Chai Masala Apple Crisps

Origin: A dish born of migration and longing, where spice meets sweetness and the kitchen smells like belonging.

This spiced apple crisp is layered with warmth, nostalgia, and quiet rebellion.

The apples are tossed with bold chai masala—ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and a breath of black pepper—then tucked under a crumbly oatmeal topping that bakes to golden perfection.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1.5 cup all-purpose flour (1 cup for the crumbles and 0.5 cup for the apples)
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 3 cups apples – peeled, cored and chopped
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoon chai spice masala or mix your own by combining:
• 1.5 tsp cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp ginger
• 1/3 tsp nutmeg
• 1/3 tsp cloves
• 1/3 tsp cardamom
• 1/3 tsp black pepper

How The Alchemy Happens

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan.

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, brown sugar, oats, butter and 1 tablespoon chai masala. Mix until crumbly.

Combine chopped apples, 0.5 cup flour and 1 tablespoon chai masala.

Place half of crumb mixture in pan. Spread the apples evenly over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with white sugar and top with remaining crumb mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown.