Apple Blueberry Crisp

Name: Apple Blueberry Crisp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup oats (old-fashioned or rolled); 3 tablespoons brown sugar; ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon; 2 pinches fine sea salt; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature); 4 medium apples (like Fuji peeled, cored, and diced in 3/4 inch pieces, yields 4 to 5 cups); 1 pint fresh blueberries (about 2 cups); 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon white whole wheat flour (or regular white flour); ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; Ice cream for serving

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Savor this blend of tender apples and juicy blueberries beneath a crispy oat topping in this easy Apple Blueberry Crisp. You're going to love this version made with less sugar and more flavor thanks to the two fruit combination. This fruit crisp is easy to made ahead and only takes 15 minutes to prep.

Apple Blueberry Crisp on a plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Whether you're hosting a family gathering or craving a warm, cozy dessert at home, this Apple and Blueberry Crisp is sure to please. I brought it to a dinner at my friend's house, and everyone really enjoyed it. They liked how it's a simple and rustic recipe that highlights fresh seasonal fruit.

Or try some of other easy apple desserts that also get rave reviews like One Bowl Apple Cake or Jewish Apple Honey Cake.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
How to Make Apple Blueberry Crisp
Top Tips
Make Ahead and Storage
What to Serve with Apple Berry Crisp
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Apple Recipes
Recipe
Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Apple Blueberry Crisp is an easy dessert that requires only 15 minutes of prep time and can be completed in under an hour.
Make it ahead - bake ahead of time and then reheat in the oven just before serving.
This recipe is light on sugar and fat but still long on comfort and flavor. It just doesn't taste like a healthier dessert.
It's a versatile fruit crisp recipe that can be made with other seasonal fruit like cherries, peaches, or strawberries.
It's made with simple ingredients that are easy to have on hand.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Ingredients for Apple and Blueberry Crisp Recipe.

See the recipe card below for a complete ingredient list and measurements.

Apples - I used Fuji apples, which are sweet and firm, keeping the addition of sugar to a minimum. Or use any other apple variety that keeps its shape and won't be mushy when cooked like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, or Braeburn.
Blueberries - Use fresh blueberries, or if you use frozen blueberries, add them while frozen. If you don't have blueberries, make this an all apple crisp with the addition of 2 more apples.
Oats - Use old-fashioned, rolled or quick cook oats for a crisp. Do not use groats or steel cut which will be too thick to cook fully. Also, do not use instant oatmeal which is too thin and flimsy to crisp up nicely.
Brown sugar and white granulated sugar - These are the sugars that I usually have on hand for baking. I haven't tested this recipe with other sweeteners. If you experiment, please let us know how it turns out in the comments.
Cinnamon - cinnamon is a classic combination with apples. Other spices that also go well with apples include cardamom or nutmeg.
Unsalted butter - I used unsalted butter for baking so I can control the total amount of salt. If you use salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe.
Fine sea salt - I bake with fine sea salt because it distributes well in baked goods. If you use Diamond Crystal kosher salt, break apart the crystals between your fingers as you add the salt to the mixture so it's finer.
White whole wheat flour - Can substitute with regular white flour. I haven't tested this recipe with other types of flour.

If you have extra apples, make the easy homemade chunky applesauce or my famous Apple Noodle Kugel.

How to Make Apple Blueberry Crisp

See the recipe card below for complete directions.

Oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a mixing bowl.

For the topping: Mix oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add small pieces of room-temperature butter and pinch into the oat mixture until moistened. Set aside.

Sliced apples, blueberries, granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon in a bowl.

For the apple-blueberry mixture: Mix the cut apples and blueberries with sugar, flour, and cinnamon.

Apple and blueberry mixture spread in cast iron pan.

Spread the apple-blueberry mixture evenly in the pan.

Crisp topping spread over the apple blueberry mixture in a cast iron skillet.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple-blueberry mixture. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the apples are soft and the topping is golden brown.

Top Tips

Use Firm Apples: Choose firm apples like Fuji, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
Frozen Blueberries: If using frozen blueberries, add them directly without thawing to avoid excess moisture.
Even Butter Distribution: Ensure the butter is evenly distributed in the oat topping for a consistent, crisp texture. If you don't want to use your hands, you can use a pastry cutter.
Broil for Extra Crispiness: If the topping isn't golden brown enough after baking, broil for 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Apple Blueberry Crisp in a cast iron pan.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make ahead: There are two points where this Apple Blueberry Crisp can be made ahead.
1. Prepare the fruit mixture and topping separately up to 24 hours in advance. Add some lemon juice to the sliced apples to reduce browning. Then assemble and bake when ready.
2. Bake the fruit crisp ahead of time, and return it to the oven to reheat just before you're ready to serve.

How to store: Allow the crisp to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How to freeze: Cool completely, then wrap the crisp tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Do not place a frozen glass baking dish directly in a hot oven or it can break.

How to reheat: Preheat your oven to 350° F. Cover the crisp with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from burning. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to re-crisp the topping.

What to Serve with Apple Berry Crisp

Fruit crisp pairs well with ice cream, whether dairy or vegan. Vanilla or caramel flavors go especially well. The warm crisp tastes so satisfying in contrast to the cold creamy ice cream. It's a winning combination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crisp?

A crisp is a baked dessert typically featuring a fruit filling, such as apples, berries, or peaches, topped with a crumbly mixture. The topping usually consists of oats, flour, butter, and sugar, which become golden and crispy during baking. It is similar to a crumble, but crisps often include oats in the topping for added texture.

How do I prevent the crisp topping from getting soggy?

Ensure the crumbly topping ingredients are well-mixed, and the butter is evenly distributed. Bake until the topping is golden and crisp, and if needed, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.

What fruits can I use in a fruit crisp?

You can substitute or add other fruits like peaches, nectarines, cherries, pears, strawberries, or other berries.

Can I use a different size pan to make this crisp?

Yes, the recipe suggests a 12" cast iron skillet, a 9x9" square baking dish, or a 7x11" rectangular pan. You can also use a slightly smaller baking dish, such as an 8x8" square pan or a 10" cast iron skillet. Just ensure the fruit and topping are spread evenly, and adjust the baking time slightly if necessary, checking for doneness by ensuring the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.