This Apple Cranberry Oat Crumble Recipe (Apple Crisp) includes tangy Granny Smith apples and cranberries that cook down perfectly tender under a salty sweet, crunchy oat topping. This cozy cranberry apple crisp is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's the perfect dessert for a last-minute get together because it can even be made completely in the microwave, if needed!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy.
I adapted this crisp recipe from a very old magazine clipping and upgraded it to include salt for a more balanced flavor in the filling and oat topping. You could even add lemon juice and zest if you like a citrus note, or add vanilla in the filling to bring out the sweetness even further. I started making this apple cranberry crumble recipe, or apple crisp, every year for Friendsgiving in college. It is always a hit, especially when eaten warm with vanilla ice cream. But it is such an easy, quick dessert that I have started making it regularly for other holidays, or even just for my husband and I on a weeknight. It would be very easy to half the recipe if you are making it for yourself and want just a few servings.
One of my favorite things about this dessert, is how quickly and easily it comes together, because sometimes you need a dessert without too much hassle. My other favorite hassle-free desserts are my dairy-free panna cotta and guava sorbet.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- This is a great last-minute dessert, because it can even be made in the microwave.
- The sweet crumble balances out the tart cranberries.
- This apple cranberry crisp can be made in one large dish or in single-serving ramekins.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour is the base for the crumble topping.
- Light brown sugar sweetens the crumble topping and helps it develop a golden brown color.
- Unsalted butter adds richness to the crumble.
- Oats add a nice bite to the dish.
- Apples are the main fruit in the filling. Just like apple pie, you want to use a tart apple that can hold up to cooking. I prefer using Granny Smith apples, but any apples on the tart side will work too. Sweet apples will work, but they are more prone to breaking down into mush if cooked too long.
- Cranberries add tartness to the fruit filling. I like to use fresh or frozen cranberries, but dried cranberries can be substituted. Dried would make the filling a tad sweeter, so I recommend lowering the amount of sugar just a bit.
- Ground cinnamon flavors the filling and complements the apple.
- Kosher salt balances the overall flavor profile.
Substitutions and variations
Here's how to customize this cranberry apple crumble to your liking:
Save this recipe! ✉️
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
- Citrus — Add lemon juice and zest or orange juice and zest to the fruit mixture.
- No oats — leave out the oats in the crumble topping.
- No cranberries — omit the cranberries or replace them with another berry like blackberry or cherries.
- Nuts — add toasted and chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds to the crumble topping.
- Spices — Most warm spices pair beautifully with apple. Consider adding more, like cardamom, clove and even a little black pepper.s
- Baking pan — this can be made in individual ramekins, a 2-quart baking dish or a large cast-iron skillet.
- Garnishes — salted caramel would be a great garnish for this perfect crumble.
How to make apple cranberry crumble
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. This recipe can also be made using the microwave* (see notes). Core and peel apples. Cut in half, turn halves on their flat sides and slice ¼-inch thick slices. Cut those in half. Repeat until all apples have been pared.
Step 2: Combine apples, cranberries, sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl (use a microwave-safe 2 quart baking dish if cooking in the microwave). Stir these ingredients in the large mixing bowl until all of the apple pieces are thoroughly coated.
Step 3: In a medium separate bowl, combine the ½ cup flour and brown sugar. Whisk well. Cut in the cold butter pieces with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and mix well.
Step 4: Spoon filling into oven-safe ramekins or a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the filling. Bake for 35-40 minutes (or longer for a larger dish) in the oven. Let cool for 15 minutes before topping with vanilla ice cream and serving. *If using the microwave, cook on high for 12-14 minutes. Poke a larger apple piece with a fork to ensure they are soft. If pieces are still giving some resistance, keep microwaving until the apples can be easily pierced with a fork.
Hot tips
- To prep the apples faster, use a food processor with the slicing blade.
- Be sure to use tart apples because they hold up to being cooked without turning to mush, and they balance the overall sweet profile.
- Make sure you cut your apples on the smaller side. This crumble is best if the apple pieces are all similar in size and cooked all the way through.
Recipe FAQs
Just like apple pie, you want to use tart apples that can hold up to cooking. I prefer using Granny Smith apples, but any apples on the tart side will work too, like pink lady, jazz or honeycrisp apples.
Yes, if using the microwave, cook on high for 12-14 minutes. Poke a larger apple piece with a fork to ensure they are soft. If pieces are still giving some resistance, keep microwaving until the apples can be easily pierced with a fork.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
If you want to use melted butter, be sure to chill the crumble in the refrigerator until firm before using. Break apart with a fork into crumbles after chilling.
Lastly, if you make this Apple Cranberry Oat Crumble Recipe (Apple Crisp) recipe be sure to leave a comment or give it a rating. I love to see when people make my recipes, so please tag me @youthsweets on Instagram if you post!
📖 Recipe
Apple Cranberry Crumble
Ingredients
Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (68g)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (112g) packed
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (77g) chilled and cut in ¼-inch cubes
- ¾ cup old fashioned or quick oats (85g)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Filling
- 4 medium Granny Smith apples (1 ½ lbs)
- 1 ½ cups cranberries (150g) fresh or frozen
- ½ cup granulated sugar (110g)
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. This recipe can also be made using the microwave* (see notes).
Make the filling
- Core and peel apples. Cut in half, turn halves on their flat sides and slice ¼-inch thick slices. Cut those in half. Repeat until all apples have been pared.
- Combine apples, cranberries, sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon and salt in a bowl (use a microwave-safe 2 quart baking dish if cooking in the microwave).
Make the topping
- In a medium bowl, combine the ½ cup flour and brown sugar. Whisk well. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and mix well.
Assemble
- Spoon filling into oven-safe ramekins or a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes (or longer for a larger dish) in the oven.
- Let cool for 15 minutes before topping with vanilla ice cream and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published 01/26/2022. Updated 03/16/2025.
