If you’re craving a cozy, soul-warming dessert that marries tender baked fruit with a delightfully crisp, buttery topping, look no further than Apple Crisp. This dish transforms humble apples into an irresistible treat, delivering both sweet-tart juiciness and a golden, oat-packed crunch in every spoonful. Whether you’re sharing it at a family gathering or treating yourself after a long day, Apple Crisp truly celebrates simple ingredients and honest, old-fashioned flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Apple Crisp lies in its simplicity: these ingredients might already live in your pantry, yet each one plays a starring role. From the apples’ tartness to the deep warmth of cinnamon and the crisp oat topping, every element brings something crucial to the final result.
- Apples: Firm, tart Granny Smiths or sweet Honeycrisps hold their shape and provide bright flavor that anchors this dessert.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a sprinkle balances the apples’ natural tartness and encourages those lovely baked juices.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives body to both the filling and topping, preventing a runny base and ensuring a hearty, crumbly texture up top.
- Ground Cinnamon: Brings a classic, warming spice that melds beautifully with apples.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds a subtle, aromatic complexity that makes the flavor pop.
- Lemon Juice: A splash brightens the fruit and preserves its color while baking.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The secret to that signature, chewy-crispy topping texture.
- Brown Sugar: Offers deeper, caramel-like sweetness and a richer color for the crisp topping.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens all the other flavors in both the filling and topping.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold and cubed, it melts into the flour and oats for golden, crunchy perfection.
How to Make Apple Crisp
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling
Begin by peeling and slicing your apples into uniform pieces, aiming for about six cups in total. Toss them gently in a large bowl with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and that essential lemon juice. This mixture not only flavors the apples but also creates a luscious sauce as everything bakes together. Spread your apple filling into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, taking care to distribute the slices evenly.
Step 2: Mix the Crisp Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, both sugars, salt, and extra cinnamon. Cut in the cold, cubed butter—either with a pastry cutter or your fingertips—until the mixture resembles coarse, buttery crumbs. The bits of butter will create a crisp, golden blanket as it bakes.
Step 3: Assemble and Top
Sprinkle your crisp topping evenly over the apple mixture in the baking dish. Make sure every corner gets a loving layer of crumble—this is where that magical contrast of textures happens!
Step 4: Bake
Slide the dish into your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is a deep golden brown and you see the apple juices bubbling up at the edges. The aroma filling your kitchen is your first reward; let the crisp cool for about 10–15 minutes so the filling sets slightly before serving.
How to Serve Apple Crisp
Garnishes
A classic dollop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of freshly whipped cream is always welcome. Sprinkle a few toasted pecans or a dash of extra cinnamon on top for a bit of elegance and crunch.
Side Dishes
A cup of strong black coffee or hot tea pairs beautifully with a generous scoop of Apple Crisp. For a brunch gathering, serve it alongside Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a lighter take.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking the Apple Crisp in individual ramekins for a charming, personal touch. Or, stack warm spoonfuls into glass jars, layering yogurt or caramel sauce between for a gorgeous dessert parfait.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Apple Crisp, lucky you! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The topping may soften slightly, but the flavor stays absolutely wonderful.
Freezing
You can assemble the Apple Crisp ahead of time, cover tightly, and freeze before baking for up to three months. When a craving strikes, simply bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time. You can also freeze baked leftovers, although the topping will be less crisp upon thawing.
Reheating
To revive Apple Crisp’s signature crunch, reheat portions uncovered in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes. A zap in the microwave works in a pinch, but oven reheating delivers that irresistible crispy topping.
FAQs
Can I use different types of apples?
Absolutely! Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are favorites for their firm texture, but feel free to mix a few varieties for extra depth of flavor. Just aim for apples that hold their shape when baked.
Is it possible to make Apple Crisp gluten-free?
Yes, you can swap in your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour, and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients remain the same!
Can I add nuts to the topping?
Definitely! A half-cup of chopped pecans or walnuts mixed into the topping brings welcome crunch and a touch of nutty flavor. Toasting the nuts beforehand takes them over the top.
How do I prevent my Apple Crisp from being too runny?
A spoonful of flour tossed with the apples helps absorb extra juice, while letting the crisp cool for about 15 minutes after baking allows the filling to thicken up properly.
What’s the best way to serve leftover Apple Crisp?
Leftover Apple Crisp is a dream for breakfast—simply reheat and enjoy with plain yogurt, or create a quick dessert by topping with a scoop of ice cream for a second-day treat.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one dessert everyone should have in their back pocket, it’s a homemade Apple Crisp. From its bubbling, cinnamon-scented filling to that irresistible crunchy topping, this is comfort food at its finest. Give it a try soon—you just might find yourself making it again and again!
Print
Apple Crisp Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Apple Crisp recipe is a comforting dessert that combines tender, spiced apples with a crunchy oat topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent treat.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 cups peeled and sliced apples (about 5–6 medium Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Transfer to the baking dish.
- Make the Crisp Topping: Combine oats, flour, sugars, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
