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This easy apple crisp recipe is a classic dessert that makes you feel all warm and cozy! Made with cinnamon apples and a crunchy oat topping, all you need is a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect fall dessert.
The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
Fresh sliced apples cooked in cinnamon and brown sugar are drool-worthy enough, but this apple crisp is next-level delicious. It features a buttery oat topping that’s as crispy as the apples are soft. The difference in textures is such an irresistible combination.
This apple crisp is spiced with nutmeg in addition to the cinnamon and brown sugar for an extra boost of holiday flavor. I also used lemon in the filling to prevent the apples from browning. The end result is a crisp with tender apples and crunchy topping that is pretty much irresistible. Just add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and dig in.
What’s the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble?
Apple crisp and apple crumble are quite similar, but there are a couple of key differences that set them apart. An apple crumble has a streusel crumb topping, while the topping of an apple crisp usually includes oats or nuts.
Apple crumble toppings tend to be thicker and cakier, while apple crisp toppings get nice and crunchy in the oven. Both desserts are delicious, but I’m personally a bigger fan of that soft and crunchy combo you get with an apple crisp. It hits the spot every single time!
Recipe Ingredients
This is just a quick overview so please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for specific amounts.
For the Crisp Topping
- All-Purpose Flour: This thickener is key for any oat topping.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: For that amazing crispiness that gives this dessert its name.
- Brown Sugar: Be sure to pack it into the measuring cup.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These classic spices create that warm and cozy fall flavor.
- Salt: To balance out the sweetness of the sugar and enhance the flavors.
- Cold Butter: Cut into cubes. This holds everything together and ensures that your oats get extra crispy.
For the Apple Filling
- Granny Smith Apples: Peeled, cored and thinly sliced.
- Brown Sugar: Packed.
- Butter: Melted.
- All-Purpose Flour: To thicken the filling so it coats the apples and doesn’t get soupy.
- Lemon Juice: For oxidation (browning) prevention.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg
- Salt: This enhances the other flavors in the filling.
What Type of Apples to Use
Granny Smith apples are definitely my go-to variety for apple crisp. Their firmness keeps them from getting slimy in your filling, and their tartness prevents the filling from tasting overly sweet.
Other great apple options would be Honeycrisp, Gala or Red Delicious. You could also use multiple different kinds for even more flavor!
How to Make this Easy Apple Crisp
Perhaps the best part about this iconic dessert is how easy it is to make. Here’s how to do it:
- Heat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine Dry Ingredients for Topping: Add all of the dry topping ingredients (everything but the butter) to a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine.
- Add Butter & Set Aside: Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly and comes together. Set it aside while you make the filling.
- Make Filling: Combine all of the ingredients for the filling and stir until the apples are well coated, then pour the mixture into an 8 or 9 inch square dish.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake: Bake the crisp for about 40 minutes, until the topping is golden around the edges and the apples are tender.
- Let Cool: Allow your apple crisp to cool for about 15 minutes prior to serving it.
Tips for Success
- Peel the Apples: I don’t recommend leaving the skin on your apples. It changes the texture of the filling, and the skin tends to separate from the apples during the baking process.
- Thin & Even Apple Slices are Key: Slicing your apples thinly ensures that they will soften through. If some pieces are larger than others, they won’t all cook nice and evenly.
- Keep the Butter Cold: Don’t leave the butter out at room temperature before you start on your topping. If it’s too warm, the topping will get clumpy.
Serving Suggestions
In addition to vanilla ice cream, here are some more ways to enjoy your homemade apple crisp:
- Top with Caramel Sauce: My Salted Caramel Sauce is a fabulous addition to this apple crisp. If you’d like an unsalted caramel sauce, refer to this recipe instead.
- Add Whipped Cream: If you want to add a creamy element to your crisp without using ice cream, I highly recommend this Stabilized Mascarpone Whipped Cream. It won’t melt from the heat of the crisp as quickly as your typical whipped cream would, and it has amazing added flavor from the mascarpone cheese!
- Add Nuts: Want to add even more crunch to your crisp? Go ahead and sprinkle it with chopped pecans or walnuts after you bake it. You can toast the nuts to bring out their flavor, if desired.
How to Store and Reheat Extras
You can store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just wait until it has fully cooled first.
To reheat it, simply scoop the amount you want into a bowl and warm it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on how big your serving is. Keep in mind that the topping won’t be crunchy after the crisp has been chilled and microwaved.
If you’ve made this crisp in advance and stored the whole thing covered in the fridge, you can reheat it in the oven. The topping should crisp back up. Warm up your crisp in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature. Add your favorite toppings and dig in!
Can I Freeze Apple Crisp?
Yes – once cooled, leftover crisp can be frozen in a freezer-safe container. If you want to freeze the whole thing, cover it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap. Frozen apple crisp lasts for up to 3 months. Thaw it out in the fridge overnight before reheating it.
More Great Apple Recipes for Fall
- Homemade Apple Pie
- Apple Fritters
- Easy Apple Cobbler
- Caramel Apple Cookie Cups
- Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
- Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole
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PrintEasy Apple Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Apple Crisp is a classic old-fashioned dessert that makes you feel all warm and cozy! Made with fresh cinnamon apples and a crunchy oat topping, all you need is a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complete this crowd-favorite treat.
Ingredients
For the Crisp Topping
- 1/2 cup (65g) all purpose flour
- 1 cup (90g) old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (168g) packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
For the Apple Filling
- 5 cups (595g) thinly sliced granny smith apples (from about 4 large peeled and cored apples)
- 1/4 cup (56g) packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp (16g) all purpose flour
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Add all of the ingredients for the topping, except for the butter, to a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly and comes together. Set aside.
- Combine all the ingredients for the apples and stir together so that the apples are well coated, then pour the mixture into an 8 or 9 inch square dish.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, until the topping is golden around the edges and the apples are tender. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
- Video Transcript
- Storage: Once cooled, refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Microwave individual helpings for 1-2 minutes, depending on size.
- Make Ahead: Cover well and store in the fridge. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes, or until desired temperature is reached.
- Freezing: Store in freezer-safe container or wrap tightly in two layers of plastic wrap. Enjoy within 3 months and thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 454
- Sugar: 41.7 g
- Sodium: 109.4 mg
- Fat: 19.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 66.3 g
- Protein: 3.8 g
- Cholesterol: 50.8 mg
Best apple crisp recipe I’ve tried! Pan was all gone in one night!
Awesome! So glad to hear that!
I want to make this, but I only have quick oats. Can I use these?
You could, the topping probably just won’t be as crisp.
Extra apples slices cut thin are great snacks spread out on a baking sheet after 30 minutes in the freezer! Thank you for the recipe. I added vanilla and Chinese five spice to mine. It’s wonderful!
My 4 year old and I have made this 3 times so far this season, and we are making it again tomorrow! I love it so much. The crisp is perfect. I made my mother in law a pan full the last time I made it and she also enjoyed it! Thank you so much, this is definitely our go to recipe now. (I also appreciate the option to keep the screen on while I am cooking)
Awesome! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! Also glad to hear that the cooking screen mode is helpful. 🙂
I only have salted butter, instead of adding the salt, can I just use my butter?
That should be fine.
Hello! I am just wondering if it it’s supposed to be salted or unsalted butter?
Thank you! Can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂
Unsalted
Made this for my boyfriend and he loved it!!! Very good and so easy to make!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Made exactly as instructed (which I usually don’t do!) to serve to company…raves from everyone! One guest is an awesome cook/baker (having taken French baking lessons), she said, “This is a keeper”!
Awesome! So glad it was a hit!
I made this today using Honeycrisp apples. I followed the recipe to a tee. As a result? Perfect apple crisp!
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Made this for the first time and was perfect. Used local apples from the orchard! Serve with vanilla ice cream, simple but awesome! I baked for 45 mins for crispier top!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was wonderful! Disappeared so fast had to make a double batch!
Awesome! So glad to hear that!
I’ve been looking for an apple crisp recipe for a while now. My mom used to make it when I was growing up. I never found one I loved until I tried this one. It is delicious and the crisp topping is amazing! I used Honey Crisp apples because that’s what I had on hand. I made the recipe exactly as is, no changes, and I was amazing. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.
So glad you enjoyed it!
I made this last weekend and my husband loved it. Making another one today. Delicious!
So glad to hear that!
It was delicious- will keep this recipe for sure!!
So very easy to make! And it’s very very tasty! I was very happy to see how easy the directions are.
Hi, Lindsay! If I wanted to use the topping for an apple cheesecake recipe, should I bake just the topping ingredients?
Thanks!
I’m not entirely sure I know what you mean, but you could make the crumble and bake it and sprinkle it over the top of a cheesecake.
This recipe was way too sweet. Too much sugar in the topping. Could reduce by half. Much easier to make the topping by melting the butter and mixing it into the dry ingredients. Cutting in cold butter with a pastry knife was impossible.
umm.. you pretty much lost all credibility with your last two sentences. Folding the butter in properly is essential to the whole usage of the fat, to make the pastry texture.
how long should i bake apple crisp if i double it a 13 by 9 pan
I haven’t tested it, but you might need to double it, or close.
used oats but ground into flour,cinnamon nutmeg,vanilla brown and white sugar used less with butter cut in and some maple syrup drizzled over apples Serve warm with butter pecan ice cream.Extra pecans please!
Excellent! My husband loved it. I used Jazz apples because it’s what I had. Recipe is a keeper.
I am not fond of oats,plus they get. Under my dentures. Can I use flour instead.? If so how much?
You could try using flour, but I haven’t tested it to be able to say for sure.
This is very sweet!! I love sweets but this was too much for me.
This was so delicious! Every one of the 10 people who ate this LOVED it. Doubled the recipe and Served with vanilla ice cream. Will definitely make again. (Was thinking this would be really good in a pie crust as well!)
Would the gold delicious apples be ok to use instead of granny smith???
Sure.
Made this recipe last night with some apples I picked fresh over the weekend and it turned out great! I’m definitely going to try it with vanilla ice cream too
I thought I already commented here but I guess not! Anyway, this is my favorite apple crisp recipe because it’s a rare one that actually uses way more oats than flour. It’s so much better that way!
I’ve made this recipe 4 or 5 times and always add a bit of ground ginger and some frozen cranberries too. And it turns out great even if you halve the sugar to make it more breakfast-y than dessert-y.
This time I’ve added chopped walnuts to the topping. It’s in the oven now and I can’t wait!
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it!
I ve made this its delicious! Thanks for sharing❤️
This is a great recipe. I added a few pears with the apples and my only regret is that I forgot to throw in some cranberries. Definitely a keeper!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I love this recipe! Have already made it a bunch of times! Curious – do you think it could be made by substituting the apples with mixed berries for more of a summer vibe?
So glad you enjoy it! You could certainly use it with other fruit, but berries do you have a lot more moisture to them so the filling might be more runny. I do have a recipe for a mixed berry crisp that you could check out. If you really love the topping on this apple one, you could use the mixed berry filling and the topping from this one. https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/triple-berry-crisp/
I LOVE this recipe. I didn’t have nutmeg on hand, so I just used more cinnamon. I added an extra tbsp of brown sugar to both mixes as well (I probably use more apples than called for). It’s the best apple crisp I’ve made. Made many times now.
I have used this recipe 3 times in the last few months because it is the yummiest apple crisp recipe ever!! We have a big family so I double it and put it in a greased 9×13 pan, soooo good! Thanks 🤩 so much for an easy yet awesome dessert! We top with vanilla ice cream.
I love this recipe I’m making it for the second time all ready.
So glad to hear that!
Great recipe! Could I simply use pie pastry in a 9 inch pie plate and use this recipe to make a pie?
I’m not sure. It would be worth a try.
I made this apple crisp recipe this morning and it is now one of my favorites.
Perfect amount of ingredients. Very flavorful, and extremely easy to make.
I also love the aroma in my house.
I will definitely be making this again!
So glad you enjoyed it!
This was my first time making apple crisp and it came out perfect! The topping tastes just like that of an oatmeal cookie and the apples were delectibaly sweet.
So glad you enjoyed it!
I used some of the ingredients in apple mixture, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and lemon juice and created a drizzle for the top. Very excited!
Absolutely delicious, I tried a few different crisp recipes, and this one was by far the easiest and the tastiest. I love the soft Apple texture contrast with the just-firm-enough crunchy topping!
This was so tasty! My family loved it!! Thank you so much!!!
I want to try this delicious looking recipe, but I was wondering if I could bake it in a 9inch deep dish pie crust?
That should be fine.
Can I make this ahead of time to freeze and then bake it?
I haven’t tried it, but I’m guessing it might change the texture of the apples and topping simply from the moisture.
Can i use red delicious apples? or do you think they would be too sweet?
Those should be fine.
Omggggg amazing!!! Just made this! Had to use cloves because I was out of nutmeg (used a bit less than was called for) and used “plant butter.” DELICIOUS vegan dessert! Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe is so perfect and delicious. Thank you!!
I made this a couple of days ago. Yum! Cooked well even in my funky oven. I tend to add this or that to recipes. This time I followed to a tee (except more nutmeg). This to me says “apple crisp”.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Can quick oats be used?
You could try it. Your topping just may not come out quite as crisp.
I made it this weekend and the entire family loved it! It will definitely be one of my go to desserts!
Reheated it the next day and it was still delicious!
This was the best apple crisp I ever had. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
I’m so glad to hear that!
I am 15 and made this recipe yesterday for me and my familie’s Christmas party! Everybody said it was delicious. My dad got 2 platefulls because he thought it was so good! i will definitely make this again!
I’m making this today for thanksgiving should I cover the top with foil? My other apple crisp recipe has be do that but just wanted to clarify
I’m planning on bringing this dish to families house. I’m going to make before hand in the morning….it’s ok to reheat it once it’s time for dessert? Any suggestions on how long and what temp??
I would prepare it and wait to bake it before serving. You could try reheating it, I’m just not sure the topping would stay as crisp.
This was super easy to make and so delicious! I didn’t have regular oats on hand so I used Oatmeal Crisp maple nut cereal and Harvest Crunch in the topping. Phewwwf! Worked really well. Also I put a bit more lemon juice in the filling mix, as my apples were on the sweet side. I will make it again for sure. Thanks!
I’m glad it worked out well and that you enjoyed it!
Can you make this without sugar? And if so would you have to adjust any other ingredients? Thanks, looks awesome!
I haven’t ever really tried it to say just how it would turn out. What I can tell you is that as the sugar melts, it creates moisture, so without it it may be a little dry. I’m not sure what you would replace it with.
Absolutely the best apple crisp I have made, hands down!! Followed the recipe. I did double it and used 9 × 13 glass oan.
So glad to hear that!
I love apple crisp..this will be my first time making it.. Can we use any kind of Oats? Like Old Fashion Oats for example?
The recipe calls for old fashioned rolled oats, but you could try another if you prefer. The texture might just be a little different.
May I double this recipe and put in a 9×13 pan?
That should be fine.
Delicious! We went apple picking this past weekend and this was just what I needed to use up apples in a yummy dessert.
Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This looks so yummy. Can I make this in advance for a dinner party?
You can. It’s best when served warm, so you may want to prep everything and then bake it shortly before serving.
This looks delicious! My parent just gave me a bag of apples that will be perfect for this! Hope to make it this weekend. 🙂
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!
Hi..can Inuse gluten free flour..and could this be prepared earlier than baked or better to make it and bake directly?
Yes, gluten-free flour should be fine. And you can definitely make it a little bit ahead. Depending on how far ahead, you might want to pop it in the fridge. Just know that your apples might brown a little and if it is in the fridge before baking, it might take a little longer to bake because it will start out cold instead of room temperature.
After preparing and preparing mixture can you put in fridge until I want to bake it for dinner..or will.it ruin the texture?
I haven’t tried that to know for sure. I will say that if you add the topping ahead, it will likely absorb some moisture and that could affect it’s crisp-ness.
I LOVE this recipe!!! Double the recipe for a lasagna pan (9X13). AMAING 😍😋 Also I love using Jazz apples with this recipe, it just takes about 7-9 apples to make 5 cups.
This looks yummy! I love apple crumble/crisp 🙂 It’s especially good when you drizzle maple syrup over the filling!
Yum, maple syrup sounds good!