This apple crisp in a jar is for those days when you're craving warm apple pie but don't feel like making and rolling out a pie crust.
Everyone gets their own little jar of tender, juicy apples under a crisp oat topping. Everyday ingredients like apples, butter, and oats bake into a warm dessert with a hint of Dutch speculaas spice in every bite. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let it slowly melt between the warm apple pieces.
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Why make this?
I love apple pie, especially when it's freshly baked and still warm from the oven. As soon as that smell fills the kitchen, I start looking forward to a slice. And with apple trees in my backyard, I'm always looking for ways to use the fruit. You'll find quite a few apple recipes on my blog by now. When I let the kids choose dessert, they always ask for ice cream. Luckily, that goes so well with this warm apple crisp. It's a classic pairing we can all agree on at home, and one of our favorite desserts!
You get soft baked apples under a buttery oat topping. The honey makes the filling smooth and rounded, while the brown sugar gives the topping that deeper, warm flavor. It is also easy to serve. Four jars go into the oven and four jars come out ready for the table. That helps when you are making dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a small dinner with family.
Ingredients for Apple Crisp in a Jar
Below are the ingredients you'll need for these individual apple crisps. The oats give the topping extra crunch, while the speculaas spice mix adds warm spice. You'll find the full ingredient list and measurements in the recipe card.
Apple Filling Ingredients
Oat Topping Ingredients
- Oats: Mixed into the crumble topping, they give it more texture and bite.
- Dutch speculaas spice mix: You'll use this spice blend in both the apple filling and the topping, so you taste it throughout the dessert. Cinnamon works, too. You can also make your own with my homemade speculaas spice mix recipe.
- Apples: Choose Granny Smith if you like the pieces to hold their shape. For a softer filling, use Elstar or Gala apples. Both work well with the sweet honey filling.
You can prepare it early and keep it cool in the refrigerator. Later on you can heat it up in the oven so it's served hot at dessert.
How to Make It
- Step 1: Prep takes about 10 minutes. Then the jars are ready for the oven.
- Step 2: Use your fingertips to work the topping ingredients into crumbs. Refrigerate while you make the filling.
- Step 3: Melt the butter, then stir in the remaining ingredients for the butter mixture.
- Step 4: Toss the peeled, diced apples with the butter mixture. Divide the apples among the jars and sprinkle the topping over them. Bake at 350 °F (180 °C) for 30 minutes and serve warm.
Andrea's Tips
- Leave some room at the top of each jar for the crumble topping. The apples will shrink as they bake.
- Use oven-safe jars or ramekins. Ordinary glass jars can crack in the oven.
- Making dessert ahead? Bake the crisps, then reheat them before serving. See the storage instructions in the recipe notes.
- October 2026 update: I now use 4 tablespoons of butter in the topping instead of 5 tablespoons. The oat topping stays crisper with less butter.
What to Serve with Apple Crisp in a Jar
You can see it in the photo below: a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the warm filling. That's the classic pairing, and it's all I need. Let the jars cool for a few minutes before adding the ice cream. The apples will still be warm enough to melt it slowly, without that first bite being piping hot. If you'd prefer something less sweet, add a spoonful of unsweetened, softly whipped cream.
Have a jar left over? Eat it cold the next morning with a generous spoonful of Greek yogurt. The tangy yogurt balances the sweetness of the honey and crumble topping.
Did you make this recipe?
So, how did it turn out? Tell me all about it (and a star rating would make my day.)
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
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Ingredients
Crumble topping
- ⅓ cup whole wheat flour
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon speculaas spice mix
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons butter , unsalted
apple filling
- 2 tablespoons butter , unsalted
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon speculaas spice mix
- 14 oz. apples , such as Granny Smith, Elstar, or Gala, weighed before peeling
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
Make the Crumble Topping
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F for a conventional oven or 325°F for a convection oven.
- Place four oven-safe jars or ramekins, each holding about 5-7 fluid ounces (150-200 ml), on a baking sheet.
- Place all the topping ingredients in a bowl.⅓ cup whole wheat flour, ⅓ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup dark brown sugar, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon speculaas spice mix, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 4 tablespoons butter
- Rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until coarse crumbs form. Some larger pieces are fine. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
Make the Apple Filling
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat.2 tablespoons butter
- Stir in the flour, water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, honey, and speculaas spice mix.¼ cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon speculaas spice mix
- Peel and core the apples. Cut them into evenly sized pieces, about ⅜ inch (1 cm). Place in a bowl and toss with the butter mixture until every piece is coated.14 oz. apples
Assemble and Bake
- Divide the apple filling among the four jars, leaving room at the top for the crumble topping.
- Sprinkle the crumbs loosely over the apples without pressing them down.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. Pierce a piece of apple with a small knife to check for doneness.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Tamara says
This was such a delicious crumble! I used it to top some muffins that I made. Super easy, and absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Terra says
I can't wait to give this crumble a shot. I especially like that it's in a jar! That's so convenient and easy.
Taleen | Just As Tasty says
I love that these are in individual jars, what a great idea for Thanksgiving!
Sunrita | Spiceitupp says
Wow! Love this idea of making little crumble jars. So convenient and I can actually use it for toppings and base for other stuff too!
Amanda Marie Boyle says
SUch a great idea, and perfect for big holiday gatherings!
Amy says
Oh what a great recipe and I love how it's presented. As we're staying home so much lately, we have been making care packages for our family and friends to get through the hard times. This would make such a lovely gift! We're onto it! Thanks!
Magali says
very original! I absolutely love this recipe! Apple crumbles are my favorite!😋😋
Andréa says
What a great idea Tamara! Thank you for sharing!
Andréa says
Thank you Terra. That's one of the tops of this recipe for sure. I love desserts that are in a jar.
Andréa says
Thank you Taleen, I bet it's great with Thanksgiving!
Andréa says
What a great idea! Thank you for your input and nice comment!
Andréa says
Thank you Amanda, it's indeed a delicious dessert for the holidays!
Andréa says
Thanks Amy, what a great idea, the care packages! Love the idea!
Andréa says
Mine to, it's such a delicious dessert. Thank you Magali!