Apple Harvest Desserts: Crisps, Tarts & More (Cooking)

It’s apple season! Today we’re keeping it simple with easy desserts you can make on a weeknight. Nothing fancy—just warm, cozy, and delicious. You’ll find quick swaps, short ingredient lists, and steps that are easy to follow.

Best apples for baking (use what you have)

• Granny Smith – tart, holds shape, great in crisps and tarts.
• Honeycrisp – sweet-tart, juicy, crowd-pleaser.
• Pink Lady – firm, bright flavor, nice balance.
• Fuji or Gala – sweeter, softer; mix with a tart apple if you can.

Base apple mix (use for many desserts)

For 6 cups sliced apples:

• 3–4 tbsp brown sugar (to taste)
• 1–2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1–2 tsp cornstarch (helps thicken)
• Pinch of salt

Toss apples with the mix. Taste and adjust sugar or cinnamon.

Weeknight Apple Crisp

Serves 4–6

Ingredients

• 6 cups apple slices (use Base apple mix above)
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup flour (or almond flour)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 tbsp cold butter (or coconut oil)

Steps

1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread apples in an 8-inch baking dish.
3. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
4. Sprinkle topping over apples.
5. Bake 30–35 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Rest 10 minutes.

Skillet Cinnamon Apples (stovetop)

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups apple slices
• 2 tbsp butter (or coconut oil)
• 2–3 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Steps

6. Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter.
7. Add apples, sugar/maple, cinnamon, and salt. Stir.
8. Cook 6–8 minutes until tender with a light syrup. Stir in vanilla.
9. Serve warm over yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream.

Easy Sheet-Pan Apple Tart (store-bought puff pastry)

Serves 6–8

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 4 cups thinly sliced apples (tossed in Base apple mix)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1–2 tbsp coarse sugar (optional)

Steps

10. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment.
11. Lay puff pastry on the pan. Brush edges with egg wash.
12. Arrange apples in rows. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top.
13. Bake 18–22 minutes, until pastry is puffed and golden.
14. Let cool 10 minutes. Slice and serve.

No-Bake Apple Yogurt Parfaits

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt (or dairy-free)
• 2 cups Skillet Cinnamon Apples (or diced raw apples + cinnamon)
• 1 cup granola
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Steps

15. Layer yogurt, apples, and granola in glasses.
16. Drizzle with maple syrup if you like. Serve right away.

Air Fryer Baked Apples

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 firm apples (cored, halved)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp chopped nuts or oats (optional)
• 1 tbsp butter (or coconut oil)

Steps

17. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts/oats.
18. Place apples cut-side up in air fryer basket. Fill centers with the mix; dot with butter.
19. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10–14 minutes, until tender.
20. Serve warm with yogurt or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Easy swaps

• Gluten-free: use almond flour or a 1:1 GF blend; GF oats if needed.
• Dairy-free/vegan: use coconut oil instead of butter; dairy-free yogurt.
• Less sugar: cut sugar by half; add more cinnamon and a splash of lemon.
• Spice it up: add nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin spice to taste.

Make-ahead & storage

• Apple crisp: cool, cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat at 300°F until warm.
• Skillet apples: chill up to 4 days; warm on the stovetop with a splash of water.
• Tarts: best day-of; crisp back up in a 350°F oven for a few minutes.
• Parfaits: assemble just before serving so granola stays crunchy.

Serving ideas

• Top with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt.
• Add a drizzle of warm caramel or maple syrup.
• Finish with toasted nuts for crunch (pecans or walnuts).