This single serving apple crisp is for those days when you want a warm, buttery comfort dessert – but don’t want to share. It’s cozy, crisp-heavy, and made for one (no judgment if you double it). I’ve tested this on chilly nights with Netflix and again for breakfast (yes, I said what I said), and it hits every time. If you’ve tried my single serving apple crumble before, this is its extra-crispy, golden cousin. Same vibes, different textures.
You can both this recipe off with a large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, but if you have a little extra time, I highly recommend trying it with my rose saffron kulfi recipe! It’s unbelievable paired with the apple and cinnamon undertones in this recipe. Now, let’s get into what makes this recipe so good—and yes, we’re using melted butter on purpose! Also
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Table of contents
Apple Crisp vs. Apple Crumble
So what’s the difference? Great question. The filling of both recipes is essentially the same, but it’s the texture of the topping that differentiates apple crumble from apple crisp.
Apple Crumble:
Apple crumble is all about that cookie-like topping made with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Typically, apple crumble recipes use cold butter, but for both my traditional apple crumble recipe and my single serving apple crumble, I prefer to use melted butter. This gives the topping a chewy, golden texture, almost like the edge of a sugar cookie. It gently sinks into the fruit, creating a soft-meets-crisp layer that feels rich, warm, and nostalgic.
Apple Crisp:
Apple Crisp, on the other hand, typically includes oats in the topping, giving it a heartier, chunkier texture. Once again, I made the topping with melted butter, which helps to caramelize the oats along with the sugar. The result is a perfectly chewy, golden, almost granola-bar topping. Overall, It’s chunkier, crispier, and holds its shape more than a crumble.
Key Ingredients (And Why They Matter)
For the Filling:
- Apple (Jazz or Honeycrisp work best) – Slightly tart and crisp, holds its shape and balances the sweetness.
- Lemon Juice – A small squeeze brightens the flavor and keeps the apple from browning.
- Cinnamon – Just a touch adds that cozy fall warmth.
- Butter: Mixed with the apples before baking to add richness and help everything caramelize as it cooks. It melts right into the fruit, creating that glossy, buttery finish.
For the Topping:
- Flour + Oats – The crisp combo! Flour gives structure, oats add texture and a toasty bite.
- Raw Sugar – Coarse and caramelizes beautifully. You can sub light brown sugar if needed.
- Cinnamon – Because more cinnamon is never a bad idea.
- Melted Butter – This is the secret to a chewy, golden, slightly caramelized topping that’s way easier to mix and super satisfying.
How to Make Single Serving Apple Crisp
- Slice one apple and toss with lemon, cinnamon, sugar, and butter.
- Layer into a ramekin or small baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until clumpy.
- Pile that crisp topping generously over the apples.
- Bake at 350°F in a toaster oven for 40–45 minutes, or until bubbly and golden. (For a regular oven, add 5-10 minutes to the cook time).
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or go fancy with my saffron rose ice cream.
FAQ
You can prep the filling and topping separately, store them in the fridge, and assemble before baking. Best eaten fresh, though.
I personally think Jazz, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady all work great—just avoid mushy varieties like Red Delicious.
More Recipes You’ll Love:
Single Serving Apple Crisp (Super Easy Recipe!)
Equipment
- Toaster Oven
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 apple (jazz or honeycrisp are best)
- 1/2 lemon
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter
Topping
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3 tbsp oats
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3.5 tbsp raw sugar
Garnish
- 1 large scoop vanilla or my homemade rose saffron ice cream
Instructions
- Prep the Apple: Chop the apple into bite-sized pieces. Toss it in lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar, and butter. Let it sit while you make the topping.
- Make the topping: In a bowl, mix flour, oats, sugar, and cinnamon. Pour in melted butter and stir until everything is moistened and crumbly.
- Assemble the crisp: Place the apple filling in a small ramekin or oven-safe dish. Top with all the crumble—yes, all of it. This is a crisp-heavy recipe on purpose.
- Bake it up: Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes in a toaster oven, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbly and soft. For a regular oven, add about 5-10 minutes extra to the cook time.
- Cool slightly and serve: Let it cool for 5 minutes so it’s not lava-hot. Top with a scoop of ice cream and dig in.
What did you think of this recipe?