Bity
Apple Crisp Pizza takes everything you love about a classic apple crisp and layers it over a pie crust base, so you get pie, crisp and pizza all rolled into one dessert. Peeled and diced apples get tossed in cinnamon, spread over the crust, then topped with a crumbly oat and brown sugar topping mixed to that wet sand texture before it all bakes together. Once it comes out of the oven, a caramel drizzle finishes it off. Cut into slices, this apple dessert pizza is an easy homemade treat that is simple enough for anyone to make.
Quick Breakdown
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp Pizza
- Pie crust meets apple crisp. This dessert pizza combines a pie crust base with cinnamon apples and a crumbly oat topping, so you get pie and crisp textures in one bake.
- Caramel drizzle finish. A caramel topping is drizzled over the pizza right after baking, adding a sweet finish over the golden crumble.
- Feeds a crowd. The recipe yields 12 servings, making it a good size for sharing at gatherings, picnics or barbecues.
- Simple, familiar ingredients. It comes together with pantry staples like flour, sugar, cinnamon, oats and butter, plus apples, so there is nothing hard to find.
- Customizable to your taste. Options like gluten-free crust and flour, vegan butter and crust, pears or berries instead of apples, and pecans or walnuts in the topping let you adjust it to what you have or need.
So, there I was, four apples in one hand, a pie crust in the other, and a wild idea in my head. “Not Apple Pie!!” Why not make a pizza that’s also an apple crisp? Sounds crazy, right? But trust me, it’s crazy good. The first time I pulled this concoction out of the oven, my family looked at me like I had just invented the wheel. And after the first bite, they were convinced I had. This Apple dessert Pizza isn’t just a dessert; it’s the hero we didn’t know we needed in our lives.
What makes this apple crisp pizza recipe truly special?
- A fun twist on tradition. This apple crisp pizza skips the tomatoes and cheese entirely, swapping in peeled and diced apples, cinnamon and a crumbly oat topping over a pie crust base.
- Simple enough for anyone. The steps are straightforward, from mixing the apple filling to sprinkling on the topping, so both new bakers and experienced ones can pull this off without trouble.
- A good fit for a crowd. Cut into slices, it works well for gatherings and get-togethers, and the caramel drizzle on top gives every piece a rich, sweet finish.
- Room to make it your own. The recipe allows for easy swaps, like pears or a mix of berries instead of apples, or pecans and walnuts stirred into the topping.
Ingredient Notes
- Pie Crust. Use a homemade or store-bought 9-inch pie crust as the base, and roll it out to fit the 12-inch pizza pan before baking.
- Apples. You will need 4 cups of peeled and diced apples, about 4 apples total. Gala, Fiji, Braeburn or Empire are the recommended varieties.
- White Sugar, Flour and Cinnamon. These three coat the diced apples before baking, and the cinnamon carries the seasoning through the whole filling.
- Rolled Oats and Brown Sugar. Combined with more flour and cinnamon, these form the base of the crumbly topping that goes over the apples.
- Salted Butter. Softened butter gets worked into the topping mixture until it resembles wet sand, which is what gives the topping its crumbly texture.
- Caramel Topping. Drizzled over the pizza right after it comes out of the oven, this adds a sweet finish to the finished slices.
- Vanilla Ice Cream. This is optional, but a scoop on the side is a nice way to serve each warm slice.
How to Make Apple Crisp Dessert Pizza?
Step 1: Preheat that oven to 350 degrees. We’re starting this party hot.
Step 2: Roll out the pie crust to fit a 12-inch pizza pan, then fold under the edges to create a slightly elevated border that will hold the apples and topping in place.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the white sugar, all-purpose flour and ground cinnamon. Add the peeled and diced apples and toss until fully coated, then spread the mixture in a single layer over the prepared pie crust.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon for the topping. Add the softened butter and work it in until the mixture resembles wet sand, then sprinkle it evenly over the apples.
Step 6: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
Step 7: Caramel Apple moment it’s out of the oven, it’s caramel time. Drizzle it like you’re painting a masterpiece, then slice it up and watch it disappear.
Storage Options:
Got leftovers? No problem. Wrap it up tight and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it for a surprise treat down the road. Just remember, it’s best served a bit warm, like a hug from the inside.
Tips for the Best Apple Crisp Pizza
- Dice apples evenly. Cut the peeled apples into similar-sized diced pieces so they cook at the same rate and turn tender by the time the topping is golden brown.
- Fold the crust edges. Roll the pie crust to fit the 12-inch pizza pan and fold under the edges to create a slightly elevated border that holds the apples and topping in place.
- Mix topping to wet sand texture. Work the softened salted butter into the flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon until the mixture resembles wet sand, not a dough, for an even crumbly topping.
- Choose a firmer apple variety. Gala, Fiji, Braeburn or Empire apples are recommended for this recipe since about 4 apples make up the 4 cups of peeled and diced apples needed.
- Drizzle caramel right away. Add the caramel topping immediately after the pizza comes out of the oven so it melts slightly and settles over the warm crumble topping.
- Watch for golden topping. Bake for 35-40 minutes and check that the apples are tender and the topping has turned golden brown before removing the pizza from the oven.
Storing Apple Crisp Pizza
- Refrigerate Leftovers. Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days for the best quality and safety, according to the UC Master Food Preserver Program of Orange County.
- Reheat Individual Slices. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is a nice touch once it is warm.
- Keep The Crust Sturdy. If you made the crust from scratch using The Best Pizza Dough Recipe as a base, store it flat so the raised edges do not get crushed under other containers.
Variations and Substitutions
- Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Pizza. Swap in a gluten-free pie crust and gluten-free all-purpose flour for both the apple filling and the crumble topping to make this apple pie pizza gluten-free.
- Vegan Apple Crisp Pizza. Use a vegan pie crust and vegan butter in place of the salted butter so the topping still mixes to that same wet sand texture.
- Pears or Mixed Berries. Not into apples? Swap the peeled and diced apples for pears or a mix of berries for a different take on this apple crumble pizza.
- Nutty Crumble Topping. Stir pecans or walnuts into the oat and brown sugar topping for extra crunch alongside the cinnamon and caramel flavors.
- Store-Bought Pizza Dough Base. In place of the pie crust, use store-bought pizza dough as the base for a different texture on this apple pizza pie.
- Frozen Apples Instead of Fresh. Frozen apples can be used in place of fresh peeled and diced apples when fresh ones are not on hand, keeping the rest of the caramel apple crisp pizza recipe the same.
What to Serve with Apple Crisp Pizza
This pizza is satisfying on its own, warm from the oven with that caramel drizzle and golden oat topping, and it also pairs nicely with something creamy on the side for a gathering. Since one bake gives you 12 servings, there is plenty to share around a table, so consider serving something savory earlier in the meal to balance all that cinnamon and brown sugar sweetness.
If you are planning out a whole spread and want a savory dish to serve before dessert, our Chicken Alfredo Pizza Fritta makes a good starting course, leaving this pizza for the sweet finish everyone will want seconds of.
Apple Crisp Pizza FAQ
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought pizza dough can stand in for the pie crust. Roll it thin so it still bakes up with that crisp, dessert pizza base.
Could you use frozen apples?
Yes, frozen apples work in this recipe. Let them thaw and drain off the excess liquid first so the crust does not turn soggy.
How do I serve Apple Crisp Pizza?
Serve it warm, cut into slices, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side if you like.
More Desserts to Try!
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch homemade or store-bought pie crust
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups peeled and diced apples Gala, Fiji, Braeburn, Empire recommended; approximately 4 apples
Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup salted butter softened
Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup caramel topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is ready for baking.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Roll out the pie crust to fit a 12-inch pizza pan. Fold under the edges to create a slightly elevated crust. This will form the base for the apple crisp pizza.
- Combine Sugar, Flour, and Cinnamon: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the white sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon. Add the peeled and diced apples to the mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Arrange the apple mixture in a single layer over the prepared pie crust, covering it completely.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon for the topping. Add the softened butter, and mix until the mixture resembles wet sand. Evenly sprinkle this topping over the apples.
- Bake: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
- Add Caramel Drizzle: Immediately after removing the pizza from the oven, drizzle the caramel topping over it. This will add a rich, sweet finish to the dessert.
- Serve: Cut the apple crisp pizza into slices and serve warm. For an enhanced dining experience, consider accompanying each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
