Easy Apple Cranberry Crisp

Name: Apple Cranberry Crisp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: ½ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup old fashioned oats; ¼ cup packed light brown sugar; ¼ cup granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional); 6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter (cut into 1/2-inch pieces); 5 Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples; 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (see notes); 1 Tablespoon fresh orange juice; 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; Vanilla ice cream for serving

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by Haley // November 11, 2021 (updated September 13, 2026)

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Apple cranberry crisp brings together two of my favorite fall flavors in one easy dessert. Tart cranberries and fresh apples get tossed with orange zest and warm cinnamon, then baked under a buttery oat and pecan topping until golden and bubbly. Finish it with vanilla ice cream and dig in!

white bowl with apple cranberry crisp and scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple cranberry crisp is one of my favorite ways to use fresh cranberries when they start showing up at the store in the fall. We often think of cranberries as something reserved for cranberry sauce, but their tart flavor is so good in desserts, too. They add just the right amount of tang to balance the sweet apples and buttery topping, much like they do in my cranberry crumble bars.

I especially love how the cranberries pair with the fresh orange and warm spices in this crisp. The fruit gets soft and juicy while the topping bakes up golden and buttery, making every bite a great mix of sweet, tart, and crunchy.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

That buttery topping. Oats, pecans, and warm spices bake into a golden, buttery topping that adds the best contrast to the soft, juicy fruit. The texture is so good!
The orange is a must try. Fresh orange zest and juice add a bright pop of flavor. It’s a tip I picked up from Ina Garten’s apple pear crisp recipe and it works so well here.
Make it ahead. Assemble the crisp in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. You can also freeze it for later.
Great for any fall gathering. It’s an easy dessert for a dinner with friends, and it would be right at home on your Thanksgiving table served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredient Notes

apple cranberry crisp filling ingredients in bowls labeled with text.

crisp topping ingredients in bowls labeled with text.

Apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn are great choices for baking because they hold their shape and have plenty of flavor.
Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries work well. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them first.
Orange juice and zest: Fresh is best for both. The fresh citrus adds a bright flavor that really complements the apples and cranberries.
Butter: Use cold butter for the crisp topping. It helps create those delicious buttery, crumbly bits as it bakes.
Pecans: The pecans add a nice crunch, but they’re optional. Feel free to leave them out if needed.

Refer to the recipe card for ingredient details and measurements.

Recipe Variations

Add pears. Replace half of the apples with ripe but firm pears for a slightly softer, sweeter fruit filling.

Skip the cranberries. Want to keep it classic? Try my easy apple crisp with oats.

Make it gluten-free. Use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the topping.

Nuts. Swap the pecans for walnuts, or use a mix of both for extra crunch.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Crisp

photo collage demonstrating how to make crisp topping.

For the crisp topping, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and chopped pecans in a bowl.
Add cold butter pieces and using a pastry cutter (or your hands) incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly and resembles coarse, wet sand. Set aside.

photo collage demonstrating how to make filling and assemble apple cranberry crisp.

For the filling, peel, core and cut the apples into slices about ¼-inch thick. Place the apples in a large bowl and add cranberries.
Toss the fruit with orange juice, orange zest, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Transfer the mixture into prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle crisp topping evenly over apple cranberry filling. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the crisp topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Allow crisp to cool for 10 minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream.

Expert Tips

Keep the butter cold. Cold butter is key to a crisp, crumbly topping. Cut it into the topping ingredients until you have small, pea-sized pieces of butter. If the butter gets too soft, chill the topping for 15 minutes before adding it to the fruit.

Choose apples that hold their shape. Honeycrisp and Granny Smith are my favorites, but you can use a mix of your favorite crisp baking apples. Using apples with good texture keeps the filling from turning mushy.

Bake until bubbly. Look for golden-brown edges and fruit juices bubbling around the sides. That’s a good sign the apples are tender and the topping is nicely crisp.

Let it cool before serving. Give the crisp about 10 minutes to cool once it comes out of the oven. This gives the juices time to thicken so the filling isn’t too runny when you serve it.

apple cranberry crisp serving with scoop of vanilla ice cream in white bowl.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Make ahead. Apple cranberry crisp is a great make-ahead dessert. Bake as directed, let it cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Store leftovers. Once completely cooled, cover the crisp tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also transfer leftovers to an airtight container.

Freeze. Let the crisp cool completely, then cover the entire baking dish with two layers of aluminum foil to help prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to reheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the cover and reheat the crisp for 15 to 20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Recipe FAQ

Can I add pears to this crisp?

Yes, you can replace two apples with two pears. I suggest Bosc pears for baking, but Anjou pears also work as an alternative.

Can I use gluten free flour?

Yes. Gluten free flour and oats may be used in this recipe.

Can I use steel cut oats in the crisp topping?

I do not recommend steel cut oats because the crisp topping will have a tough, grainy texture.

Can I use dried cranberries?

The dessert will have a different texture and flavor so I personally do not prefer dried cranberries. However, if that is all you have, you can substitute with 1/3 cup dried cranberries.