This easy stovetop apple crisp recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make and is perfect for serving with ice cream or yogurt. The honey and cinnamon make this recipe the ultimate fall dessert!

Why you will love this recipe
Super easy. This stovetop apple crisp is a perfect recipe for the beginning home cook.
The only thing you have to do is make the caramelized apples and the crumbly oat topping.
Easily adjustable. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can easily adjust the amount and taste.
That makes this stovetop apple crisp the perfect dessert for a large group!
Gluten-free. Oats are naturally gluten-free, so people with gluten intolerance can also enjoy this dish.
Just make sure the oat flakes you buy are truly gluten-free. This is because, during the production process, they can come into contact with gluten.
Perfect fall flavors. The warm flavor of the cinnamon and the sweet apples and honey are my favorite fall flavors.
Kids LOVE it. Children like the warm apples, and this dessert is also great fun to make together!
Let them preferentially assemble the dessert by scooping the cooled apples, crisp topping, and whipped cream into bowls.
It's the perfect recipe to use up apples.
You only need a few ingredients. Plus, it's also ingredients you probably already have on hand, like apples, oat flakes, and sugar.
Ingredients
Apple - I like to use a sweet apple like Elstar or Honeycrisp when I make this recipe. That way, you don't have to add too much sugar.
If you like this recipe, you should check out my recipe for caramelized apples!
Oats - for this recipe, you need oat flakes. These flakes stay nice and crispy during baking.
Honey - honey gives a mildly sweet flavor to the dish. You can omit the honey or replace it with maple syrup for a vegan apple crisp.
Sugar - to help caramelize the apples and crisp up the topping, add a little brown sugar.
The brown sugar also gives the dessert a rich caramel flavor.
Butter - butter gives the dessert extra flavor and helps to soften the apples. You can make the butter at home if you want to take your dish to the next level.
Lemon juice - lemon juice helps balance the sweetness of the apples and caramel. I recommend using fresh lemon juice for the best result.
How to make apple crisp in a skillet
The crispy oat topping
You start by making the oat topping. Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the cinnamon, brown sugar, and oat flakes.
Cook the oats for about four minutes until the sugar is melted and the oats are nice and golden brown.
Spoon the oat topping onto a plate and let it cool completely.
The caramelizes apples
Now put the rest of the butter in the pan, and once the butter is melted, add the apples. Cook the diced apple for two minutes.
Add the sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice and simmer gently until the apples are soft and the sugar has caramelized.
Divide the warm apples among the bowls and spoon some oat topping on top.
Serve warm with some ice cream or yogurt.
What to serve it with
I love to serve some whipped cream or ice cream with the warm apples but if you want to make your dessert a little healthier, you can replace the cream with Greek yogurt.
Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need a large skillet, a plate to cool the topping, and a measuring cup.
Storage
Stovetop apple crisp you can make in advance. It stays good in the refrigerator for about five days.
I do recommend storing the topping and apple separately. This keeps the oat topping nice and crisp.
You can also freeze it but keep in mind that the topping will become softer.
More easy dessert recipes
Easy stovetop apple crisp
This easy stovetop apple crisp recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make and is perfect for serving with ice cream or yogurt. The honey and cinnamon make this recipe the ultimate fall dessert!
Ingredients
For the oat topping
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
For the warm apples
- 4 large apples
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon brwn sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
The crispy oat topping
- You start by making the oat topping. Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the cinnamon, brown sugar, and oat flakes.
- Cook this for about four minutes until the sugar is melted and the oats are nice and golden brown.
- Spoon the oat topping onto a plate and let it cool completely.
The warm apples
- Add the rest of the butter to the pan, and once the butter is melted, add the apples.
- Cook the diced apple for about two minutes.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice and simmer gently until the apples are soft and the sugar has caramelized.
- Divide the warm apples among the bowls and spoon some oat topping on top.
- Serve warm with some ice cream or yogurt.
Erik says
Love all the cozy spices. So easy to make too!
Andrea says
Love all the warm spices and delicious flavors in this apple crisp.
Suja md says
Delicious yet simple recipe that the whole family loved. Can’t wait to make it again!
Holley says
I could eat this dessert all the time! So easy, quick, and delicious!
Kechi says
This apple crisp is calling my name; I love that it can be made on a stovetop. I have bookmarked it to try next week!