October 25, 2023
Review RecipeCaramel Apple Crisp Bites
These caramel apple crisp bites are an easily portable mini dessert option filled with apple filling and drizzled caramel for a taste of fall right in your mouth!
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Caramel apple crisp bites are a fun play on a classic fall dessert, and this recipe is so yummy and makes for the best mini apple crisp. Each bite is bursting with gooey, warm apple filling and drizzled caramel, all inside a crunchy graham cracker crust.
Caramel Apple Crisp Bites Ingredients
These caramel apple crisp bites are a delightful blend of sweet and comforting flavors.
They feature a graham cracker crust, caramel-infused apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a luxurious caramel sauce.
You’ll need:
- 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
- 12 tablespoons of butter, melted
- 4 cups of peeled, cored, and chopped apples
- ⅓ cup of sugar
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- 2¼ tablespoons of flour
- ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
- Caramel sauce
Substitutions And Additions
GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS: We used store-bought graham cracker crumbs in a can. They tend to work the best, and it saves time.
However, you could make your own graham cracker crumbs at home by crushing them up in a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin or by putting them in the food processor.
APPLES: Any type of apple will work, so you can use your favorites in your caramel apple crisp bites!
It’s so fun to take a trip to the orchard and pick your own apples to use in your recipe.
One thing I have found is that sweeter varieties tend to taste the best. Empire, Granny Smith, or Honey Crisp work well.
We used Golden Delicious in our recipe, and it turned out perfect. You could also opt for apple pie filling as an alternative in this recipe.
CINNAMON: Experiment with other warm spices like cardamom or cloves to add a unique twist to the flavor profile.
Each spice brings its own aromatic and warm notes to the dish.
NUTMEG: Consider using ground allspice or ginger instead of nutmeg for a distinct spice flavor.
These substitutions will offer a different, yet equally appealing, depth of flavor.
How To Make This Caramel Apple Crisp Bites Recipe
The graham crust is the perfect base to hold the apple crisp filling. Once this treat is baked, top it with caramel sauce and enjoy.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a mini muffin pan with non-stick butter spray.
STEP TWO: In a medium-sized bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter with a spoon (slowly add the butter and evenly distribute).
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Some people have found the crust recipe to work perfectly, while some others found the 12 tablespoons of butter were way to much and the butter started to pool.
It’s best to start by using a ½ cup of butter (8 tablespoons). Melt the butter and add slowly to the crumbs, a little bit at a time, making sure it’s not too wet. You can always add more or save the leftover butter for later. You want a soft dough that sticks together slightly when you try to form a ball, not a wet dough.
STEP THREE: Evenly distribute the mixture to the 24 mini muffin cups. Press along the bottom and sides to make a “cup”.
Bake for five minutes and let cool completely. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F.
STEP FOUR: Chop the apples into little pieces; I used a mini food processor. Don’t puree; just finely chop.
STEP FIVE: Mix apples, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
STEP SIX: Bake apples in a baking dish for 15 minutes at 375°F until the apples are slightly softened. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
STEP SEVEN: Scoop a teaspoon or so of the apple mixture and place it on top of the graham cracker crust cups while they are still in the muffin pan.
STEP EIGHT: Sprinkle any extra graham crackers on top of the apples if you have any leftovers.
STEP NINE: Bake for five minutes at 350°F. When finished baking, let them cool completely.
STEP TEN: Use a knife to loosen them from the pan, and they should pop right out.
PRO TIP:
Tempting as it may be to dig right in, give the bites time to cool before trying to pop them out of the pan or they may crack.
STEP ELEVEN: Drizzle them with caramel, serve, and enjoy!
How To Serve
Top off your caramel apple crisp bites with this creamy no churn vanilla ice cream. It is the perfect complement over the top of warm apple crisp.
Top each bite with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The light and airy texture of the whipped cream complements the rich, caramelized apples
You can also serve them alongside other fun bite-sized foods, including our mini cheeseball bites appetizers.
Transform your caramel apple crisp bites into a late-night treat by pairing them with a mug of hot apple cider or a cozy cup of chai tea.
Be sure to also try our other yummy, warm fruit desserts. Easy blackberry cobbler and caramel apple dump cake are both delicious and easy!
MORE APPLE RECIPES
Storage
Let’s talk about how to store them properly to keep that delightful flavor of this treat intact.
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get ahead of the game, you can prepare the caramel apple crisp bites up to 24 hours in advance.
Simply cover them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
IN THE FRIDGE: I recommend storing leftover caramel apple crisp cups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to four days.
I find that this will keep your ingredients the freshest. It also helps to keep the mini bites intact better.
When serving, you can always pop them in the microwave to warm them up and get the gooey filling you desire!
IN THE FREEZER: Store any leftovers in the freezer for up to a month.
Why We Love This Recipe
We are sure you’ll adore this recipe. Here’s why:
IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: These bites are bursting with the cozy, comforting flavors of caramel, warm spices, and tender apples. The combination of sweet and slightly tart apples with the rich caramel sauce is simply irresistible.
MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZER FRIENDLY: The flexibility to prepare these bites in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer means you can enjoy homemade dessert whenever you want, with minimal effort.
Caramel apple crisp bites are the perfect fall dessert to make after a trip to the orchard. Fresh, crisp apples make for a warm fruit filling, drizzled with a creamy caramel topping, all inside the perfect graham cracker crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What apples are the best for apple crisp recipes?
Sweet apples, including Empire, Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith, will work well in this recipe.
Can I use a different crust than the graham cracker crust?
Instead of the graham crumbs, you could use Nilla wafers or golden Oreo cookies for the crust.
Can I use apple pie filling instead of fresh chopped apples?
You can use apple pie filling, although if you do, we’d suggest skipping the step of baking the apples in the oven before scooping them into the crust.
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Caramel Apple Crisp Bites
These caramel apple crisp bites are an easily portable mini dessert option filled with apple filling and drizzled caramel for a taste of fall right in your mouth!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 24
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (I used store-bought in a can. I find these to work the best)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 12 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples (we used golden delicious)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2¼ tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- caramel topping, store-bought
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease pan with non-stick butter spray.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter with a spoon. Slowly add the butter and evenly distribute – PLEASE SEE UPDATE/NOTE BELOW.
- Evenly distribute the mixture to the 24 mini muffin cups. Press along the bottom and sides to make a “cup”.
- Bake for 5 minutes and let cool completely. Increase oven temperature to 375°F.
- Chop the apples into little pieces – I used a mini food processor. Don’t puree, just finely chop.
- Mix apples, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- Bake in a baking dish for 15 minutes on 375°F, until the apples are slightly softened. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- Scoop a teaspoon or so of the apple mix and place on top of the graham cracker crust cups (while still in the muffin pan).
- Sprinkle any extra graham cracker on top of the apples. I had some graham crackers left over.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 350°F.
- Let cool completely.
- Use a knife to loosen from the pan and they should pop right out.
- Drizzle with caramel topping.
Video
Notes
- Some people have found the crust recipe to work perfectly, while some others found the 12 tablespoons of butter were way too much and the butter started to pool. You may want to start by using ½ cup butter (8 tablespoons). Melt the butter and add slowly to the crumbs, a little bit at a time, making sure it’s not too wet. You can always add more or save the leftover butter for later. You want a soft dough that sticks together slightly when you try to form a ball, not a wet dough.
- Tempting as it may be to dig right in, give the bites time to cool before trying to pop them out of the pan or they may crack.
Nutrition
Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb
Comments
jay platte says
i love these! they are so easy to make! they’re so yummy too! 10/10.
Gloria says
These are so yummy – my kids love them!
Carol Trail says
Will these freeze okay?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Carol – I haven’t tried so I’m not sure how they would handle it! I would recommend storing in the fridge.
linda orr says
good recipes