Bite-Sized Apple Crisp Cups are absolutely delightful! They’re perfect when wanting to impress without stress.
The warm, cinnamon-spiced apples nestled in crispy phyllo shells, topped with that irresistible buttery crumble create magic in every bite.
These mini treats make excellent additions to gatherings, and guests always ask for the recipe.
Don’t we all crave those perfect little desserts that combine ease and elegance?
Once tried, these mini treats quickly become a signature sweet.
Ingredients
- Mini phyllo shells
- Apples
- Water
- Sugar (granulated or brown)
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Oats
- All-purpose flour
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Lemon juice
- Caramel bits (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
Recommended Tools
Creating these adorable Bite-Sized Apple Crisp Cups is a breeze when you have the right tools on hand. These kitchen essentials will help you prep, bake and serve these delightful treats with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
- Saucepan
Essential for simmering the apple filling until perfectly tender and infused with spices.
- Vegetable Peeler
Makes quick work of peeling apples without wasting precious fruit.
- Sharp Knife
Needed for dicing apples into small, even pieces that will cook uniformly.
- Baking Sheet
Provides stable support for your delicate phyllo shells during baking.
- Mixing Bowls
Perfect for combining the oat crumble ingredients before assembling your cups.
- Measuring Spoons
Ensures the right balance of cinnamon, nutmeg and other ingredients for perfect flavor.
- Pastry Cutter
Makes cutting cold butter into the crumble mixture quick and efficient.
- Small Spoon
Helps you neatly fill each phyllo shell without making a mess.
Instructions
Ready to whip up the cutest dessert for your next gathering? These bite-sized treats are as delicious as they’re adorable!
1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F – this perfect temperature will make your phyllo shells extra crispy!
2. In a saucepan, combine your 2-3 peeled and diced apples with 2 tablespoons of water, 2-3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg. Let this mixture simmer over medium-low heat for about 5-6 minutes.
You’re looking for apples that are slightly softened but not mushy – they’ll continue cooking in the oven!
3. While your apple mixture cools slightly, make your irresistible crumble topping. Mix ½ cup of oats, ¼ cup of all-purpose flour, ¼ cup of brown sugar, and a dash more cinnamon in a bowl.
Now for the fun part – cut in 6 tablespoons of cold, cubed butter until the mixture looks deliciously crumbly. Don’t be afraid to use your fingers if needed!
4. Arrange your mini phyllo shells (about 15) on a baking sheet. These little cups are about to become flavor vessels!
5. Using a small spoon, fill each shell with your apple mixture. Don’t worry if some juice drips – that’s just extra flavor!
6. Sprinkle your oat crumble generously over each filled shell. The more, the merrier!
7. Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops turn golden brown and your kitchen smells like heaven.
8. Let these little beauties cool for a few minutes before serving. For an extra touch of decadence, top with caramel bits or a dollop of whipped cream!
Your guests won’t believe these gourmet-looking treats came from your kitchen in less than an hour. Go ahead and take all the credit – you deserve it!
Pro Tips
For a time-saving shortcut, prepare the apple filling and crumble topping a day ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator,
then simply assemble and bake when needed for a quick dessert that tastes freshly made.
Substitutions & Variations
These apple crisp cups can be customized in countless ways to suit your taste preferences, dietary needs, or seasonal ingredients.
- Pear or Peach Twist: Substitute diced pears or peaches for apples and add a pinch of cardamom for a different fruit flavor profile.
- Berry Delicious: Replace half the apples with fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a tangy-sweet combination.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use certified gluten-free oats and replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
- Nutty Crumble: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the crumble topping for extra crunch and flavor.
- Dairy-Free Variation: Substitute cold coconut oil for butter in the crumble mixture and top with coconut whipped cream.
- Spiced Chai Version: Add a pinch of ginger, cardamom, and cloves to the apple mixture for a chai-inspired flavor profile.
Leftovers & Storage Tips
While you’re getting creative with your apple crisp cup variations, let’s talk about what to do with any leftovers you might have!
Store these little treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Just pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to re-crisp before serving!
The phyllo shells won’t stay crispy forever, so enjoy them quickly!
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Bite-Sized Apple Crisp Cups in Phyllo Shells
Delicious mini apple crisp desserts served in crispy phyllo shells, perfect for parties or portion control.
- Mini phyllo shells (about 15)
- 2-3 apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp water
- 2-3 tbsp sugar (granulated or brown)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup oats
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp cold butter, cubed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Optional: caramel bits or whipped cream for topping
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Simmer apples with water, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg over medium-low heat about 5–6 minutes until slightly softened.
- Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon; cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Place phyllo shells on a baking sheet.
- Spoon apple filling into each shell.
- Top with oat crumble.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Cool before serving; optionally top with caramel bits or whipped cream.
