Last Updated: Oct 26, 2025 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 30 Comments
Jump to Recipe Time: 50 minutes minsSmall Batch Apple Crisp is the easy dessert you’ll want when cooking for two or a few. Warm cinnamon apples and a buttery crumb topping make it cozy, old-fashioned, and beginner-friendly. You only need a few apples, simple pantry staples, and about 40 minutes in the oven.
🍏 Quick Answer: The Best Apples for Apple CrispSuggested varieties: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, or your forite. I suggest oiding soft apples like Red Delicious or Macintosh—they can turn mushy when baked.
You’ll need about 2 large, 3 medium, or 4 smaller apples to get roughly 2½ to 3 cups of apple slices for a small-batch 8×8 crisp.
Jump To (scroll for more)🧡 Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp🍎 Ingredients for Small Batch Apple Crisp👨🍳 Quick Overview: Making Apple Crisp🍏 The Best Apples to Use for Apple Crisp🍏 Apple Crisp for Two (with Leftovers) and How to Scale Up📋 More Easy Apple Recipes🍽️ Serving Apple Crisp❄️ How to store leftover apple crisp❓ FAQs📖The Recipe Card
Featured Comment by Terry:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It's a wonderful recipe and tastes just like my Grandmother's and Mother's when they made it."
Here’s what you’ll need—just pantry staples and a few apples:
Apples – For the recipe as written, use 2–3 apples (about 2½ to 3 cups sliced). Granny Smith is the classic choice, but most varieties work fine — see 🍏 Best Apples to Use below. All-purpose flour – For the crumb topping. Sugar – White sugar is standard, but brown sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like flor. Cinnamon – Gives that warm, old-fashioned flor. Salt – Just a pinch to balance sweetness. Butter – Cold, salted butter works best for a crisp, crumbly topping. 👨🍳 Quick Overview: Making Apple Crisp 1. Prepare apples and toppingPeel (optional), then slice or cube 2½ to 3 cups of apples; toss with a pinch of cinnamon.
✅ Pro Tip: You’ll need about 2 large or 3 medium apples (≈1 to 1¼ pounds) to get 2½ to 3 cups..
2. Prepare the toppingIn a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
🤔 Tip: For extra crunch, stir ¼ cup rolled oats or chopped nuts into the topping.
3. AssembleSpread apples in a buttered 8×8-inch dish (or similar). Cover evenly with the crumb topping—don’t pack it down.
🤔 Tip: A 9×9 pan works too, but bakes a bit thinner and may finish a few minutes faster.
4. BakeBake at 375°F for about 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Cool 10–15 minutes before serving.
👇 For full step-by-step instructions, scroll to the printable recipe card—or keep reading for tips, flor options, and serving ideas.
🍏 The Best Apples to Use for Apple CrispThis recipe is a great way to use up extra apples—especially if they’re a little soft, old, or he been hanging out in the fruit bowl too long.
Suggested varieties:
Granny Smith – Tart and firm; holds shape and balances the sweet topping. Honeycrisp – Juicy with a sweet-tart flor and keeps its texture when baked. Braeburn – Slightly spicy flor that pairs well with cinnamon and sugar. Pink Lady – Firm, tangy, and adds brightness and color. Your forite or a mixtureFirmer, slightly tart apples work best. They hold their shape and balance the sweetness of the topping.
I suggest oiding soft apples like Red Delicious or Macintosh—they can turn mushy when baked.
✅Pro Tip: Adjust the sugar according to the tartness or sweetness of your apples.
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🍏 Apple Crisp for Two (with Leftovers) and How to Scale UpA full recipe makes about 8–9 smallish servings. A half recipe makes 4 servings—perfect for two people to enjoy with fewer leftovers. You can bake a half batch in two ramekins, but it’s usually better in a small square or round dish for more even cooking.
A half recipe fits in: Two 8–10 oz ramekins (about 4 inches wide) A 5-inch square 6-inch round baking dish Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes A full recipe fits in: 8x8 square 6x9 oblong 9-inch round Bake for about 40 minutes A double batch fits in: A standard 9x13 cake or casserole dish Bake for about 50 to 60 minutesNo matter the size, bake until the top is browned, the filling is bubbling, and the apples are tender.
✅ Pro Tip: Use the serving # to scale your amounts—the written instructions below in the card don’t adjust when you change servings.
📋 More Easy Apple RecipesIf you’ve got extra apples, try one of these simple forites:
Apple Cinnamon Muffins – Moist, fluffy, and great for breakfast or snacks Easy Apple Crumb Pie – Classic flor with a sweet crumb topping Crock Pot Apple Cobbler – Set it and forget it—warm and cozy Apple Bread – Soft, spiced quick bread loaded with apple flor 🍽️ Serving Apple CrispApple crisp isn’t just dessert—it’s a cozy snack or even a sweet brunch side. This small-batch version is perfect for two people to enjoy warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. You’ll even he a little leftover for later.
If you’re feeding more, double the recipe and bring it to a potluck—it disappears fast.
❄️ How to store leftover apple crisp Refrigerate: Up to 4 days, tightly covered. Freeze: Up to 3 months, wrapped in plastic and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat: Warm briefly in the microwe or 350°F oven until heated through and crisp on top. ❓ FAQs Do the apples need to be peeled for apple crisp?Nope — it’s up to you. I usually peel them (that’s what you’ll see in the photos), but the skins soften during baking and are fine to lee on.
Can apple crisps be made gluten-free?Yes. Just swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Everything else stays the same.
How do I prevent peeled apples from browning?Toss them with a little lemon juice — about ½ teaspoon per 2–3 apples — if you’re prepping ahead.
What’s the difference between a cobbler, crumble, and crisp?Cobblers he a biscuit or cake-like topping.Crisps he a buttery crumb topping, usually without oats.Crumbles are similar to crisps but often include oats.Many people use “crumble” and “crisp” interchangeably — but in my kitchen, this recipe is definitely a crisp.
Can I make apple crisp with just 3 apples?Yes! This recipe is written for 2–3 medium apples (about 2½ to 3 cups sliced). That makes it perfect when you only he a few apples left in the fruit bowl—even the older ones work fine once they’re baked with cinnamon and a buttery crumb topping.
📖The Recipe Card
Small Batch Apple Crisp (Easy Fall Dessert for Two or More)
4.38 from 8 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
A small old-fashioned apple crisp recipe made with 2–3 apples and a buttery crumb topping. Easy to make and scales for households of two or more.
Prep Time : 10 minutes minsCook Time : 40 minutes minsTotal Time : 50 minutes mins
Servings #/Adjustable :9
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IngredientsUS Customary - Convert to Metric2½ to 3 cups apples - sliced about 2 large or 3 medium1 cup flour¾ to 1 cup sugar - depending on the sweetness of the apples1 teaspoon cinnamon - divided¼ teaspoon salt1 stick butter - ½ cup
Step-by-Step Instructions PreparePreheat the oven to 375°F.
Butter an 8-inch square baking dish or a similar-sized pan.
Prepare the applesPeel (optional) and cube or slice 2½ to 3 cups of apples—about two larger or three medium apples. Use Granny Smith, Ida Red, or other firm varieties, but oid Red Delicious and Macintosh apples. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
Prepare the toppingIn a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar (use ¾ cup for sweet apples, up to 1 cup for tart ones), ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Cut in 8 tablespoons of cold butter using a fork or pie crust cutter.
AssembleSpread the apples evenly in the prepared dish. Top with the crumble mixture.
BakeBake for about 40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.
Recipe NotesPro Tips
This fits nicely in an 8x8 pan, but a 9X6 or 9-inch round will work. A 9x9 will be thinner and not suggested.
This is an easy recipe to adjust up or down. A double recipe fits nicely in a standard 9 by 13 cake or casserole pan. Various pan sizes are discussed in the post.
Granny Smith or Ida Red apples are recommended. You can use the apples you love, but I suggest oiding Red Delicious and Macintosh.
Reduce the sugar to ¾ cup if the apples are particularly sweet.
Brown sugar may be used for a slightly different flor. Or use a mixture.
The amount of apple slices can vary slightly up or down.
A bit of cooling before serving helps it hold together.
Store refrigerated airtight for 4 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheats nicely in the microwe.
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To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)Calories : 223 kcal (11%)Carbohydrates : 32 g (11%)Protein : 2 g (4%)Fat : 10 g (15%)Saturated Fat : 6 g (30%)Cholesterol : 27 mg (9%)Sodium : 155 mg (6%)Potassium : 52 mg (1%)Fiber : 1 g (4%)Sugar : 20 g (22%)Vitamin A : 333 IU (7%)Vitamin C : 2 mg (2%)Calcium : 7 mg (1%)Iron : 1 mg (6%) Keyword : 3 apples; apple crisp for two; Easy apple crisp; Small batch apple crispPublisher Note: Originally Published October 25, 2014, It is a great simple recipe. It was updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help nigation.
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