Description

A budget-friendly, single-serve apple crisp made in a small cast iron skillet with a brown butter oat streusel topping. It offers perfect portion control, minimal cleanup, and bakery-quality flavor for under $2.

Ingredients

Scale

2 medium apples (about 300g), peeled and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Peel, core, and slice apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. Toss with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside.
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Swirl occasionally until it foams, settles, and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (3-5 minutes). Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heat-proof bowl to stop cooking.
In a small bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the warm brown butter over the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until the mixture resembles wet sand with clumps.
Pour the apple mixture into a small cast iron skillet (6-inch) and spread evenly. Spoon the streusel topping over the apples.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the streusel is golden brown and apple juices are bubbling.
Let cool for 10 minutes to allow the filling to thicken before serving warm.

Notes

Brown butter is key for flavor but requires attention to prevent burning. Cold apples hold their shape better. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen unbaked for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven to restore crispiness. For gluten-free, use GF oats and flour. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 generous serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 28
Sodium: 150
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 4
Protein: 3

Keywords: single serve dessert, cast iron apple crisp, budget dessert, brown butter, oat streusel, easy baking, gluten-free option, dairy-free option