Go Back

Apple Betty

Apple betty baked in a 9x13 dish with layered spiced apples and a buttery breadcrumb topping that turns deeply golden and crispy. Expect tender apple slices tucked between crisp crumbs for a warm, spoonable dessert.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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
  • 4 cup fresh breadcrumbs from day-old bread
Butter
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apples
  • 6 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
Brown sugar
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar, packed
Cinnamon
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
Nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
Allspice
  • 0.25 tsp allspice
Lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
Lemon zest
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
Apple cider or water
  • 0.25 cup apple cider or water
Serving
  • 1 Vanilla ice cream or heavy cream for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Preheat and prepare the baking dish
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish, so the sides are lightly coated and nothing sticks.
Make the breadcrumb topping
  1. Toss the fresh breadcrumbs with the melted unsalted butter until evenly coated, and look for crumbs that clump slightly when pressed.
Season the apples
  1. Mix the apple slices with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the apples look glossy and evenly spiced.
Assemble the layers
  1. Spread 1/3 of the buttered breadcrumbs in the bottom of the dish, forming a thin, even base.
First apple layer
  1. Layer half the apple mixture over the breadcrumbs and drizzle with half the apple cider, distributing liquid so it reaches the edges.
Second apple layer
  1. Repeat with another layer of breadcrumbs, remaining apples, and the remaining cider, finishing with the final layer of breadcrumbs on top.
Bake
  1. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 375°F until the top is deeply golden and crispy and the apples are tender, with bubbling juices around the edges.
Serve
  1. Let the Apple Betty stand briefly, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream or heavy cream.

Notes

For the crispiest top, press the final breadcrumb layer lightly so it browns evenly. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the crumb topping can soften. For a dairy-light option, use plant-based butter in the topping and serve with coconut cream instead of ice cream or heavy cream.