This applesauce crisp is the easy dessert you'll make again and again. A warm, cinnamon-spiced applesauce filling topped with buttery, golden oat crumble, baked until the edges bubble and the top turns crisp. No peeling or slicing apples, just a short list of pantry ingredients.
It has all the cozy flavor of an apple crisp with a fraction of the work, because you start with applesauce instead of fresh fruit. The chunky applesauce gives the filling a soft, tender texture while the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg bring that classic warm spice everyone loves.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS APPLESAUCE CRISP
- No fresh apples needed. Applesauce does all the work, no peeling, coring, or slicing.
- Pantry friendly. Everything comes together from basic ingredients you likely have on hand.
- Ready in under an hour. About 45 minutes from start to finish.
- Warm and cozy. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar make it taste like dessert should.
- Perfectly crumbly. The buttery oat topping bakes up crisp on top and tender underneath.
INGREDIENTS
For the filling:
- unsweetened applesauce, cinnamon applesauce works great for more cinnamon flavor
- packed brown sugar
- all-purpose flour
- lemon juice
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
For the topping:
- quick-cooking oats
- all-purpose flour
- packed brown sugar
- butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
See recipe card for full amounts and directions.
HOW TO MAKE APPLESAUCE CRISP
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
- In a large bowl, stir together the applesauce, brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined. Spread the filling evenly in the prepared dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms damp crumbs.
- Spread the oat topping evenly over the applesauce filling.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles at the edges.
- Let the crisp stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving, so the filling sets and the topping stays crisp.
QUICK TIPS
- Use chunky applesauce for the best texture, it gives the filling more body than smooth applesauce.
- Let it rest before serving, that 10 to 15 minutes lets the filling firm up so it doesn't run.
- Don't over-mix the topping, you want damp crumbs, not a paste.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle a few oats over the top before baking.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the full dessert effect.
HOW TO STORE APPLESAUCE CRISP
Store leftover applesauce crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in a low oven. To restore the crisp topping, reheat uncovered in the oven rather than the microwave.
APPLESAUCE CRISP FAQ
Applesauce crisp is a warm dessert made with a spiced applesauce filling topped with a buttery oat crumble. It bakes until the topping is golden and crisp, like an apple crisp but made with applesauce instead of fresh sliced apples.
Yes, but then reduce the brown sugar in the filling, since sweetened applesauce already has added sugar. Unsweetened chunky applesauce gives you more control over the sweetness.
The crisp is done when the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges, usually 30 to 35 minutes. Let it rest before serving so the filling sets.
Quick oats work best because they soften and toast in the baking time, but old-fashioned oats can work too. The topping will be a little chewier and may need a few extra minutes.
MORE EASY DESSERTS
📖 Recipe
Applesauce Crisp
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 2 cups unsweetened applesauce - preferably chunky, use cinnamon for more cinnamon flavor
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the topping:
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup butter - melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ . Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
- Stir the filling ingredients together and spread them in the dish.
- Mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt, then stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms damp crumbs.
- Spread the topping evenly over the applesauce.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling bubbles at the edges.
- Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- Top with ice cream if desired
Notes
- Use chunky applesauce for more texture in the filling.
- Use apple cinnamon applesauce for more cinnamon flavor.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Popular Recipes
Dana is the lead recipe developer and photographer for PopularRecipes.com. With her 10+ years of experience creating, testing, and photographing recipes, she has become an artist in developing wholesome, family-friendly meals that are a hit with both kids and parents.
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