Apple Crisp Cups with Streusel Topping 🧁🍎

The Perfect Bite-Sized Fall Dessert You’ll Want to Make Again and Again

There’s something utterly comforting about a warm, cinnamon-kissed apple dessert—and when it’s made into individual cups topped with buttery streusel? Absolute perfection. These Apple Crisp Cups with Streusel Topping are the cozy, delicious treat your dessert table has been craving. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday gathering, an autumn brunch, or just need a sweet bite-sized pick-me-up, this easy homemade version is a crowd favorite.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to make these delicious apple crisp cups from scratch, complete with golden-brown streusel topping, a warm apple cinnamon filling, and a flaky or chewy crust base (your choice!). We’ve also included expert tips, storage instructions, nutritional breakdown, and FAQs so you nail this recipe every time.

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🥧 What Are Apple Crisp Cups?

Apple crisp cups are a portable twist on traditional apple crisp. Instead of baking the dessert in a large dish, the apple filling and crispy topping are baked in muffin tins or ramekins to create individually portioned mini crisps. They’re bite-sized, adorable, and downright irresistible. The streusel topping adds a delicious crunch and buttery flavor that perfectly balances the soft and juicy apples beneath.

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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Easy and quick to make—ready in under an hour

• ✅ Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients

• ✅ Perfect for parties, potlucks, or cozy nights in

• ✅ Customizable crust or crust-free options

• ✅ Freezer-friendly for make-ahead desserts

• ✅ Smells like fall in your kitchen!

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🛒 Ingredients for Apple Crisp Cups with Streusel Topping

Here’s everything you’ll need to create these heavenly mini desserts:

For the Apple Filling:

• 3 cups apples (peeled, cored, and diced—Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 tablespoon flour (to thicken the juices)

For the Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup old-fashioned oats

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ⅓ cup light brown sugar

• ¼ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

Optional Crust Base (for added texture):

• 1 sheet of store-bought refrigerated pie dough or homemade shortbread cookie dough

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🍎 How to Make Apple Crisp Cups – Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin generously with butter or nonstick spray. Dice your apples uniformly so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

In a medium bowl, toss together the diced apples, both sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes so the juices start releasing.

Step 3: Make the Streusel

In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it in until crumbly and chunky.

Step 4: Add Crust (Optional)

Cut out small circles of pie dough to fit the bottom of your muffin tin. Press gently into each cup to form a base crust. You can skip this if you prefer a gluten-free or lighter version.

Step 5: Assemble the Cups

Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the apple mixture into each muffin cup, filling almost to the top. Sprinkle a generous amount of streusel topping over each cup.

Step 6: Bake

Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 22–26 minutes, or until the streusel is golden and the apples are bubbling. Let them cool for 10–15 minutes before removing.

Step 7: Serve

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. 🍨

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📊 Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 1 Crisp Cup)

Note: Nutrition varies slightly based on crust option used.

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💡 Tips & Variations

Expert Tips:

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor balance.

• Keep your streusel cold before baking—it’ll be crunchier and won’t melt.

• Grease muffin tins well to prevent sticking, especially without crust.

• Let the cups cool before removing to keep them intact.

Fun Variations:

• Add chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) to the streusel for crunch.

• Make them gluten-free with almond flour and gluten-free oats.

• Spice it up with apple pie spice or a dash of cardamom.

• Swap apples for pears, berries, or even peaches for seasonal variety.

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🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storing:

• Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

• Freeze baked apple crisp cups in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.

Reheating:

• Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10 minutes to crisp up the topping again.

• Microwave for 30 seconds for a quick single-serve treat (but topping may be softer).

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❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfilling muffin cups: They may overflow or become too soggy.

• Using warm butter for streusel: You’ll lose that crumbly texture.

• Underbaking: Make sure the apples are soft and the top is golden brown.

• Skipping cooling time: They’ll fall apart if removed too soon from the pan.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I make these apple crisp cups ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble and refrigerate them up to 24 hours in advance, then bake fresh when needed. Or bake and freeze them for later.

Q2: What are the best apples to use?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples hold their shape and give the best sweet-tart balance.

Q3: Can I make this recipe without oats?

Absolutely! Just replace the oats with more flour or crushed graham crackers for a different texture.

Q4: Can I make these in ramekins instead of muffin tins?

Yes, ramekins work perfectly! Just adjust the baking time slightly (add 3–5 minutes if needed).

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📣 Final Thoughts – Save & Share This Recipe!

These Apple Crisp Cups with Streusel Topping are the kind of cozy dessert you’ll find yourself making again and again—especially when fall rolls around. They’re warm, comforting, and made with love in every bite. Whether you serve them at a dinner party or bake them for a solo sweet treat, they’re bound to be a hit.

💌 Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest board, share it on Facebook, or send it to a fellow dessert lover. Every crisp cup is a tiny bite of autumn joy!