Name: Peanut Butter Apple Crisp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 6 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced tart apples like Granny Smith (about 6-7 medium apples); 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces; 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

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If you’re a fan of fall desserts, just wait until you try this peanut butter apple crisp! Tart Granny Smith apples are coated in a luscious peanut butter sauce.

Then, they’re topped with an irresistible oat-peanut butter crumble. It’s so good, I don’t even know where to begin!

A serving of peanut butter apple crisp served on a white bowl topped with vanilla ice cream.

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It has all the nostalgic flavors of apple slices and peanut butter in a decadent dessert.

Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence!

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Apple Crisp

Full of Flavor: The combination of tart apples, creamy peanut butter, and warm spices creates a delightful balance of flavors.

Tender and Crunchy Texture: The tender, juicy apples are perfectly complemented by the crunchy, buttery oat topping, providing a satisfying contrast in every bite.

Comfort Classic: This cozy dessert puts a creative twist on traditional apple crisp. It’s a perfect choice for fall gatherings or anytime you crave a comforting treat.

Easy Prep: This recipe is easy to prepare, even for novice bakers, thanks to its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.

Peanut butter apple crisp baked in a rectangular baking dish.

Ingredients

Tart Apples: The perfect fruit for balancing the sweetness. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples all work well.
Creamy Peanut Butter: It binds the filling and adds a rich, nutty flavor.
Brown Sugar: It provides sweetness, moisture, and a hint of caramel flavor in both the filling and topping. Light brown sugar is ideal.
Cornstarch: It thickens the juices released by the apples so your filling sets up perfectly.
Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg: The warm spices complement the apples and peanut butter. A little nutmeg goes a long way.
Lemon Juice: It brightens the flavor of the apples and keeps them from browning.
Vanilla Extract: It rounds out the flavors and makes everything taste homemade.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: They create a hearty, textural topping that’s crisp and crumbly. Don’t use quick oats.
All-Purpose Flour: It helps bind the topping together. Regular all-purpose flour works perfectly.
Salt: It enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Regular table salt does the trick.
Unsalted Butter: It ensures a flaky, crisp oat topping. Cut it in cold for best results.
Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (optional): For crunch and extra nuttiness in your oat topping.

Peanut butter apple crisp in a white baking dish scooped with a spoon.

How to Make Peanut Butter Apple Crisp

Making this apple crisp couldn’t be easier.

1. Prep the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Prepare the apple filling. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the peanut butter, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

3. Make the oat topping. In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Add the peanut butter and butter pieces and use your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.

4. Top the apple filling. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apple filling.

5. Bake the crisp. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

6. Cool and serve. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

A white bowl with a serving o
f peanut butter apple crisp topped with crumbled oats.

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Apple Crisp

Follow these tips and tricks for the most mouthwatering fall dessert.

Pick your apples wisely. Use tart, firm apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor contrast with the sweet topping. Honeycrisp or Braeburn apples also work well.
Go au naturel. Opt for creamy, natural peanut butter without added sugar or oils for the most peanut flavor. Crunchy peanut butter can also add a nice texture.
Slice them skinny. Slice the apples thinly and evenly, about 1/4-inch thick, so they become perfectly tender and soft when baked.
Thicken them up. Toss the apple slices with cornstarch to thicken their juices as they bake, preventing a watery filling.
Spice it up. Add extra cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to the apple mixture for a more aromatic, flavorful filling.
Get nutty. Mix chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts into the crumb topping for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
Try a tent trick. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the crisp loosely with foil partway through baking.
Switch it up. Try mixing pears, peaches, or plums with the apples. Use almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter. Or, add dried cranberries or raisins to the filling.

Peanut butter apple crisp served in a white bowl, rectangular baking dish with the rest of the dessert in the backfground.

How to Store

If you have leftover apple crisp, keep it fresh with these tips.

To Store: Cover the peanut butter apple crisp tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

To Freeze: Wrap the peanut butter apple crisp in a double layer of plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

To Reheat: Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until warmed through. Or place the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil if the topping starts to brown too much.