Craving a simple dessert? This easy apple crisp has you covered with just three ingredients—apple pie filling, cake mix, and melted butter. The sweet apples make a luscious base, while the buttery, golden cake mix topping adds the perfect crunch. It’s a cozy, no-fuss fall treat that’s ready in no time and sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.
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Why This is the Best Apple Crisp Recipe
This apple crisp is a breeze to make with just three ingredients and hardly any prep time. The combo of sweet apple filling and buttery cake mix topping is totally irresistible, making it a go-to treat.
Plus, you can switch things up by using different pie fillings or cake mixes, so it’s easy to customize for any occasion. Whether you enjoy it hot or cold with a scoop of ice cream, it’s always delicious. Best of all, it’s budget-friendly and perfect for feeding a crowd!
Easy Apple Crisp Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Apple Pie Filling: To make a 9x13 size dessert, you will need to use two cans (21 ounces each) of your favorite brand of canned apple pie filling. I used Duncan Hines, but any brand will work. You can even used reduced sugar pie filling to cut down on calories and sugar.
- Butter: You will need one cup (2 sticks) of melted butter for this recipe. I recommend using unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the final product.
- Cake Mix: For this apple crisp topping, you can use any flavor of cake mix that you prefer. I have used yellow or white cake mix, for a classic and simple taste, but you can experiment with different flavors like spice or butter pecan to enhance the flavor.
How to Make Cake Mix Apple Crisp Dessert
[Step 1] Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and spread the cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom.
[Step 2] In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and the cake mix.
[Step 3] Crumble topping mixture over the top of the pie filling (using a spoon or clean hands) and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes until the topping begins to turn golden brown.
[Step 4] Remove from the oven and allow the cobbler to rest for 10 minutes before serving with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Can Opener
- Silicone Spatula
How to Store Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which is highly unlikely!) of this delicious apple crisp, you can store them in an airtight container, or covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the apple crisp before baking for an easy make-ahead dessert option. Just thaw and bake when ready to serve.
Apple Cobbler Recipe Variations
- For a decadent twist, add caramel sauce or chopped pecans to the top of the apple crisp before baking.
- For a seasonal variation, use pumpkin pie filling and spice cake mix for a delicious fall treat.
- Sprinkle the top of the cobbler with quick oats or old-fashioned oats to add to the depth of the crumb topping.
- Add a teaspoon ground cinnamon to the cake mix topping mixture for a warm, spicy flavor.
Love easy recipes like this apple crisp? Try this 3 Ingredient Pineapple Dump Cake!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use fresh apples instead of canned pie filling? Yes, you can use fresh apples if you prefer. Simply slice them and toss them in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch before using as the base for your apple crisp.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes, you can make this recipe a gluten free apple crisp by using a gluten-free cake mix and ensuring that all other ingredients used are also gluten-free.
- Is this recipe vegan? No, this recipe contains butter which is not suitable for a vegan diet. However, you can substitute the butter with a vegan-friendly alternative, such as coconut oil.
- Can I cut this recipe in half? Yes! An easy way to do this is to use one can of apple pie filling in a 9 inch pie dish, use ½ cup of butter, and ½ of the cake mix. You will want to keep an eye on it and adjust the bake time if necessary.
Final Thoughts
This simple apple crisp is the perfect dessert for any occasion during the fall season and will quickly become a favorite dessert recipe. With its simple ingredients and customizable options, it's sure to become a family favorite in no time. Give it a try today and see for yourself!
More Apple Dessert Recipes:
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3 Ingredient Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 2 (21 Ounce) Cans Apple Pie Filling
- 1 Box Cake Mix
- 1 Cup Butter melted
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and spread the cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom.
- In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and the cake mix.
- Crumble topping mixture over the top of the pie filling (using a spoon or clean hands) and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes until the topping begins to turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cobbler to rest for 10 minutes before serving with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
