Easy Apple Crisp with Pie Filling: A Simple and Delicious Dessert

Apple crisp is a classic dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s warm, comforting, and packed with sweet, tart apple flavor. But sometimes, making a traditional apple crisp can feel like a lot of work. That’s where this easy apple crisp with pie filling recipe comes in! It simplifies the process by using canned apple pie filling, significantly reducing prep time without sacrificing any of the deliciousness.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or anytime you’re craving a comforting dessert but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The combination of the sweet apple pie filling and the buttery, crumbly topping is simply irresistible. Plus, it’s easily customizable – you can add different spices, nuts, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Convenience:** Using canned apple pie filling cuts down on prep time dramatically. You don’t have to peel, core, and slice apples – it’s all done for you!
* **Consistent Results:** Canned pie filling ensures a consistent level of sweetness and apple flavor in every bite.
* **Simple Ingredients:** The crisp topping uses pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.
* **Easy to Customize:** Feel free to add your favorite spices, nuts, or toppings to personalize the recipe.
* **Crowd-Pleaser:** This apple crisp is always a hit with family and friends.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

**For the Apple Filling:**

* 2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling: Choose your favorite brand or flavor of apple pie filling. Some options include regular apple, spiced apple, or even caramel apple.
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the apple filling.
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Enhances the cinnamon flavor and adds a touch of complexity.
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Brightens the apple flavor and prevents browning.

**For the Crisp Topping:**

* 1 cup all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the topping.
* 1 cup rolled oats: Adds texture and a slightly nutty flavor.
* 1 cup packed brown sugar: Sweetens the topping and creates a caramel-like flavor when baked.
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the topping become slightly puffed and crispy.
* 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes: Creates a crumbly, buttery topping.
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): Adds crunch and nutty flavor.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Pastry blender or fork (optional, for cutting in the butter)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make this easy apple crisp with pie filling:

**Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling**

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine the apple pie filling, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine.
3. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

**Step 2: Make the Crisp Topping**

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should have small, pea-sized pieces of butter throughout.
3. If using, stir in the chopped pecans or walnuts.

**Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Crisp**

1. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling.
2. Gently press the topping down to help it adhere to the filling.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

**Step 4: Cool and Serve**

1. Remove the apple crisp from the oven and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and prevents burns.
2. Serve warm, plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

## Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

* **Use cold butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly topping. If the butter is too soft, the topping will be greasy and won’t have the desired texture.
* **Don’t overmix the topping:** Overmixing the topping will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough topping. Mix just until the butter is incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
* **Adjust the sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet dessert, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar in the topping.
* **Add a touch of acidity:** The lemon juice in the apple filling helps to balance the sweetness and enhance the apple flavor. You can also add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for a similar effect.
* **Cover the crisp if the topping browns too quickly:** If the topping starts to brown too quickly during baking, you can loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.
* **Let it cool slightly:** Letting the crisp cool for at least 15 minutes before serving allows the filling to thicken and prevents burns.

## Variations and Additions

This apple crisp recipe is incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to suit your preferences. Here are some ideas:

* **Different Fruits:** While this recipe calls for apple pie filling, you can easily substitute other canned pie fillings, such as peach, cherry, or blueberry. You can also use a combination of fruits.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as ginger, cardamom, or allspice. A pinch of cloves can also add a warm, festive flavor.
* **Nuts:** Add different types of nuts to the topping, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans. You can also toast the nuts before adding them to the topping for a more intense flavor.
* **Oatmeal:** Use quick-cooking oats instead of rolled oats for a slightly different texture in the topping.
* **Coconut:** Add shredded coconut to the topping for a tropical twist.
* **Streusel Topping:** Instead of the oat-based topping, you can make a streusel topping with flour, butter, sugar, and spices.
* **Caramel Sauce:** Drizzle caramel sauce over the warm apple crisp for an extra indulgent treat.
* **Ice Cream or Whipped Cream:** Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a classic combination.
* **Brown Butter:** Brown the butter for the topping for a nuttier, richer flavor. Be careful not to burn the butter.
* **Maple Syrup:** Replace some of the brown sugar with maple syrup for a more complex sweetness.

## Serving Suggestions

Apple crisp is delicious on its own, but it’s even better with a few accompaniments. Here are some serving suggestions:

* **Vanilla Ice Cream:** A classic pairing that complements the warm, sweet apple crisp perfectly.
* **Whipped Cream:** Adds a light and airy touch.
* **Caramel Sauce:** Enhances the caramel notes in the topping.
* **Cinnamon Stick:** Garnish with a cinnamon stick for a festive touch.
* **Hot Coffee or Tea:** Perfect for a cozy dessert on a chilly evening.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

This apple crisp can be made ahead of time, which is perfect for entertaining. Here are a few options:

* **Assemble the Crisp Ahead of Time:** You can assemble the entire crisp (filling and topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove it from the refrigerator and bake as directed.
* **Make the Topping Ahead of Time:** You can make the crisp topping up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply sprinkle the topping over the apple filling and bake as directed.
* **Bake and Reheat:** You can bake the entire crisp ahead of time and then reheat it before serving. To reheat, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

## Storage Instructions

Leftover apple crisp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the crisp to an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.

## Recipe Card

**Easy Apple Crisp with Pie Filling**

A simple and delicious apple crisp recipe that uses canned apple pie filling for a quick and easy dessert.

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30-35 minutes
**Total Time:** 45-50 minutes
**Servings:** 8-10

**Ingredients:**

* **Apple Filling:**
* 2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* **Crisp Topping:**
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine apple pie filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts, if using.
5. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple filling.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
7. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, plain or with ice cream or whipped cream.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving)

* Calories: 350-400
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 8-10g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 200-250mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Fiber: 3-4g
* Sugar: 30-40g
* Protein: 3-4g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

## Conclusion

This easy apple crisp with pie filling is the perfect dessert for any occasion. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a warm, comforting dessert on the table in under an hour. So, the next time you’re craving apple crisp, skip the complicated recipes and give this one a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy!