Irresistibly Easy Strawberry Apple Crisp: Your Go-To Dessert for Any Season

Prepare to fall in love with this spectacular **Strawberry Apple Crisp**! This isn’t just any dessert; it’s a vibrant celebration of fresh fruit, crowned with a perfectly crunchy, golden brown sugar oat crumble. Whether you call it a crisp or a crumble (depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re on!), its irresistible combination of juicy strawberries and crisp apples makes it an instant classic. Best of all, this easy recipe comes together in a mere 15 minutes of active preparation time, requiring only 12 simple ingredients. It’s essentially a foolproof baking project that promises delicious results every time, perfect for a quick weeknight treat or a delightful gathering.

While a classic fruit pie holds a special place in our hearts, sometimes you need a dessert that delivers incredible flavor without the extensive effort and time. This is precisely where the humble yet magnificent crisp shines! Think of this Strawberry Apple Crisp as the ideal summer counterpart to a cozy pear and apple crisp enjoyed in the autumn. It’s a versatile dessert that transitions beautifully through seasons, using readily available fresh fruit and pantry staples. The simplicity of the ingredients belies the complexity of flavor in every spoonful.

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Why You’ll Adore This Strawberry Apple Crisp Recipe

There are countless reasons why this particular strawberry apple crisp stands out as a must-try dessert. It’s a delightful fusion of taste, texture, and convenience that will quickly become a household favorite. Here’s what makes it so special:

• Lightning-Fast Preparation: You only need about 15 minutes of hands-on time to assemble this simple dessert, making it perfect for busy schedules or spontaneous cravings.
• Perfectly Balanced Fruit Filling: Experience the succulent sweetness of fresh strawberries perfectly complemented by the crisp tartness of Granny Smith apples. These fruits are tossed with just the right amount of cornstarch, sugar, and vanilla extract to create a juicy, flavorful filling that holds its shape beautifully. The cornstarch is key here, preventing the filling from becoming watery and ensuring every bite is rich and satisfying.
• Irresistible Crumble Topping: The star of any crisp is its topping, and this one doesn’t disappoint! It features softened unsalted butter expertly mixed with all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, hearty rolled oats, and a warming blend of cinnamon and ginger. This combination bakes into a deeply golden, incredibly crunchy streusel that provides a fantastic textural contrast to the soft fruit below.
• Ideal for Sharing: This delightful summer dessert is baked in a deep-dish pie plate, making it an excellent choice for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to serve a comforting and crowd-pleasing treat. Its generous size ensures there’s enough to go around, especially when paired with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Ingredient Notes: Choose the Best for Your Crisp

Using quality ingredients is crucial for achieving the best flavor and texture in your strawberry apple crisp. Here’s a detailed look at the key components and how to select them:

• Strawberries: For the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness, prioritize using fresh, in-season strawberries. When strawberries are at their peak, they offer an unparalleled juiciness and aroma that elevates the entire dessert. While this recipe hasn’t been tested with frozen strawberries, if you opt to use them, be sure to thaw them first and drain any excess liquid to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
• Apples: I specifically recommend Granny Smith apples for this crisp. Their firm texture holds up beautifully during baking, preventing them from becoming mushy, and their wonderfully tart flavor provides a perfect balance to the sweetness of the strawberries and brown sugar topping. You could also experiment with Honeycrisp or Braeburn for a slightly sweeter, yet still firm, alternative.
• Sugar: We use two types of sugar for a reason. White granulated sugar is mixed with the fruit to enhance its natural sweetness without adding a molasses flavor, keeping the fruit pure and bright. Light brown sugar is incorporated into the crumble topping, lending a rich, caramelly depth and a slightly chewier texture to the oats, creating that signature crisp flavor.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is used in both the crisp topping and, in a small amount, to lightly coat the fruit filling. In the topping, it provides structure and helps create that desirable crumbly texture. In the fruit, it aids the cornstarch in thickening the juices.
• Cornstarch: This is a critical ingredient for the filling. It acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the fruit juices become a luscious, syrupy consistency rather than a runny liquid. This creates a wonderfully cohesive and “juicy” filling that clings to the fruit. Without it, your crisp might be a watery disappointment!
• Oats: Always opt for whole rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) for the topping. These oats provide a fantastic chewiness and a robust, nutty flavor that is essential for a great crisp. Avoid quick-cooking oats, which can become mushy, and steel-cut oats, which won’t soften enough during the baking process to achieve the desired texture.
• Butter: I consistently use unsalted European-style butter in my baking. Its higher fat content contributes to a richer flavor and a more tender, flavorful crumble topping. Using cold, cubed butter for the topping is key to achieving that perfectly crumbly, rather than cakey, texture.
• Spices: Ground cinnamon and a touch of ground ginger add warmth and depth to the crumble topping, beautifully complementing the fruit flavors without overpowering them.

How to Make This Easy Strawberry Apple Crisp

Making this delightful dessert is straightforward and comes with great rewards. Follow these simple steps for a perfect crisp every time:

Step 1: Prepare the Irresistible Crumble Topping. In a medium bowl, combine your rolled oats with the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly. Next, add your cold, cubed unsalted butter. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, work the butter into the dry ingredients. The goal is to break down the butter into pea-sized crumbs, thoroughly coating the dry mixture. Continue this process for a few minutes until all the dry ingredients are moistened and the mixture comes together in large, sandy clumps. Once achieved, place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the fruit filling. This step helps ensure a perfectly crispy topping.

Step 2: Create the Juicy Fruit Filling. In a large bowl, combine your freshly sliced or quartered strawberries and chopped Granny Smith apples. To these beautiful fruits, add the white sugar, cornstarch, kosher salt, and vanilla extract. Gently toss all the ingredients together until the fruit is evenly coated. The cornstarch and sugar will work their magic during baking to create a thick, flavorful syrup.

Step 3: Assemble Your Crisp. Begin by lightly buttering a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. This not only prevents sticking but also adds a subtle hint of flavor. Carefully pour your prepared fruit filling into the pie dish. Use a spoon or your hands to gently spread the fruit into an even layer, ensuring there are no significant gaps. An even layer promotes consistent baking.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection. Retrieve your chilled crisp topping from the fridge. Evenly sprinkle the crumbly mixture over the fruit filling, ensuring every bit of fruit is covered. This even distribution is key for a consistent crunch in every bite. Place the pie plate in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 40-45 minutes. Keep an eye on the topping; if it starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the dish to prevent over-browning while the fruit continues to cook and bubble. The crisp is ready when the streusel topping is golden brown and the fruit juices are visibly bubbling around the edges. Allow the crisp to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period helps the juices set and prevents any unfortunate burns. For the ultimate indulgence, serve warm with a generous scoop of cold vanilla ice cream!

Essential Recipe Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Crisp

Achieving a consistently perfect crisp is easy with a few expert tips. Here’s how to ensure your Strawberry Apple Crisp is always a showstopper:

• I highly recommend using a weighing scale and measuring out your ingredients the metric way. Baking is a science, and precise measurements make a huge difference, leading to more accurate and consistent results.
• Monitor your crisp’s progress about halfway through baking. If you notice the topping is turning a rich golden brown too quickly, simply cover the top loosely with aluminum foil. This acts as a shield, preventing the streusel from burning while allowing the fruit underneath to continue cooking to tender perfection.
• When mixing your topping ingredients, remember that even distribution of butter is key. Take your time to rub the cold butter into the dry ingredients until there aren’t any dry spots and it resembles coarse crumbs. This ensures a consistent, crunchy texture throughout the entire topping.
• If you’re preparing your fruit ahead of time or if the chopped apples begin to show signs of browning (oxidation), a quick fix is to drizzle some fresh lemon juice over them. The acidity of the lemon juice will prevent discoloration and add a lovely bright note to the fruit filling.
• For the best possible flavor, I strongly suggest making this recipe when strawberries are in season. Out-of-season strawberries tend to be less juicy, less sweet, and generally lack the vibrant flavor that truly makes this crisp shine.
• Want an extra crunchy oat topping? For an added layer of texture and nutty flavor, consider incorporating up to ⅓ cup of finely chopped nuts (like pecans, walnuts, or almonds) into your streusel mixture. This simple addition elevates the crumble to new heights.
• Don’t overmix the crumble. While you want the butter distributed, stop once it reaches a crumbly, clumpy texture. Overmixing can warm the butter too much, leading to a less distinct crumble.
• Allow for proper cooling time. While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, letting the crisp cool for at least 5-10 minutes allows the fruit juices to set and thicken, resulting in a more cohesive and enjoyable filling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Apple Crisp

Explore More Delicious Fruit Recipes Next!

If you’ve enjoyed the sweet and tangy delight of this Strawberry Apple Crisp, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic fruit-filled baking ideas. Perfect for any occasion, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings for fresh, fruity goodness:

Have you made this delightful Strawberry Apple Crisp recipe? I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @alpineellaand please leave a review below to share your thoughts. Your feedback helps other home bakers. If you’re looking for more delicious baking ideas and inspiration, you can always follow me on Pinterest for a daily dose of sweet treats!

Recipe

Strawberry Apple Crisp

Ella Gilbert

Fresh and juicy strawberry apple crisp with a cinnamon ginger oat streusel topping.

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 306 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  1 9″ deep dish pie plate

Ingredients

 

 

Streusel Topping

• ▢ ½ cup light brown sugar
• ▢ 1 cup rolled oats
• ▢ ½ cup all purpose flour
• ▢ 1 stick unsalted butter cold, cubed
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ▢ pinch salt

Filling

• ▢ 4 cups strawberries sliced or quartered
• ▢ 3 cups granny smith apples peeled, cored and cubed
• ▢ 3 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ ¼ cup white sugar
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C. Butter a 9-inch deep dish pie plate.
• Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, oats and brown sugar together in a large jug or medium bowl. Add in your cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to rub the butter until it is very crumbly and everything is moistened. Place in the fridge while you prepare the filling
• In a large bowl, mix all of your filling ingredients together and toss.
• Spread the filling out into an even layer of your dish. Make sure there are no gaps! Sprinkle over your topping mixture evenly.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes. If it gets too brown, place some foil on top. The juices should be bubbling and the streusel top should be golden.
• Allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

My recipes have been developed and tested in metric grams. I highly recommend using a weighing scale and measuring out your ingredients the metric way. Just click on ‘Metric’ above the ingredient list.

Butter: I use European style butter, like Kerry Gold, in my recipes. 

Salt: If you don’t have kosher salt, halve the amount of salt called for in the recipe. 1 teaspoon kosher salt = ½ teaspoon fine salt.

Storage: Keep the strawberry crisp covered and in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 80mg
Potassium: 231mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 28g
Vitamin A: 388IU
Vitamin C: 45mg
Calcium: 38mg
Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @alpineella so I can see what you made!