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Crispy Brown Butter Apple Crisp: 7 Easy Oat Pecan Crumble Recipe

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A comforting dessert featuring tender, spiced apples topped with a crunchy, nutty crumble made from brown butter, oats, and pecans. This recipe balances sweet and savory flavors for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–7 large apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sautéing apples)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (for browning)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: Melt ½ cup butter in a stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Watch closely until foam subsides, golden brown specks appear, and it smells like toasted nuts. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heat-proof bowl.
  2. Prep the apples: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
  3. Assemble the base: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the apple mixture evenly into the dish and drizzle with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
  4. Make the topping: In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the warm brown butter over the dry ingredients and mix with a fork or fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Top and bake: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, pressing gently. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and juices are bubbling. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
  6. Cool and serve: Let the crisp cool for at least 20 minutes to allow juices to thicken. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to prevent mushiness. Do not use instant oats as they will turn to mush; old-fashioned rolled oats are required for texture. Brown butter is critical for flavor; trust your nose (hazelnut scent) over your eyes. Allow the crisp to cool for 20 minutes before serving to let the filling set. For gluten-free, use GF flour and certified GF oats. For dairy-free, use vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, brown butter, oat pecan crumble, dessert, comfort food, fall recipes, easy baking

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/crispy-brown-butter-apple-crisp-7-easy-oat-pecan-crumble-recipe/