This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is a cozy, comforting dessert that comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients. Sweet, tender apples are baked beneath a buttery, cinnamon oat topping until golden and bubbling. It’s the perfect fall dessert—but honestly, I enjoy it year-round. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s pure comfort in a bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this apple crisp because it’s fuss-free and always hits the spot. There’s no pie crust to roll out, no special equipment needed—just chopped apples, a quick crumble topping, and the oven does the rest. It’s a go-to dessert for last-minute guests or when I’ve got a few apples that need using up. The topping is crisp, sweet, and cinnamon-spiced, and it contrasts beautifully with the soft, syrupy apples underneath.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the filling:
- Apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour (for thickening)
For the topping:
- Old-fashioned oats
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Butter (cold and cubed)
directions
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I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
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In a large bowl, I toss the peeled and sliced apples with sugars, cinnamon, lemon juice, vanilla, and a bit of flour. Then I spread the mixture evenly in the dish.
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For the topping, I mix together oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. I add in the cold cubed butter and use a fork or my fingers to work it into a crumbly texture.
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I sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
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I bake it for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
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I let it cool slightly before serving—it’s best warm.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves about 6–8 people and takes around 15 minutes to prepare, plus 40–45 minutes of baking time.
Variations
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I sometimes add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
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For a fruity twist, I mix in pears or cranberries with the apples.
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A dash of nutmeg or apple pie spice adds more depth to the flavor.
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I’ve made it gluten-free using a gluten-free flour blend and certified GF oats.
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For a vegan version, I substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When I want to reheat it, I pop it in the microwave for about 30–45 seconds or warm it in the oven at 325°F (163°C) until heated through. The topping stays crispier when reheated in the oven.
FAQs
What are the best apples for apple crisp?
I like to use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. This combo gives the best flavor and texture.
Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes, I often prep it a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge until ready to bake. Just add a few minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
How do I keep the topping crispy?
Using cold butter and not overmixing the topping helps keep it crumbly and crisp. I also don’t cover it while baking.
Can I freeze apple crisp?
Definitely. I let it cool completely, wrap it tightly, and freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, I reheat it in the oven at 350°F until hot and bubbly.
What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
They’re very similar, but apple crisp usually contains oats in the topping, giving it a crunchier texture. Crumbles tend to have a more streusel-like topping without oats.
Conclusion
This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is one of those timeless desserts that never fails to impress. It’s simple, delicious, and made with ingredients I almost always have on hand. Whether it’s a chilly fall night or a casual weeknight treat, I find myself reaching for this recipe again and again. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it’s guaranteed to please.
Print
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is a classic, comforting dessert made with juicy apples and a golden, buttery oat topping. No pie crust required—just a few pantry staples and fresh apples! Baked until bubbling and crisp, this homemade apple crisp is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whether you’re baking for fall gatherings or cozy weeknights, this quick and simple apple dessert never disappoints.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- Apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
For the Topping
- Old-fashioned oats
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Butter (cold and cubed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Peel and slice apples, then toss in a large bowl with sugars, cinnamon, lemon juice, vanilla, and flour.
- Spread apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter using a fork or fingers until crumbly.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and filling is bubbly.
- Cool slightly before serving—best served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Add chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) to the topping for crunch.
- Mix in pears or cranberries for a fruitier variation.
- Add nutmeg or apple pie spice for deeper flavor.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free oats and flour.
- For vegan, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter.
- Topping stays crispier if reheated in the oven rather than the microwave.
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