Skillet Cranberry Apple Crisp

This gluten-free recipe for the best Skillet Cranberry Apple Crisp with Pecan Oat Topping has sugar-free options. Tender apples, tart cranberries and a sweet and crunchy buttery pecan topping make this a stellar dessert.

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

• Easy and always popular: This Gluten-Free Skillet Cranberry Apple Crisp blends tangy cranberries and sweet apples in a gluten-free, easy-to-make dessert. Enjoy the cozy tastes of fall with each bite of warm, crisp buttery perfection. This dish is always a surefire hit.
• Gluten-free with sugar-free option: It's sweet (but not too sweet) with tender apples and a crispy, crunchy topping made with wholesome rolled oats and pecans. Best of all, it's gluten-free and you can make it sugar-free, too.
• A reliable recipe: I adapted this recipe from America's Test Kitchen. I wanted a reliable stovetop apple crisp recipe to use as a basis for making substitutions for my family's special diets. Who better to trust than America's Test Kitchen?!
• A healthy, family-style dessert: I reduced the amount of sugar, added cranberries, substituted a gluten-free flour blend for wheat flour, and gave you the option to use a 0-calorie sweetener. The result? A healthy family-style cranberry apple dessert that's special enough for a dinner party, too.
• Skillet Cranberry Apple Crisp, Skillet Cranberry Apple Crumble, whatever you choose to call it, it's delicious. Let's make this gluten-free Cranberry Apple Crisp for today's dessert!
  

I love that sweet and tart apple-cranberry flavor combination! If you do too, try this Puff Pastry Cranberry Apple Galette, (you can make it with gluten-free puff pastry, too) or Warm Cranberry Apple Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (delicious with a drizzle of maple syrup.)

🛒 Ingredients

• gluten-free flour blend:  I use Cup4Cup or Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
• pecans:  this crisp is delicious with hazelnuts, too.
• oats:  old-fashioned rolled oats are best, but you can substitute quick-cooking oats
• sugar:  light brown sugar or Lacanto Golden Monkfruit 0-calorie sugar substitute
• cinnamon: adds flavor and will make your kitchen smell wonderful!
• salt: for a little balance of flavor
• butter:  unsalted
• apples: about 8 or 9 medium apples. A sweet variety is best.
• cranberries: fresh. You could also substitute blackberries, blueberries or raspberries.
• apple cider:  (soft, non-alcoholic) You can substitute unsweetened apple juice.
• lemon juice: adds a bright, fresh note. Don't leave this out 😊

🔪 Instructions

1. You'll start by making the crisp topping. Mix gluten-free flour, chopped pecans, rolled oats, sugar or sugar substitute, cinnamon, salt and melted butter.
2. Peel, core, and slice apples into wedges ½ inch thick.
3. Next, you'll heat apple cider (or apple juice) until it has been reduced by half, to concentrate the flavor. Add lemon juice to this mixture and set aside.
4. Finally, you'll partially cook the apples in a skillet until slightly softened, add fresh cranberries, toss with the apple cider lemon mixture, and top with the crisp topping.
5. Bake at a high heat (450°F) for only 15 - 18 minutes and you'll have a superb, nutritious dessert ready to serve your family and friends.

❓Why make apple crisp in a skillet?

One of the problems with making apple crisp using the traditional oven baking method can sometimes cooke the fruit unevenly.

Softening the apples in a skillet on the stovetop first prevents this problem. You'll end up with apples that are slightly browned and caramelized, intensifying their flavor.

👍🏼 Time-Saving Tip

Double the recipe for the Pecan Oat Crisp Topping and store half in a zipper-lock bag in the freezer to make another crisp on a busy day. I often make a big batch so I can make this Pecan Pear Crisp or Apple Pecan Crisp with Caramel Sauce for another day.

To calculate the ingredient amounts, click on the number of servings in the recipe card below. A little slider will appear. Move it to 16 to double the recipe. Next time you want a quick dessert, you'll be ahead of the game!

❓Frequently asked questions

🥶Storage and Freezing Instructions

🗒 More fruit crisp recipes

I've made more fruit crisps in my life than I could ever begin to count. You'll find several fruit crisp recipes here on Flavour and Savour.

I usually make a crisp topping, flavor the filling with spices or liqueurs, and add a thickener like cornstarch to thicken the filling. I bake it in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes or longer.

While I love these fruit crisp recipes and make them often, this gluten-free Cranberry Apple Crisp is a new favorite!

Enjoy everyone!

📖 Recipe

Skillet Cranberry Apple Crisp

This gluten-free recipe for Skillet Cranberry Apple Crisp with Pecan Oat Topping has sugar-free options. Tender apples, tart cranberries and a sweet crispy topping makes this a stellar dessert.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 418kcal

Author: Elaine

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

12 inch ovensafe skillet

1 large bowl

1 medium bowl

kitchen scale

Ingredients

Pecan-Oat Crisp Topping

• ▢ ¾ cup gluten-free flour blend I use Cup4Cup or Bob's Red Mill 1-1 GF Baking Flour
• ▢ ¾ cup pecans, finely chopped
• ▢ ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, gluten-free, if necessary
• ▢ ½ cup packed light brown sugar, or Lacanto Golden Monkfruit all natural sugar substitute
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling

• ▢ 3 pounds apples peeled, cored, halved and cut into ½-inch-thick wedges (about 9 medium apples)
• ▢ 2 tablespoon sugar or granulated sugar substitute
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
• ▢ 1 cup apple cider, or unsweetened apple juice
• ▢ 2 teaspoon lemon juice
• ▢ 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ▢ ½ cup fresh cranberries

Instructions

Crisp Topping

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• In a medium bowl, combine gluten-free flour, pecans, oats, sugar (or sugar substitute), cinnamon and salt. Add melted butter and stir until mixture is moistened and crumbly. Set aside.

Filling

• In a large bowl, toss apples with cinnamon and sugar or sugar substitute. Set aside.
• Heat apple cider in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until reduced to ½ cup, about 5 - 7 minutes. Transfer apple cider to a measuring cup or small bowl and add 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
• Heat butter in the same (empty) skillet over medium heat. Add apple mixture. It will seem like the pan is too full, but once the apples cook, they will reduce in size. Cook, turning the apples frequently until they begin to soften, about 12 - 14 minutes. Don't fully cook.
• Add ½ cup fresh cranberries to the pan. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the apple cider-lemon mixture until apples are fully coated.
• Sprinkle the topping mixture over the apples and cranberries, covering completely. If making ahead of time, cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Place skillet on a baking sheet to prevent spills in the oven. Bake at 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes until apples are tender and topping is golden brown. Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream or whipped coconut milk!

Notes

This Skillet Cranberry Apple Crisp is delicious served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 155mg | Potassium: 307mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 544IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

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