This Apple Crisp Recipe is a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that combines the warmth of baked apples with a golden, buttery topping. In just 10 minutes of prep, you’ll layer tender, cinnamon-spiced apples beneath a crisp, oat-filled crust that bakes to perfection in 50 minutes. The result? A heavenly balance of soft, juicy fruit and crunchy, caramelized edges that’s impossible to resist.
Every bite delivers a symphony of flavors—sweet, tart, and spiced—with a texture that’s both comforting and indulgent. Perfect for sharing, this dish serves 8 and fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of fall. Whether it’s a weeknight treat or a holiday centerpiece, this apple crisp is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients for Apple Crisp
- For the Apple Filling:
- 2 lbs (905 g) apples (cored, peeled, and sliced no thicker than ¼”)
- ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed for best flavor)
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Crisp Topping:
- 9 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100 g) old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar (tightly packed)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9 or 11×7 glass baking dish with butter and set aside.
- Prepare the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, light brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly coated. Set aside.
- Make the crisp topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Pour the cooled butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a fork to stir until the mixture is clumpy and crumbly (avoid over-stirring).
- Assemble the crisp: Give the apple mixture another stir, then pour it evenly into the prepared baking dish. Use your hands to drop the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake: Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork. If the topping darkens too quickly, cover the dish with foil and continue baking.
- Serve warm, preferably with a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat!
Perfect Pairings: Toppings and Serving Ideas
Apple crisp is a versatile dessert that shines with a variety of toppings. For a classic touch, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle with caramel sauce or sprinkle with chopped nuts for added crunch. Pair it with a cup of spiced chai tea or hot apple cider for a cozy fall treat!
Storing and Reheating Your Apple Crisp
To store leftovers, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. For reheating, pop individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Add a fresh scoop of ice cream for that just-baked feel!
Recipe Variations to Try
Switch things up by using pears or a mix of apples and berries for a fruity twist. For a nutty flavor, add chopped pecans or almonds to the crisp topping. If you’re gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. You can also reduce the sugar slightly for a less sweet version—it’s still delicious!
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Bakers
To save time, prep your apple slices in advance and store them in the fridge with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning. Use a food processor to quickly combine the crisp topping ingredients for a fuss-free process. If you’re short on time, bake the crisp in a preheated toaster oven—it works just as well as a conventional oven!
Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs apples cored, peeled and sliced no thicker than ¼”
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Crisp
- 9 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup light brown sugar tightly packed
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×9 or 11×7 glass baking dish² with butter. Set a side.
- Combine sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Give everything a good stir until all ingredients are combined and set aside while you prepare your crisp topping.
- Prepare your topping by whisking together butter and vanilla extract. Set aside (you don’t want the butter to be too hot when you add your sugar, so let it cool while you prepare your dry ingredients)
- In a separate bowl, stir together flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Pour butter into flour mixture and use a fork to stir until mixture is combined and clumpy (don’t over-stir, you want it to be crumbly, not paste-like). Set aside.
- Give your apple mixture another good stir and pour evenly into your prepared pan.
- Use your hands to drop your crumble mixture evenly overtop your apple filling.
- Transfer to 375F (190C) oven and bake for 50 minutes or until topping is lightly golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork. If topping is starting to become too dark and apples are still crisp, cover apple crisp with foil while continuing to bake.
- Serve warm (preferably topped with ice cream!)