Easy Strawberry Apple Crisp

This no-fuss strawberry apple crisp is made with fresh strawberries and diced apples topped with a simple one-bowl brown sugar crumble topping! Serve this crowd-pleasing dessert with a scoop of ice cream for an easy sweet treat!

As a busy mom of three, I love making easy desserts that feed a crowd and are simple to serve. This strawberry apple crisp meets all the criteria. It has all the delicious flavors of an apple pie mixed with strawberries but with a simple crumble topping.

Fresh sweet strawberries add a pop of flavor and a roasted-like flavor that complements the apples. Come late spring, my kids love strawberry picking, which means we’re making this easy strawberry crisp, strawberry cookies, and strawberry cinnamon rolls.

In just 1 hour, you can make the brown sugar crisp topping, mix the filling and bake the crisp. It’s a win-win dessert.

Let’s get baking!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick Prep: This easy strawberry apple dessert takes only 15 minutes to prepare using one bowl for the filling and a food processor for the topping (easy cleanup!).
• Crowd-friendly dessert: This foolproof crisp is great for entertaining. It’s baked into a large baking pan and spooned into dishes for serving.
• Versatile: The best part about making crisp (besides the delicious crumbly topping) is its versatility. You can mix and match fruits and flavors without worrying about exact measurements for the filling (just like strawberry peach crisp)!

Ingredients You'll Need

• All-purpose flour. The key ingredient in the crisp topping. It helps holds everything together and gives crisp its crumbly texture.
• Light brown sugar. Adds sweetness to the topping. Because of its higher moisture content than granulated sugar, brown sugar helps prevent the topping from drying out. The molasses in the brown sugar also helps with the browning of the crisp topping.
• Oats. Add a slightly chewy texture and a nutty flavor to the crisp topping. Use old-fashioned oats for the ideal texture. Using quick oats will produce a softer texture.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg. Adds flavor to the crisp topping. Feel free to add more or less according to your preferences.
• Butter. Adds moisture and a delicious rich flavor to the topping. When mixed with the rest of the ingredients, butter brings everything together. Cold butter slows the melting process during baking, which helps keep a crumbly crisp texture while the filling cooks.
• Apples. Use your favorite baking apple. Use a combination of tart and sweet apples for a delicious flavor.
• Strawberries. Fresh seasonal strawberries work best for this recipe. Ensure they are not overripe or mushy, or they can create a soggy crisp. If fresh strawberries are unavailable, use frozen ones that are completely thawed and strained from excess liquid.
• Granulated sugar. Adds sweetness to the fruit filling and helps to draw out the moisture from the strawberries and apples for a delicious syrup-like consistency.
• Cornstarch. Acts as a thickening agent for the fruit filling. I prefer cornstarch to flour because it produces a clear filling compared to flour, which can become cloudy. Ensure your filling is bubbling for the cornstarch to thicken the filling properly.
• Lemon zest and juice. Add flavor to the fruit filling and balances out the sweetness.

The Best Apples For Baking Crisp

The are many apples to choose from, but some work better for baking than others. Selecting an apple that holds its structure and doesn’t become mush is ideal for pies and crisps. Here’s a list of apples that work well for strawberry apple crisp.

Fuji. A juicy and crispy apple with a honey-sweet flavor. 

Braeburn. A crunchy and juicy apple with a mix of tart and sweet flavors.

Honeycrisp. A versatile apple and favorite for desserts. It has a sweet flavor with a hint of honey.

Jonagold. This fall apple has the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavor with a crunchy texture.
Granny Smith. A tart apple that pairs well with any of the above apples but is also delicious on its own.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Butter a 3-quart baking dish (8x11-inch deep pan) and preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C.

Note: Place the crisp topping into the refrigerator or freezer while preparing the filling to keep the butter cold! The colder the butter, the better for a crispy topping!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

As a trained pastry chef, I’ve learned that these essential tips set you up for success in baking crisps.

• Select seasonal fruit. Fresh, seasonal strawberries yield the best flavor. Select berries that are bright red, firm, and fresh green stems.
• Freeze crisp topping. Once the topping is mixed, place it in the freezer (or refrigerate) while you prepare the filling to keep the butter cold!
• Taste the filling. Before adding the filling to the baking dish, taste for sweetness and adjust according to your preferences. During winter, strawberries are less sweet than seasonal strawberries and may need additional sugar.
• Evenly distribute the filling. Spread the strawberry apple filling into an even layer to ensure even baking.
• Completely cool before storing. Allow this easy crisp to come to room temperature before covering it to prevent it from becoming soggy.

Recipe Variations

• Incorporate nuts into the topping. Add up to 1/2 cup of your favorite chopped nuts to the topping. Place into the food processor with the dry ingredients.
• Make it gluten-free. Replace the crisp topping with a gluten-free option from this rhubarb pear crisp.
• Serve with ice cream. Add a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream to each serving. For the perfect combination, serve the strawberry apple crisp warmed.

Recipe Substitutions

Because crisp is so versatile, you can easily make substitutions without worrying about affecting the overall outcome of the dessert. Here are some ideas:

• Alternate fruit options. Use your favorite berries or a combination of your favorite berries for the strawberries. You can also omit the strawberries and replace them with an equal amount of apples. During the summer, cherries would make a delicious combination with apples, similar to my peach cherry crisp.
• Replace the oats. Substitute the oats with 3/4 cup oat-free granola or toasted coconut flakes. Not only will these options add additional flavor, but they will add a crispy texture.
• Use fresh orange. Orange zest and fresh squeezed orange juice work well in place of the lemon zest and juice.

Storage Tips

This apple and strawberry crumble is best enjoyed fresh from the oven while the fruit is warm and the topping is crispy. The topping will soften over time, but here’s how to store this crisp:

• In the refrigerator. Store leftover crisp covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• In the freezer. Place the leftover fruit dessert into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
• Make ahead. Make the crisp topping ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or store in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Add the topping to the filling and bake without thawing.

Reheat: Re-warm strawberry apple crisp in a preheated 350°F/177°C oven to warm it evenly and ensure the topping is crispy and not soggy. Bake until the filling is warmed through and bubbly.

FAQ

Please leave a starred rating and comment below if you make this Strawberry Apple Crisp. I love reading your feedback! And if you’d like to make this recipe later, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest! Happy Baking!

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