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Perfect for camping or tailgating, a grilled apple crisp in a foil pack is a deliciously simple and portable version of the classic.
I want to love camping. I really do. I love the idea of settling in around a blazing fire, toasting a couple of marshmallows on the perfect stick until gooey and charred. Coffee in a metal pot. Fried eggs in a cast iron skillet nestled into the coals.
But then the reality of it all kicks in. The tent so hot it’s suffocating in the morning. Showering (or the lack thereof). And don’t even get me started on nocturnal wildlife.
See the part of me that really wants to go camping has so many great ideas for camping food. Hearty stews, pancakes over the fire and s’mores everything. But the other part of me that is a camping-phobe (and that’s about 85% of me) says why not stay at home with running water and AC and have a camping inspired meal instead.
Ideas for camping dinners come easy. Burgers and dogs, skewered kabobs, beans, and baked potatoes with all the fixings. But desserts, well, it often begins and ends with s’mores. And don’t get me wrong, I love s’mores. But sometimes you need to branch out.
And since a popular cooking method for fish and veggies is a foil pack, why not an easy dessert? This grilled apple crisp cooked in a foil pack is as delicious as it is simple.
Let’s make Grilled Apple Crisp
- Toss chopped apples with lemon juice and sugar. Mix together a sugar and oat topping. Tear off a piece of non-stick foil and spoon on the apples and cover with a big scoop of the oat topping.
- Fold in half and crimp the edges.
- Place the crimped pouch on a piece of heavy duty foil and fold over and seal.
- Grill for 20 mins, open and enjoy! Even better…top with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. YUM.
This recipe is a good fit for a camping aficionado or foe. And with the fall rolling around (even though I’m still in denial), it would also make a great sweet alternative for your tailgate.
If you’re a little more adventurous than me, mix up the oat topping in advance, grab a few apples and some foil and pack it for your next excursion. But trust me, this homey dessert tastes just as good sitting comfortably at my kitchen table. Or if I’m feeling particularly outdoorsy, my picnic table. Enjoy!
- 2 firm apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 oz unsalted butter, softened (1/2 stick)
- * non-stick foil and heavy duty foil
- ** vanilla ice cream and cinnamon for serving
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Toss apples with sugar and lemon juice and set aside.
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Combine remaining ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well until fully combined.
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Tear off four 11 inch pieces of non-stick foil. Alternatively spray four pieces of foil well with non-stick cooking spray. Tear off four 11 inch pieces of heavy duty foil and set aside.
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Set your grill to med/low heat.
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Spoon 1/4 of the apples on one half of a piece of non-stick foil and top with 1/4 topping.
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Fold foil over in half and crimp the edges.
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Place crimped pouch on a piece of heavy duty foil and fold in half and seal edges.
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Repeat with remaining three servings.
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Place on grill and cook for 20 mins. Remove and carefully open each pouch.
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Transfer to plates and serve with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon if desired.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
I’m with you and love the idea of camping food but not the tent sleeping. This looks so creative – love foil pack grilling!
Cathy says
right?! tents are for parties Karen!
rebecca| DisplacedHousewife says
I love the idea of a camping crisp!!! You’re talking to someone that takes all the pillows, all the down comforters and every nice home-comfort item camping. I LOVE THIS!!! xoxo
Cathy says
now that’s my kind of camping Rebecca!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
What a great idea Cathy!! I also love the food aspect of camping, but not much else unfortunately! This crisp would be a huge plus to get me camping!
Cathy says
we’re so like-minded Mary Ann! eating them on our decks instead of next to tents!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Hahaha! Oh I am SOOO with you! I love the idea of camping, but the actual doing it thing?! I can’t. I NEED A/C, a shower and definitely a bed! While I will pass on the camping, I definitely do not want to miss out on this apple crisp!! Love that you did these in aluminum foil and grilled them! GENIUS and seriously delicious!! Good thing I have a charcoal grill on my deck, so I will just be making these from the comfort of my own home. Winning! 😉 Cheers, Cathy!
Cathy says
trust me Cheyanne, they’re just as good at home!!
Natasha says
This is such a great idea even though I will never go camping hahaha. “Glamping” maybe… but I’m more of a 5-star hotel kinda girl. I’d be ok doing a bonfire and making these then going back inside 😉
Cathy says
i’m with you! hotels and running water all the way!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I love this idea! We don’t really camp (feel the same way :), but we do have bonfires in our yard on a regular basis and we love cooking things on them. Will definitely try this next time 🙂
Cathy says
Bonfires in the yard and cooking there sounds like the perfect camping solution to me!!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
I think this dessert would be excellent on my grill on the comfort of my deck. This is a great idea for all us camping phobes who want some crisp when it’s too hot to turn on the oven.
Cathy says
Maybe we should make deck camping a thing Annemarie!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
Years ago, hubby and I would camp all the time in a tent and we absolutely LOVED it! But, I’m pretty sure we loved the food the most. Nothing tastes as good as food cooked in a cast iron pan over fire! These days, I’m pretty sure I would prefer the comforts of air conditioning, hot water, my bed and tv over camping in the woods with spiders<—-don't even get me started on those, lol 😀 They freak me out!
I love this little foil packet dessert! So perfect camping or not! What a brilliant idea. This is as much camping that I want to do these days and I'm perfectly fine with that 🙂
Cathy says
It seems we’re totally on the same page. All about the camping food, but not about the bugs and lack of creature comforts!
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says
Wow this looks awesome, so unique and convenient! I’m not really a camper either but think this would go down just as well on the couch at home..haha. Love how dark, crispy and gorgeous that topping looks 🙂
Cathy says
Thanks Claudia! Yep, just as good when you’re warm and cozy on the couch!