Name: Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup rolled oats; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; 4 tbsp butter (melted and cooled slightly); ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1.1 flour); Pinch of salt; Optional: ¼ cup chopped pecans (or substitute walnuts); 5 cups Granny Smith apples (peeled and thinly sliced); ½ lemon (juiced); 1 cup sugar; Pinch of salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/16 tsp ground cloves; 1/16 tsp ground nutmeg; ½ cup water; 2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp water (slurry); 1 sourdough pizza crust (premade or test dough)

If you love the cozy flavors of fall desserts but want to switch things up a bit, you’re going to adore this Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe. It’s like your favorite apple crisp and a warm pizza had a delicious baby—crisp cinnamon apples piled on a sourdough crust with a buttery oat topping that’s nothing short of magical. I promise, whether you’re making it for a crowd or just a sweet treat for yourself, this recipe is straight-up fan-freaking-tastic and will quickly become a seasonal staple.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Unique Twist on Apple Crisp: It’s apple crisp, but on pizza, giving you an unexpected, fun way to enjoy dessert.
Easy to Make: You don’t need to make the crust from scratch unless you want to—using premade sourdough pizza crust saves so much time.
Perfect Balance of Textures: The crisp oat topping contrasts beautifully with soft, cinnamon-spiced apples and a chewy crust.
Festive Fall Flavors: It’s loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making it feel like a warm hug in every bite.

The image shows two clear glass bowls on a white marbled surface. The bowl on the left is rectangular and filled with a thick layer of cooked apple pieces in a shiny brown syrup, with the apple chunks evenly spread. The bowl on the right is round and contains a crumble mixture made of light brown oats and sugar, with a spoon inside, showing a grainy and crumbly texture. Both bowls are positioned close to each other, emphasizing the contrast between the soft apple filling and the rough crumble topping. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe combines pantry staples with fresh apples for a sweet-and-spiced treat. Choosing Granny Smith apples is key—they hold their shape while providing that perfect tartness to cut through the sweetness.

Rolled oats: Gives the topping that classic apple crisp crunch and heartiness.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice—it’s the soul of this dish.
Butter: Melted butter creates that rich, crumbly topping you’ll be obsessed with.
All-purpose flour: Or gluten-free alternative—helps bind the topping.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): Adds a lovely nutty texture if you’re feeling fancy.
Granny Smith apples: Peeled and thinly sliced for the perfect tender bite with a slight tart edge.
Lemon juice: To keep those apples from browning and add a slight zing.
Sugar: Sweetens the apples without overpowering the natural flavor.
Ground cloves & nutmeg: Just a tiny pinch to deepen the spiced flavor.
Water: Helps cook the apples into a luscious filling.
Cornstarch slurry: Thickens the apple topping so it’s not too runny.
Sourdough pizza crust: I love using premade for ease, but if you want to make your own, go for it!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I absolutely love mixing things up with this Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe to suit the season or dietary needs. It’s such a forgiving dish—you can tweak it your way without losing any of that signature warmth.

Nut-Free Version: I used to skip nuts for allergies, and the topping still stays wonderfully crumbly and flavorful without them.
Vegan Twist: Swap butter for coconut oil and use a vegan pizza crust—delicious, and still hits all those cozy notes.
Add Extra Spice: If you love a bigger punch, try adding ground ginger or allspice to the apples for an even more complex flavor.
Seasonal Fruit Combo: Sometimes I add pears or toss in a handful of fresh cranberries for fun, especially around the holidays.

How to Make Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oat Topping

Start by melting your butter and letting it cool just enough so it’s warm but not hot—that way, it mixes beautifully without melting your dry ingredients too much. In a bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, flour, salt, and if you’re using nuts, toss those in now. Pour in your butter and use your fingers or a fork to break it up until you get large, crumbly clumps—just like the perfect apple crisp topping. This is what gives you that irresistible texture.

Step 2: Cook the Apple Filling

Next, bring your apples, lemon juice, sugar, salt, spices, and water into a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the apples start to soften and release their juices—usually around 8–10 minutes. Mix your cornstarch with water to make the slurry, then stir it into the apples to thicken everything up and create that luscious, saucy texture you want. When it looks glossy and thickened, you’re good to go.

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lay your sourdough pizza crust on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread the warm apple filling evenly over the crust, then sprinkle the oat topping generously on top. This layering is what makes the “pizza” part fun and super inviting. Make sure you get some of those big oat clusters on top so the topping is nice and chunky after baking.

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy

Bake your apple crisp pizza for about 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crisp and the crust’s edges are nicely browned. You’ll know it’s done when you get that warm, cinnamony aroma filling your kitchen that makes it impossible to wait. Let it cool slightly before slicing—it’s tempting to dive in immediately, but a few minutes helps the filling set for perfect slices.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe

Use Tart Apples: Granny Smith apples keep their shape and add a fresh tang that’s crucial to balancing the sweetness.
Don’t Overcook the Filling: You want the apples soft but still with bite, so keep an eye on them as they cook and add the cornstarch slurry just before they’re done.
Crumble Topping Texture: For the best topping, break up the butter and dry mix until you have large crumbs, not fine crumbs—this creates that perfect crunchy texture.
Let It Cool Before Slicing: The filling needs a few minutes to firm up after baking, otherwise it’s a gooey mess when you cut into it.

How to Serve Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe

A close-up of a single slice of dessert pizza resting on a wooden surface, showing three main layers: a thick, light golden-brown pizza crust with visible air pockets at the bottom; a middle layer of chunky, caramelized apple topping mixed with oats, creating a textured brown and tan layer sprinkled with some charred bits; and a top layer of white glaze drizzled unevenly over the apple mixture, adding a creamy contrast. In the background, a second slice of the same pizza is slightly out of focus, along with a whole red apple, all set on a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping my apple crisp pizza with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce—such a dreamy combo! A sprinkle of chopped fresh nuts or a dusting of powdered sugar also adds a festive touch and extra texture. Sometimes, a dollop of whipped cream is just what you need for that extra indulgence.

Side Dishes

This dessert stands on its own, but if you want to make a meal out of it, I’ve loved serving it alongside a simple green salad with sharp vinaigrette for contrast, or a warm cup of spiced chai tea which just amplifies all the fall vibes.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, try cutting the apple crisp pizza into small, bite-sized squares and placing them on a rustic wooden board with small dessert forks—perfect for parties. Another fun idea is to wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with twine for gifting or potlucks. I’ve even served it in mini cast iron skillets for a charming, personal touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover apple crisp pizza keeps beautifully in the fridge—just cover it loosely with foil or store in an airtight container. When I’ve saved slices overnight, the topping stays surprisingly crisp if you reheat it properly, which is such a win.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this apple crisp pizza successfully by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before popping it in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in the oven for the best texture—microwaving makes topping soggy, so try to avoid that.

Reheating

To reheat, I preheat my oven to 350°F and place the pizza on a baking sheet for about 10–15 minutes until warmed through and the topping crisps up again. This method revives that perfect contrast of soft apples and crunchy oat topping.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of crust for Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe?

Absolutely! While I love how the sourdough crust adds a subtle tang and chewy texture, you can use any pizza crust you prefer—store-bought or homemade. Even a thick flatbread can work if you want more base-to-topping ratio.
Can I make the topping ahead of time?

Yes, the oat topping can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Give it a quick stir before using to break up any clumps and ensure it bakes up perfectly crisp.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

It can be! Just use a gluten-free flour blend for the topping and ensure your pizza crust is gluten-free as well. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
What’s the best apple for this recipe?

Granny Smith apples are my go-to because they’re tart, hold their shape during cooking, and balance the sweetness perfectly. You could experiment with Honeycrisp or Pink Lady, but watch the cooking time since they tend to get softer faster.
Can I double the recipe?

Definitely. I’ve made double batches when feeding a crowd. Just make sure you have enough oven space or bake the pizzas one at a time for best results.

Final Thoughts

When I first tried the Apple Crisp Pizza Recipe, I was blown away by how something so simple could feel so special. It’s that perfect blend of comfort food and creativity that’s hard to resist. I love how it brings the whole family to the kitchen, the warm aromas filling the air, and the way it’s just a little unexpected yet utterly satisfying. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become your go-to fall dessert that you look forward to all year round. Go ahead, give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!