Candied Ginger Apple Crisp
This Candied Ginger Apple Crisp transforms the traditional apple crisp into something extraordinary—balancing warming spices with bright, zingy notes of crystallized ginger that create pockets of sweet heat that dance on your taste buds.
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Cooling Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 320 kcal
For the Apple Filling
- 6 large apples preferably a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar for a deeper caramel note
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or arrowroot starch for gluten-free option
- 1/3 cup candied ginger finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
For the Crisp Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour or almond flour for gluten-free option
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed (or maple sugar)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts chopped (optional)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. Toss the slices immediately with lemon juice in a large bowl to prevent browning.
Add sugar, flour, chopped candied ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the apples. Gently fold everything together until the apples are evenly coated.
Arrange the apple mixture in your prepared baking dish, creating a relatively flat surface for even cooking.
In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple mixture, making sure to cover the entire surface. Press down very gently to adhere.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the topping is golden brown.
Allow the crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
For a rustic variation, leave the peels on the apples—they add color, texture, and nutrition!
The cast iron skillet creates a beautiful caramelization around the edges that glass dishes simply can't match.
For a healthier version, reduce the granulated sugar by half and rely on the natural sweetness of riper apples, or substitute half the butter with unsweetened applesauce.
Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 120mgFiber: 4gSugar: 32gVitamin C: 15mgIron: 8mg
Keyword Apple Crisp, Candied Ginger, Fall Dessert, Baked Apple Dessert