Apple Crisp Recipe: A Classic Dessert with a Twist
What Is Apple Crisp?
Apple crisp is one of those timeless comfort desserts that brings together the best of fall flavors in one warm, cozy dish. At its core, it’s a baked dessert made with tender, spiced apples topped with a sweet, buttery streusel-like crumble. The apples soften into a luscious filling, while the crisp topping turns golden brown and crunchy — creating that irresistible contrast of textures. Traditionally, apple crisp is served warm, often with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream to balance the sweet-tart flavors.
A Brief History of Apple Crisp
While apple pies have been around for centuries, the apple crisp as we know it today is a relatively modern creation. The first known printed recipe appeared in the United States in 1924 in a cookbook called Everybody’s Cook Book: A Comprehensive Manual of Home Cookery. Unlike pies, which require rolling dough and shaping crusts, the apple crisp was celebrated for its simplicity — making it a household favorite during the early 20th century when families sought quick, affordable, and comforting desserts. Over the years, apple crisp has become a staple of American fall traditions, often baked with seasonal varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or McIntosh apples.
Watch our step by step guide on how make Picanha on the Grill!
Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying
This isn’t just any apple crisp — it’s a Wise Guys BBQ twist on a beloved classic. Tommy takes the recipe outdoors, cooking it in a cast iron skillet on a pellet smoker for a subtle smoky flavor that elevates the dessert beyond the ordinary. (No smoker? No problem! We’re including baking instructions too!) The filling is layered with a surprise addition: pine nuts and golden raisins soaked in grappa, adding nutty crunch and bursts of boozy sweetness that play beautifully against the warm apples and cinnamon.
Cooking the crisp on the smoker allows the topping to develop an extra depth of flavor, while the cast iron ensures perfectly even baking. Once finished, the apple crisp is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into the warm filling — the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and creamy.
If you’re looking for an easy recipe that combines the comfort of a classic apple crisp with the fun of outdoor cooking, this smoked version is a must-try. It’s rustic, flavorful, and guaranteed to be the star of your next fall gathering.
Apple Crisp
Equipment
- 1 smoker or oven
- 1 cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 lb Apples, Honey Crisp or Granny Smith peeled, and sliced into wedges.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 cup pine nuts OPTIONAL wise guys twist
- 1 cup golden raisins soaked in grappa overnight OPTIONAL wise guys twist
Topping
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup walnuts slightly crushed
- 1/1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 stick salted butter chilled and cut into ½ inch cubes
Instructions
Topping
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, walnuts, cinnamon, ginger, and butter. Pulse until the mixture is crumbly and still clumpy and set aside.1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats , 1/4 cup walnuts, 1/1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 stick salted butter, 1/2 tsp ground ginger
Filling
- In a large mixing bowl combine the apples, brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Stir gently to combine. Note: Try adding pine nuts and grappa soaked golden raisens for a special Wise Guys twist3 lb Apples, Honey Crisp or Granny Smith, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice , 1 tsp Vanilla, 1 pinch salt, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 1 cup golden raisins soaked in grappa overnight
- Pour the fruit mixture into a buttered cast iron skillet.
- Spread the topping evenly over the fruit.
Cook
- When ready to cook, fire up the smoker to 350 degrees F (If you dont have a smoker, No worries! Bake it in your oven at 359 degrees instead!)
- Smoke or bake the apple crisp for about 60 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is hot and bubbling.
- Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Serve with ice cream if desired.