This easy Bisquick Apple Cobbler in Dutch Oven Recipe is absolute perfection and comes together in under an hour. It's a must for any holiday! Tart green apples in a gooey sweet sauce, warm nutmeg, and punchy ginger makes this easy recipe a popular crowd-pleasing dessert! Plus, this recipe is made with only natural sugar!
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There's nothing cozier than cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and apples on a cold day. Apple cobbler has all those flavors making it a wonderful dessert! And this is seriously the best apple cobbler recipe because it's so dang easy and packed with ooey gooey sauce.
All you have to do is chop the apples, mix them with spices, and then top with Bisquick dough! I mean, can you think of an easier dessert? And did you know Bisquick makes gluten-free mixes now??
Enjoy this cobbler warm with vanilla ice cream and you won't be disappointed!
Looking for more easy dessert recipes? Try our Gluten-Free Apple Crisp, Honey Mug Cake, or Black Raspberry Pie!
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Ingredients and Substitutions
All substitution options for this apple cobbler with pancake mix are a 1:1 substitution unless noted otherwise.
Filling Ingredients:
Apples: We use Granny Smith apples because they're on the tart side. When apples are cooked they release their natural sugars and therefore become sweeter which is why it is ideal to use a more tart apple when baking.
Substitute: We prefer tart apples because when apples bake, they release natural sugars and become sweeter. The dish becomes even sweeter since we are adding some sugar! So you keep some of the tart flavors but still get plenty of sweetness. If using a sweet apple variety, like golden delicious apples or honey crisp apples, reduce the added sugar by half. Or keep it as is if you want a really sweet cobbler!
You can also switch it up with different fruit cobblers. Canned peaches or fresh peaches will make a great Bisquick peach cobbler! It's hard to go wrong, you'll be in cobbler heaven no matter which filling you choose.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is my go to for creating sweet caramel like flavors. It goes marvelously with the warmth of cinnamon and ginger!
Substitute: Cane sugar, white sugar, coconut sugar, agave, dark or light brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup can be substituted for brown sugar.
Lemon Juice: While we use tart apples, it is amazing how sweet they become. Lemon juice helps to encourage more of that sweetness to release even before it bakes.
Substitute: Orange juice can be used or extra water.
Water: Water is used to dissolve the cornstarch and create a slurry. It also helps make the cobbler super saucy and gooey!
Substitute: Sorry, no substitute for this.
Corn starch: Corn starch is used to thicken the sauce the apples are coated in. It's very important that the cornstarch is dissolved in water prior to baking to prevent lumps. As it bakes, the cornstarch will swell and create the gooey sauce!
Substitute: Arrowroot powder can be used in place of cornstarch.
Vanilla Extract: Fun fact, vanilla extract creates an extra buttery flavor without adding butter. This is even more pronounced when using 100% pure vanilla extract (which we highly recommend).
Substitute: Vanilla paste, vanilla beans or imitation vanilla can be used.
Salt: Salt is a flavor enhancer so every recipe can benefit from a little salt.
Substitute: Sorry, no substitute for this.
Topping Ingredients:
Bisquick Mix: Bisquick is the key to making this an easy apple cobbler recipe because it already has the right amount of leaveners! Bisquick is a versatile baking mix which makes it a common ingredient in my kitchen.
Substitute: Any of your favorite ready-to-bake biscuit and pancake mixes can be used. Try some other favorites: Gluten-Free Bisquick, Kodiak Cakes Gluten Free Flapjack and Waffle Mix, Kodiak Cakes Carb Conscious, Kodiak Cakes Plant Based Flapjack and Waffle Mix.
Milk: Every batter needs liquid to mix with it, and we use milk for this recipe.
Substitute: Any of your favorite kinds of milk can be used, including plant-based and lactose-free.
Butter: Is there anything that isn't made better with a little butter?
Substitute: We use salted butter since we are not adding salt to the topping mixture, but you can use any kind of butter you have on hand. Coconut oil or vegan butter will also work.
Ingredients in Filling and Topping:
Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These are the essential fall spices! Gosh, I can just smell a room full of monster gingerbread house displays thinking about cinnamon and nutmeg.
Substitute: Allspice, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice can be used. You can also use Chai Tea powder (which may not be vegan).
Ginger: Ginger is another wonderful spice that adds a punch of flavor.
Substitute: Minced, fresh, or powdered ginger can be used.
Recipe Testing Notes
Throughout our testing of this Bisquick Apple Cobbler in a Dutch Oven, we learned some key things that worked and didn't work. Here are the key takeaways!
To peel or not to peel: We tested this cobbler with both peeled apples and not peeled apples. The results were negligible and peeling just caused more work. For this reason, we recommend leaving the peels on the apples.
Cornstarch sticking? When we mixed the filling ingredients, we mixed everything with the apples initially. While this did not make a difference taste wise, it was annoying to have to keep mixing the apples to try and spread out the ingredients evenly.
This is because corn starch in fully because corn starch expands and becomes clumpy when introduced to liquid. The best way to avoid this is to fully whisk in the corn starch with the liquid first before adding the apples.
How to make this - Step by Step
Be sure to check the recipe card for full instructions and ingredients for making this Bisquick apple cobbler in a Dutch oven.
Step one: Oven temp
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Step Two: Prep
Slice fresh apples into about ⅛th to ¼" wide slices. We like to do this 9safely) with a mandolin to save time. You could peel the apples, but we do not feel the peels change the flavor or texture of the cobbler so we prefer to just leave the skin on.
Step Three: Make the filling
Mix filling ingredients in a large bowl or directly in the Dutch oven. I find it best to add everything but the apples and mix well so the corn starch can fully incorporate and then mix in the apples.
Step Four: Make topping
Mix topping ingredients in a separate bowl until a sticky dough forms.
Step Five: Get ready to bake!
Transfer the apple pie filling mixture (if not mixed in the Dutch oven). You can also use a cast iron pan, a pie dish, or any other oven safe dish that is approximately 9" in diameter and at least 2.5" deep. Spoon Bisquick topping mix evenly on top of apple mixture in blob shapes to make this tasty Bisquick apple cobbler.
Step Seven: Bake
Baked for 45 minutes until apple mixture is bubbly and the top is golden brown. Let cool and then enjoy this perfect apple cobbler!
Watch How To Make This - Step by Step
Joy Tip!
Want to use less sugar and add more nutrients to this cobbler? Try omitting the brown sugar and using honey crisp apples instead. Honey crisp apples are much sweeter than granny smith. As for the topping, you can use a protein pancake mix in place of Bisquick to healthify this cobbler.
Common Questions
There are a few classic things that pair well with apple desserts. A dollop of whipped cream, or a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs well with this warm apple cobbler. If you want further decorating and presentation, try sprucing up the whipped cream or ice cream with a touch of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg.
Granny Smith apples are the best apples for apple cobbler using Bisquick because they're tart and cut the sweetness of the added sugar. Using a sweet apple might result in a dessert that's too sweet. Honeycrisp apples are our favorite apples but we don't use them in this recipe because they're very sweet. We recommend reducing the sugar added to the crisp if you decide to use a sweeter apple unless you like things super sweet. Then, sweet on!
The main difference between apple cobbler and apple crisp is their topping. Apple cobbler has a dense dough on top (think biscuit dough or similar). On the other hand, an apple crisp has a topping usually consisting of oats, brown sugar, and sometimes nuts. This topping is also known as a crumble. Check out our gluten-free apple crisp recipe!
Want to save this for later? Here's How!
Fridge: Apple cobbler Bisquick will last for one week in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, simply microwave for 45 seconds.
Freezer: This dish will last for up to two months in the freezer in a sealed container. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and then microwave for 45 seconds. If you don't have time to thaw overnight, microwave for 90 seconds and then in 15-second intervals until warm.
Fun Fact!
Granny Smith Apples are unique because of their high acid content. This high acid content makes them ideal for baked goods, but also means they do not turn brown as quickly! They will also retain their shape, even when cooked and softened. They can be kept in cold storage and will not freeze until the temperature drops below 29 degrees. If we haven’t convinced you that these apples are the easiest apples to take care of, the trees are also self-pollinators! Adding a pollinator tree that blossoms at the same time will help, but is not necessary. (Source)
More Fall Recipes To Enjoy
Mashed Potatoes and Butternut Squash
Frozen Butternut Squash in Air Fryer
Did you make this and love it? Leave us a review, we’d love to hear from you!
Recipe
Easy Bisquick Apple Cobbler Recipe
Ingredients
Filling
- 5 Apples (Granny Smith, medium*)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅛ cup lemon juice
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (pure extract)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
- ½ teaspoon ginger (ground)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1-½ cup bisquick
- ½ cup milk (any)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
- ½ teaspoon ginger (ground)
- 5 tablespoon butter (salted, melted)
Before you start!
If you make this recipe, please take a moment to leave us a review. We love to hear from you!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut apples into about ⅛ to ¼ inch wide slices. A mandolin is great for this!
- Mix filling ingredients, except apples, in a large bowl or in the Dutch oven until the corn starch is fully in cooperated. Add the apples and mix until fully coated.
- Mix topping in another bowl until a sticky dough forms.
- Transfer the apple mixture to a Dutch oven (if not already in it) or any oven safe 9" dish or pan that is at least 2.5" deep. Spoon Bisquick mixture evenly over apples.
- Bake for 45 minutes until apple mixture is bubbly and top is golden brown.
Video
Notes
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
I was hesitant to use Granny Smith apples because I like sweet desserts but it was plenty sweet and very tasty!
I made this and topped it with ice cream and caramel and it was oh so good I just had to share 🙂
Darn apple cobbler is the reason I can't keep sweets in the house! This thing is super simple to make and gooey and delicious.
I've never seen a recipe like this so dry so so dry
Thanks for the feedback. Recipes are specifically designed with flavors, textures, and tastes that appeal to us. Inherently they will not appeal to everyone. This cobbler has what I consider to be the perfect amount of sauce. If you prefer more sauce, there are many other delicious recipes out there from other fantastic bloggers that I encourage you to try. I am sorry you did not like our version, but it is made how it is on purpose and we love it.
This made quite the impression on my family when I had them over to visit so thank you for the recipe.