Strawberry Apple Crisp

There’s not a summer that goes by without me making countless fruit crisps. Many summer days in the Pacific Northwest are spent picking fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries for these seasonal desserts. But mixing berries or introducing apples or pears to the party creates a whole new world of baked goods. Strawberries and apples might not be the first combo that comes to mind, but the juiciness of the berries and the sturdiness of the apples create a delightful fruit crisp that just begs for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The difference between crisps, cobblers and crumbles comes down to the topping. A crisp generally incorporates oats and nuts to give the finished dessert some crunch; a cobbler is covered with a biscuit-like topping; and a crumble is usually made with a streusel topping. For this strawberry apple crisp, the fruit is topped with a brown sugar crumble topping made from oats, flour and melted butter. It requires only a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes in the oven, making it one of my go-tos when I need something sweet on the fly.

Ingredients for Strawberry Apple Crisp

• Strawberries: Strawberries are the star of the show in this recipe. Use berries from the store or the farmer’s market, or freshly-picked berries from a u-pick farm or your yard. Be sure to wash the strawberries.
• Apples: Apples add flavor and texture to this fruit crisp. I love to use sweet-tart apples—like Honeycrisps, Cosmic Crisps or SugarBees—in this recipe, but any type of apple will do. I keep the peels on the apples for added texture, but you can peel them if you prefer.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds depth of sweetness and flavor to both the fruit mixture and the topping. Use light or dark brown sugar; dark brown sugar adds more molasses flavor.
• All-purpose flour: A touch of flour helps thicken the juice that comes from the fruit to avoid excess moisture. You’ll also need it to give the topping mixture structure.
• Oats: For the topping, old-fashioned rolled oats are my go-to for this recipe.
• Baking powder: Just a sprinkle of baking powder goes a long way in the fruit crisp topping mixture. It plays a key role in achieving the ideal texture.
• Salt: A pinch of salt cuts the sweetness in the topping.
• Butter: Melted butter moistens and holds the dry ingredients together, and it adds richness to the dessert.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the fruit

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss together the strawberries, apples, brown sugar and flour. Transfer the mixture to a high-sided 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Make the topping

In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the melted butter, and use a fork to mix the topping until it’s moistened and clumpy. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit.

Step 3: Bake the crisp

Bake the crisp for 50 to 55 minutes or until the fruit filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Rest the crisp for 15 minutes before serving it.

Strawberry Apple Crisp Variations

• Add other fruit: This recipe works with a wide range of fruits. Include raspberries and/or blackberries to make a mixed berry-apple crisp with even more berry flavor.
• Incorporate coconut: Coconut adds a tropical flavor to just about any dessert. Consider adding 1/2 cup of sweetened shredded coconut to the crisp topping mixture before baking it. Take it a step further and use toasted coconut instead.
• Spice it up: Baking spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, clove or nutmeg would enhance this recipe. Add 1 teaspoon of spice to the fruit crisp topping mixture.

How to Store Strawberry Apple Crisp

Once the fruit crisp has cooled, cover it with storage wrap, aluminum foil or a lid, and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. Alternatively, transfer leftovers to an airtight container.

Can you freeze strawberry apple crisp?

Fruit crisps like this freeze well. Let the crisp cool before transfering it to an airtight container. Store the strawberry apple crisp in the freezer for up to two months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. You don’t need to reheat it before serving, but it’s always welcome.

Strawberry Apple Crisp Tips

What’s the best way to serve strawberry apple crisp?

To me, strawberry apple crisp is best served warm with a scoop of ice cream, but it can truly be enjoyed any way. Serve the crisp warm, at room temperature or even cold. I pack it for camping or to be enjoyed as a surprise snack by the lake on a summer day. Pair it with vanilla ice cream or try other toppings like strawberry ice cream, coconut gelato or homemade whipped cream.

What’s the best way to reheat strawberry apple crisp?

Easily reheat strawberry apple crisp in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or warm it up in the oven again at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes.

Can I bake strawberry apple crisp in another pan?

A fruit crisp can be baked in just about any pan or dish. You can use metal baking pans or glass or ceramic baking dishes. Keep in mind that you’ll need something with enough room to hold the fruit and topping, and the baking times will vary slightly depending on the pan or dish you choose.