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Lighter Brown Butter Apple Crisp with Oat Streusel

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A lighter, healthier twist on classic apple crisp featuring nutty brown butter, tender apples, and a crunchy oat streusel topping. This crowd-pleasing dessert uses less sugar and whole-grain oats for a satisfying treat that feels indulgent but won’t weigh you down.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 1/4-inch thick) — a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven.
  2. Brown the butter for the filling: In a light-colored skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Swirl occasionally until it foams, then the foam subsides and tiny brown specks appear (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat immediately and pour into a small bowl to stop cooking.
  3. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and slice apples into even 1/4-inch thick slices. Toss with the browned butter, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt until well coated.
  4. Brown the butter for the streusel: In the same skillet, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Swirl and watch for amber color and nutty aroma (about 5-6 minutes). Pour into a heatproof bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
  5. Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, coconut sugar, nuts (if using), cinnamon, and salt. Pour the cooled browned butter over the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until moistened and clumps form.
  6. Assemble the crisp: Pour the apple mixture into a greased 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples without pressing down.
  7. Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crisp. If the topping browns too quickly, tent with foil after 25 minutes.
  8. Cool before serving: Let the crisp cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the filling to set.

Notes

For the best texture, use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. Old-fashioned rolled oats are essential for a crispy topping; quick oats will become mushy. Let the crisp cool completely before covering for storage to keep the topping crispy. For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats and a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For a dairy-free version, substitute with high-quality vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, oat streusel, lighter dessert, fall dessert, healthy apple crisp, whole grain

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/lighter-brown-butter-apple-crisp-with-oat-streusel-recipe/