This Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe is a simple dessert made with crips tart apples mixed with sugar and cinnamon and sprinkled with a crunchy sweet oatmeal crumb topping. The result is pure heaven, and for an over-the-top delectable treat, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So much easier to make than a classic apple pie, but with all the flavor, aroma, and texture. This is sure to become your new go-to fall apple recipe.
Fall is here, and with it comes fresh, crisp, delicious apples. What better way to celebrate nature’s bounty than by making a scrumptious Apple Crisp? There are just a couple of key points in perfecting an apple crisp. One is making sure to pick the correct baking apples, and the other is getting the topping just right with a little bit of crunchy crispiness so it holds up well under those juicy apples and melting vanilla ice cream.
What are the best apples for Apple Crisp?
When baking Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble, go with crisp tart apples like Granny Smith apples or Honeycrisp apples. Other good choices are Braeburn or Pink Lady (also known as Cripps Pink). I usually go with a majority of Granny Smith and throw in a few other crisp varieties for more texture and flavor. When you cut your apples, slice them at least a quarter inch thick to help keep a little bit of texture through the baking process. You don’t want them mushy like applesauce.
How do you make Apple Crisp Recipe?
I like to make the topping first and set aside while I peel the apples and slice them. So grab a medium to large bowl and stir the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together. Drizzle in the melted butter and stir with a fork until coarse crumbs form.
Then peel, core, and slice your apples. Remember, if you want a little more texture left after baking, slice them thicker or into cubes. As you cut your apples, add them to a large bowl. Add the lemon juice and stir to coat. Then add the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and stir to combine. Place the mixture in a large casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick baking spray.
Sprinkle the oat topping over the apples as evenly as possible. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the apples are tender and the casserole is bubbly on the sides and golden brown.
Helpful tips for making Apple Crisp Recipe
- Use crisp tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. I like to use a combination of these, with the majority of them being Granny Smith.
- For added texture and crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
- Use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats. Quick oats are partially cooked, dried, and rolled thinner. Therefore, they do not stay as crispy or maintain their shape as well.
- Slice your apples about 1/4 inch thick or thicker if you like a little crispiness after baking. Remember that you might reheat the crisp.
- Lightly spray the baking dish with nonstick baking spray, as it will keep the crumble from sticking to the edges.
- Apple Crisp is delicious, warm or cold. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven on low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- For an extra special treat, serve a la mode. My favorite is all-natural vanilla ice cream.
Can you freeze apple crisp?
Yes, you can freeze it from both the prepped and unbaked stage and the baked stage. If freezing from the prepped stage, use a metal or tin pan or pie plate. Cover it with two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen. Remove the plastic wrap and cover with just the aluminum foil. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
If freezing from a baked stage, first cool completely. Wrap in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Take the crisp out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature for about 40 minutes. Remove the wrap and reheat for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. If the top browns too much, cover the top with aluminum foil.
More Apple Desserts
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
Topping
- Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
Apple Filling
- 8 large apples peeled cored and chopped (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, stir the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt together. Drizzle in the melted butter and stir with a fork until coarse crumbs form.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice. Add the brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract and stir to coat. Spoon the mixture in the prepared casserole dish.
- Spread the crumb topping over the apples as evenly as possible. Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes or until bubbly on the sides and golden brown.
Notes
- Use crisp tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. I like to use a combination of these, with the majority of them being Granny Smith.
- For added texture and crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
- Use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats. Quick oats are partially cooked, dried, and rolled thinner. Therefore, they do not stay as crispy or maintain their shape as well.
- Slice your apples about 1/4 inch thick or thicker if you like a little crispiness after baking. Remember that you might reheat the crisp.
- Lightly spray the baking dish with non-stick baking spray, as it will keep the crumble from sticking to the edges.
- Apple Crisp is delicious, warm or cold. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven on low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- For an extra special treat, serve a la mode. My favorite is all-natural vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
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Christian
This was delicious and easy to make. I used honeycrisp apples and it turned out perfect. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Jack
We loved the apple crisp recipe. It was easy and delicious. The perfect fall treat!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jack! So glad that you liked it!
Sandy
This Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe seems like a true delight for any dessert lover out there. I love how easy it is to make, yet it still delivers all the flavours and textures of a classic apple pie. The combination of tart apples, sugar, and cinnamon sounds like a perfect match, and the crunchy sweet oatmeal crumb topping takes it to the next level. I can just imagine how wonderful it must smell while baking in the oven. And to top it all off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Pure bliss! I can’t wait to try this recipe out and impress my family and friends with my newfound baking skills. Thank you for sharing this amazing fall apple recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sandy! I sure hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Ned
I think I can pull off this apple crisp, just like you did here. I live for apples every chance I get! I saved your recipe for the weekend.
Barbie Ritzman
I really enjoy the flavor and crispness. Adding whipped cream was the perfect touch.
Olga
I love this apple crisp. Cold season is coming and that means I need to make it often. Thank you for the recipe; we always enjoy it.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Olga!
Melanie williams
Anything that has apples for the dessert it is a winner with me for sure. Just yummy xx
Deb
I love a yummy homemade apple crisp. I love how easy this recipe was to follow. Best apple crisp I have had in quite some time.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Deb! I am so happy that you liked the apple crisp.
Melinda
This is such a yummy recipe. It is such great comfort food and one my whole family loves espeically with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Beth Pierce
Try Bryers all natural vanilla ice cream! Deeeeeeeeeeeeeelish!
Nyxie
This looks amazing! Over here we call that apple crumble and it’s, honestly, my favourite dessert! It’s great with custard and some ice cream on the side!
pedja
The best apple crisp recipe ever. This one is easy, quick to make, and absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing!
knycx.journeying
That’s really easy and for the seasons. This is one of my favorite dessert dishes and thanks a lot for sharing it! I would love to try it myself later this month!
Marissa
It is apple picking season here, so I have your recipe saved for the weekend. Love making apple crisp in the fall!
Stephanie
I love apple crisp, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! This was delicious and perfect for the start of fall baking.
Claudia
This is one of the best apple crisp recipes I’ve ever made. The flavors are perfectly balanced and that crisp is perfection!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Claudia! I am so glad that you liked it.
Shanna
Apple crisp is the perfect summer dessert. I can’t wait to try this for my family.
Kathryn Donangelo
I’m always looking for a delicious apple crisp recipe and so glad I found this recipe- thanks so much!!
Michelle
This looks like the perfect apple crisp! Great tip about the butter too, will definitely try that.
Lindsey
I love apple crisp and this version looks incredible. I’ve bookmarked it to make for a family event in a few weeks!
Suzy
I am loving the simple ingredients in this crisp! Perfect for fall!
Katie
One of my FAVORITE recipes for fall!
Tara
Mmm, this recipe is just perfect! Not a bit left in the pan.
Katerina @ diethood .com
Apple crisp is my favorite!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Melissa
Yum – delicious! Great recipe!