core and chop the apples into small 1/2″ cubes and place at the bottom of your casserole dish.

Don’t throw out your cores and peels, add them to a jar and make homemade apple cider vinegar in minutes.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

Add the sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon to the apples and mix well to coat the apple cubes. Once the apples are fully coated in the mixture, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of chia seeds on top. This adds more fiber and nutrients to your dish.

Step 3: Prepare the Homemade Granola

The next step is preparing the granola topping. Add the 3 heaping tablespoons of peanut butter and honey to a bowl and microwave until runny. Once warm, mix in the 2 cups of rolled oats, egg and salt. Mix until combined.

Step 4: Spread Granola Topping

Spread the homemade granola topping on top of the apple filling in your casserole dish.

Step 5: Bake

In a preheated oven, bake your apple crisp until the granola is browned/golden. Approximately 25 minutes at 350.

Step 6: Cool then Serve or Store

Remove from oven and allow it to cool. Serve immediately with a generous dollop of yogurt.

Or, once completely cooled, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the entire casserole dish if you’d like or reheat the apple crisp on plates until warm and serve with yogurt.

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

• Slice the apples small and evenly: The smaller the apples the more cooked they become and the juices give the crisp more flavour. Cutting them equally prevents uneven cooking times.
• Don’t overbake: The granola will become harder and less flavourful if overbaked. I recommended Putting a 23 minute timer on then checking your oven and see by the granola colour if your apple crisp is ready for not.
• Don’t skip out on the lemon! The lemon juice helps break down the apple while baking so it’s more moist and delicious.

How We Serve It

I’ve already shared that this is what I do for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt to enjoy it with. But there are other ways to enjoy this as well.

If you want to have it as a dessert, swap the yogurt for vanilla ice cream! It is still sweet and tasty enough for a dessert!

My husband even likes it cold straight from the fridge. So it could work as a midday snack or even stored in a glass container and packed in a lunch bag for school or work.

How to Store and Reheat

My main method is to store in the fridge with plastic wrap over the casserole dish, then reheat each individual plate.

You can also reheat the entire casserole in the oven. I would cover with tin-foil to prevent the granola from continuing to brown as you reheat it.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Apple Recipes

During apple season, you probably have more apples than you know what to do with. Here’s some ideas for you!

If you’re looking for more ways to use fresh apples this season, try our homemade applesauce, my beloved apple chips in a dehydrator, homemade apple cider vinegar, or apple fritter bread.

If you’re on a gardening preserving journey at home, you can explore all of our hands-on advice in our Garden Based Preserving, based on what actually works here on our homestead.

We are growing our website with more articles all the time, and we invite you to grow with us. If you have any questions about how to make this unique apple crisp at home or would like to share some of your knowledge with us please leave a comment below. Happy Gardening!