Enjoy the comforting flavors of this classic autumnal dish with an easy recipe for one.
Usually, I get the idea to make apple crisp when I need a way to use up a big bounty of apples, like after a trip to the orchard. But sometimes, when I really get a craving for something, I find a way to satisfy it at home, bounty of apples or not. So with just one apple in my kitchen, I conjured up this recipe for a single serving of apple crisp, which provides all the comforting autumnal flavors of this dessert in a small but mighty format.
It’s quite similar to a regular recipe for apple crisp, just with reduced amounts of classic ingredients like sugar, flour, and rolled oats, plus spiced with cozy cinnamon flavors. And instead of a baking dish, you can simply use a large ramekin. It’ll need 30 minutes in the oven so that the apple pieces can get sweet and soft and the topping can get nice and crispy. Once you give it a little time to cool, you’ll be ready to enjoy your apple crisp for one with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Best apples to use for apple crisp
There are endless varieties of apples out there. Some are fantastic for baking, and others are best enjoyed fresh. So which are which?
For baking, you’re going to want to use apples that are slightly tart and hold their shape well. This tartness will evolve to become more sweet as the apples cook, and their firmness will keep the apples from becoming too mushy. Some of these apple varieties include Golden Delicious, Cortland, Braeburn, Northern Spy, Fuji, Pippin, and Honeycrisp.
Now, onto what to avoid. You’re going to want to stay away from McIntosh apples, which provide great flavor but break down very easily, resulting in an applesauce-like texture. Red Delicious and Michigan Sunrise apples should also be avoided, as their flavor is a bit too mild, and they take on a mealy texture when baked. Gala and Mutsu apples have a decent amount of flavor to them but become grainy once baked.
In the late summer and fall, when apples are in season, I like to try to get my apples from an orchard or farmers’ market. When in doubt about whether or not a certain apple variety is good for baking, ask! Chances are high that the people growing the apples are experts and able to advise you on exactly what to use for your baking endeavors.
How to store leftovers
Since this recipe is designed to make just one serving of apple crisp, I usually don’t have leftovers. But if you happen to, rest assured, they can keep pretty easily. Simply store any leftovers in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat the crisp, you can do so in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Serving suggestions
For me, nothing pairs quite as well with apple crisp as a scoop of ice cream. Vanilla is classic, of course, but you could also try other options like this Brown Sugar Ice Cream or this No-Churn Coffee Ice Cream. If you want to get really festive, you could try making this Pumpkin Whipped Cream, which would be great with so many other autumnal sweet treats too, like an Apple Butter Pie or Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.
Single-Serving Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For Apple Mixture:
- 1 medium apple peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 2 pinches ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Topping:
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- Pinch of salt
For Serving:
- Ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
To Make The Apple Mixture:
- In a small bowl, mix the chopped apple, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Place the apple mixture into a small baking dish or ramekin.
To Make The Topping:
- Combine the all-purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, softened butter, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix until the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake the crisp for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
For Serving:
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve topped with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Leave a Comment