We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (2024)

Put together this simple and delicious Pioneer Woman apple crisp for the ultimate comfort dessert!

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

When it comes to dessert, I will happily pour hours of time and plenty of effort into elaborate treats (like this choux au craquelin). But sometimes, the simplest desserts end up being the best. And this Pioneer Woman apple crisp recipe proves that!

Piled high with a layer of juicy, delicious apples and a crunchy topping, this apple crisp won’t last long. There’s plenty of flavor jam-packed in every bite, and the texture is divine. Serve it up warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.

It’s so good, I guarantee you’ll finish the entire dish!

How to Make Pioneer Woman Apple Crisp

This recipe uses a few simple ingredients to dress up tart Granny Smith apples with sugar and spice. It only requires a few minutes of active prep time, and the rest of the work is left up to the oven.

Ingredients

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (1)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

For the apples:

  • 8 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup water

For the topping:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup quick oats
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 stick salted butter, melted

Tools You’ll Need

Step 1: Prepare the apples

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (5)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 35o°F. Grease a 9-in. by 13-in. baking dish with salted butter or cooking spray.

Place the sliced apples in the baking dish in an even layer. In a small mixing bowl, add the sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Mix to combine, and then sprinkle the mixture over the apples. Pour ½ cup of water over top.

Step 2: Make the topping

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (6)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Mix to combine. Add in the melted butter and stir with a large fork. Mix until clumps begin to form.

Step 3: Sprinkle the topping

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (7)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Sprinkle the topping over the apple layer. Be sure to evenly cover all of the apples.

Step 4: Time to bake!

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (8)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Bake the apple crisp at 350° for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crisp. Once baked, remove the apple crisp from the oven and serve warm. Top each serving with vanilla ice cream.

Looking for more apple crisp recipes? Learn how to make Ina Garten’s apple crisp.

Here’s What I Thought

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (9)Molly Allen for Taste of Home

No matter the season, you can’t go wrong with a fruit crisp. But there’s something that much better about an apple crisp in fall. This Pioneer Woman apple crisp is the ideal comfort dessert, especially served up warm with a scoop of ice cream. And while I have certainly made plenty of fruit crisps before, this recipe took things to a whole new level!

At first glance, it seemed like eight apples was a lot. However, it ended up being the perfect amount to dish up a hearty dessert. I did increase the amount of cinnamon to a full teaspoon, because I love the flavor it adds. Otherwise, this recipe was easy and entirely perfect without any other changes.

Plenty of apple crisp recipes are all about the topping. Who doesn’t love a good, crisp streusel, right? But all too often the apples aren’t as flavorful, and the dessert relies on the textured topping to make it interesting and delicious. But not this one! Every single bite of this apple crisp was incredible, with so much flavor coming from the Granny Smith apples as the perfect base. The crisp topping served as the ultimate complement to the dessert, with a play on texture in every bite. Flavorful soft apples give way to a bit of crunch, with the contrast of warm and cold making it all the more interesting once you add the ice cream. Truly, it’s an experience. And there will even be enough to share that experience with friends and family! If you’re looking for a healthier option, try this gluten-free apple crisp.

More Vintage Apple Desserts for Fall

1 / 47

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (10)

Oma's ApfelkuchenMy husband’s German family calls thisOma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to "Grandma’s apple cake." They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, OhioGo to Recipe

Taste of Home

Apple-Honey Dutch BabyI love to make this treat on Sunday morning. It's so impressive when it's served warm right out of the oven...and the apple honey filling is yummy! —Kathy Fleming, Lisle, Illinois

Go to Recipe

TMB Studio

Apple Dumpling BakeI received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana

Go to Recipe

Apple Fritter RingsThese old-fashioned fried apple rings are the perfect way to end a fun homemade meal. —Bernice Snowberger, Monticello, Indiana

Go to Recipe

Apple Brandy Pecan CakeMy favorite apple cake is made with a shot of brandy and drizzled with caramel to set off the wonderful flavors. If alcohol is a no-go, use orange juice instead of apple brandy. If you'd rather go the chocolate route, add mini chocolate chips to the cake and use chocolate ice cream topping for the drizzle. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Go to Recipe

Easy Pickled ApplesThese easy pickled apples are perfect alongside a pork entree or salad, or with a charcuterie cheese board. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Apple-Walnut Bread PuddingYou can throw everything but the kitchen sink into bread pudding. This recipe came about because I had stale bread and apples that needed to be used. No apples? Use dried fruit, such as cranberries or apricots. — Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Apple Betty with Almond CreamI love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Caramel Apple StrudelMy father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland

Go to Recipe

Slow-Cooker Apple Pudding CakeA satisfying dessert like this is a superb treat on a chilly night. It has three layers—apples, cake and sauce—and I like to serve it in a bowl. It's comfort food for the soul. —Ellen Schroeder, Reedsburg, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Apple PieI remember coming home sullen one day because we'd lost a softball game. Grandma, in her wisdom, suggested that maybe a slice of hot apple pie would make me feel better. She was right. —Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington

Go to Recipe

Slow-Cooker Baked ApplesComing home to this irresistible dessert on a dreary day is just wonderful; it’s slow-cooker easy. — Evangeline Bradford, Erlanger, Kentucky

Go to Recipe

Apple CobblerTreasured by my family, this easy recipe for old-fashioned apple cobbler is a delicious nostalgic dessert. It travels well and slices nicely, so it's perfect for picnics or tailgate parties. We like apples, but you can use your favorite fruit. —Rita Reifenstein, Evans City, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Apple TurnoversGive this traditional apple turnover recipe a try. It makes a dessert that's both tender and flaky, with apple pie-like filling and a thin, white glaze. I freeze the extra turnovers and warm them up in the microwave. They're great with coffee. —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Warm Cinnamon-Apple ToppingYou'll quickly warm up to the old-fashioned taste of this cinnamon-apple topping. Spoon it over vanilla ice cream or slices of pound cake. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina

Go to Recipe

Latkes are crispy fried pancakes, often made with potatoes. But this sweet version with apples, orange juice, cinnamon and vanilla falls in the dessert realm. —Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

Easy Apple CakeAfter testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, I found this old-fashioned easy apple cake that is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it's quick to fix, and when it's served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, it's one of my family’s very favorites. —Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio

Go to Recipe

Winning Apple CrispI live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Dutch Apple CakeMy husband and I came to Canada from Holland more than 40 years ago. This traditional Dutch recipe is a family favorite and has frequently gone along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario

Go to Recipe

Apple ButterI make several batches of this simple and delicious homemade apple butter recipe to freeze in jars. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, you can adjust the sugar to taste. —Betty Ruenholl, Syracuse, Nebraska

Go to Recipe

Dutch Oven Apple CobblerThis homey Dutch oven apple cobbler is always a big hit with my family. We like to serve it with ice cream or whipped cream. —Cindy Jajuga, Weed, California

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Upside-Down Apple PieThis pie has won eight ribbons at area fairs. People say it looks and tastes like a giant apple-cinnamon bun. I take time off from work around the holidays to fill pie requests from family and friends. The recipe has become everyone's favorite. —Susan Frisch, Germansville, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

The musical "Waitress"

German Apple CakeWith the long, cold winters we have here, this German apple cake recipe has warmed many a kitchen. The cake is perfect for breakfast, dessert or an evening snack. I've often made it for parties, and I've always received compliments on it. —Grace Reynolds, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Chunky ApplesauceThere's just something extra special about a homemade applesauce recipe like this one. This simple dish is tart and not too sweet. It makes the perfect side, especially with pork chops or a pork roast. —Deborah Amrine, Grand Haven, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Gran's Apple Cake

Gran's Apple CakeMy grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California

Go to Recipe

Swedish Apple PieThis decadent Swedish apple pie serves up homemade flavor in every bite. This is a perfect snack with coffee or as an after-dinner treat. —Sarah Klier, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Apple Dumplings with SauceThis warm and comforting apple dumplings recipe is incredible by itself or served with ice cream. You can decorate each dumpling by cutting 1-inch leaves and a 1/2-inch stem from the leftover dough. —Robin Lendon, Cincinnati, Ohio

Go to Recipe

Apple PandowdyThis apple pandowdy, which comes from a very old cookbook, is tangy and delicious. —Doreen Lindquist, Thompson, Manitoba

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Nutty Apple Streusel DessertMany people don't think of using a slow cooker to make dessert, but I like having this hot, scrumptious apple treat waiting to be served when we finish up our dinner. I start it in the morning and don't think about it all day. —Jacki Every, Rotterdam, New York

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Walnut Apple DessertThe neighbor who shared this recipe with me predicted that I'd serve it often, just as she has for more than 30 years. It's easy to put together and is wonderfully fruity. I like to serve it with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. —Diann Mallehan, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Apple Dumpling Roll-UpsA family friend gave me a simple way to make apple dumplings without lots of steps. I love the sticky cinnamon topping. —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Apple-Nut Bread PuddingTraditional bread pudding gives way to autumn's influences in this comforting dessert. I add apples and pecans to this slow-cooked version, then top warm servings with ice cream. —Lori Fox, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Apple Cornbread CrispWith its hearty ingredients and quick prep time, this warm apple crisp makes a smart dessert for any fall night. It reminds me of the recipe my grandmother would serve after our big family seafood dinners. It's absolutely wonderful topped with ice cream. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Go to Recipe

Breakfast Apple CakeBaked in a pretty tube pan and drizzled with icing, this breakfast cake will be a highlight of your holiday menu. I adapted the recipe from one of my grandmother's. —Shaunda Wenger, Nibley, Utah

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Cranberry Stuffed ApplesCinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts add a homey autumn flavor to these stuffed apples, while the slow cooker does most of the work. —Graciela Sandvigen, Rochester, New York

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Easy Apple StrudelMy family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, so I changed it up a bit. This revised classic is just as good as the original. It's best served warm from the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Apple Cider DoughnutsApple doughnuts remind me of family trips to South Dakota. We’d stop at Wall Drug for a dozen or so before camping in the Badlands. Maple glaze was and still is my favorite. Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh apple cider doughnut. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Delicious Apple SaladThis yummy fruit salad was a favorite of my great-grandmother’s. My family always enjoys it, and I’m happy knowing it’s good for them, too. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Glazed Apple Pie BarsThis is only one of many wonderful recipes that my mother handed down to me. With their flaky crust and scrumptious fruit filling, these delicious apple pie bars are the perfect way to serve apple pie to a crowd.—Janet English, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Nonni’s FritoleMy Italian grandmother was famous for her Fritole and made these treats for her family and friends. Years later we found her recipe card and tried making them without success for several years. We finally figured out the missing part of this recipe –the self rising flour! Now we can have these as often as we like. It brings back so many wonderful memories. — Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington

Go to Recipe

Mulled CiderThis is a classic warmer-upper that you can serve on chilly winter days. Pass the brandy separately for those who want it.

Go to Recipe

CharosetCharoset with apples, walnuts and spices has a special meaning for the Passover holiday. It represents mortar used for brickmaking when the Israelites were in Egypt. The sweetness represents freedom. —Gloria Mezikofsky, Wakefield, Massachusetts

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Apple BreadI got this apple quick bread recipe a long time ago and with a few changes it's become one of our favorites. Everyone who's ever tasted this apple bread has asked for the recipe! —Phyllis Herlocker, Farlington, Kansas

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Macaroon Apple CobblerEspecially when I'm just serving a dessert, I like to prepare this. I'll usually make it with fresh apples, but I've also sometimes used home-canned ones. —Phyllis Hinck, Lake City, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

Cinnamon Spiced ApplesIf you’re feeling festive, scoop some vanilla ice cream over a bowl of my cinnamon spiced apples. They’re homey, aromatic and just plain heavenly. —Amie Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee

Go to Recipe

Cinnamon Apple Pan BettyI found this recipe soon after I was married decades ago. You'll need just a few ingredients that you probably have on hand. It's super quick to put together and a favorite of ours during fall and winter, when apples are at their best. —Shirley Leister, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Apple Butter Cake RollThis is a new take on a pumpkin roll. Her spicy gingerbread cake might make you think back fondly to Christmas at Grandma's! —Debbie White, Williamson, West Virginia

Go to Recipe

We Made The Pioneer Woman's Apple Crisp Recipe—and It's Totally Worth the Hype (Make This Immediately!) (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6093

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.