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–+ servings
apple cranberry crisp on a plate with greek yogurt, oats, and dried cranberries, dish with more in the background next to 2 apples

Cranberry Apple Crisp with Dried Cranberries

This easy cranberry apple crisp is packed with tender, tart apples, sweet dried cranberries, and a golden, crunchy oat topping. A cozy, comforting dessert you can make any time of year, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8 Servings

Ingredients

Fruit Filling

  • 6 cups tart apples (about 5–6 medium apples) peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup orange juice or apple cider for soaking cranberries
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch

Crisp Topping

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • ⅓ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter or coconut oil melted
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Set aside a 9×9-inch baking dish.
  • Place the dried cranberries in a small bowl and pour the hot orange juice or apple cider over them. Let soak for 10–15 minutes, then drain well.
    dried cranberries soaking in orange juice in a small glass bowl.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, soaked cranberries, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Toss until the fruit is evenly coated.
    large glass bowl of seasoned apples mixed with dried cranberries.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the oats, whole wheat flour, chopped nuts (if using), maple syrup, melted butter or coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until evenly combined and crumbly.
    oat topping for cranberry apple crisp in a bowl.
  • Spread the apple cranberry filling evenly in the baking dish.
    seasoned sliced apples and dried cranberries in a square baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the oat topping over the fruit, leaving it loose rather than pressing it down.
    baked cranberry apple crisp with oat topping in a white square baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the apples are tender, the filling is bubbling around the edges, and the topping is golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
    baked apple cranberry crisp with oat topping in a white square baking dish.
  • Let the crisp cool for 10–15 minutes so the filling can thicken slightly. Serve warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
    plate of apple cranberry crisp with oats and dried cranberries topped with a dallop of Greek yogurt.

Notes

Use firm, tart apples. Granny Smith works beautifully. Avoid soft, mealy apples that can turn mushy during baking.
Sweetened vs. unsweetened cranberries: Most dried cranberries are already sweetened, so adjust the maple syrup if needed to avoid an overly sweet filling.
Drain the cranberries well. After soaking, discard the liquid so you don't introduce extra moisture into the filling.
Check the apples, not just the topping: A golden topping doesn't always mean the crisp is done. The apples should be fork tender and the filling bubbling around the edges.
Let it cool slightly: Give the crisp 10–15 minutes to rest before serving so the fruit juices have time to thicken.
Store leftovers properly: Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) to help crisp up the topping again.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
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