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Apple Betty

Apple Betty is a classic American baked dessert with spiced, tender apple layers tucked under a deeply golden, buttery breadcrumb crust. The breadcrumb topping turns crisp while the apples soften, creating a warm, sliceable betty with visible layers.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

breadcrumbs topping base
  • 4 cup fresh breadcrumbs from day-old bread Use day-old bread for best crisp texture.
butter binder
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted Melted butter helps the crumbs brown and crisp.
apple layer
  • 6 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced Slice thin so they bake tender in 40–45 minutes.
sweetener
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar, packed Packed for deeper caramel notes.
spice mix
  • 2 tsp cinnamon Ground cinnamon for warm apple flavor.
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg Nutmeg adds a classic baked depth.
  • 0.25 tsp allspice Allspice supports the spiced, old-fashioned profile.
citrus brightness
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice Prevents flat flavor and balances sweetness.
  • 1 tsp lemon zest Adds fragrance to the apple layers.
moisture for baking
  • 0.25 cup apple cider or water Helps create tender apples and a lightly sauced interior.
serving
  • 1 Vanilla ice cream or heavy cream for serving Serve warm for contrast to the crisp topping.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep the pan and crumb topping
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish so the betty releases cleanly after baking.
  2. Toss the fresh breadcrumbs with the melted unsalted butter until evenly coated, then set aside and look for crumbs that are glossy and fully buttered.
Season the apples
  1. Mix the thinly sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the apple slices look evenly speckled and slightly glossy.
Assemble the layers
  1. Spread 1/3 of the buttered breadcrumbs in the bottom of the greased dish to create a crisp base layer.
  2. Layer half the apple mixture over the breadcrumbs, then drizzle with half the apple cider or water so there’s moisture between layers.
  3. Repeat by adding another layer of breadcrumbs, then add the remaining apples and drizzle with the remaining apple cider or water.
  4. Finish with the final layer of breadcrumbs on top for a golden, crunchy crust.
Bake and serve
  1. Bake for 40–45 minutes at 375°F until the top is deeply golden and crispy and the apples are tender, with the edges bubbling slightly.
  2. Let cool briefly, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream or heavy cream for a creamy contrast to the crisp topping.

Notes

Pro tip: use thinly sliced apples for tender layers without extending bake time. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat portions in a 325°F oven until warmed through and the top is re-crisped (about 10–15 minutes). Freezing is not recommended because the breadcrumb topping can soften after thawing. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat butter and swap heavy cream with a lower-fat ice cream while keeping the crumb-bake method the same.