Apple crisp is a classic favorite dessert for good reason! Warm, cinnamon-infused apples melded with a golden, crumbly, buttery topping. It's easy to make and pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream.
Apple Crisp Recipe Overview
I love how this recipe transforms a few modest ingredients into satisfying intricate flavors. All we have to do is combine sliced apples with flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. All baked in the oven until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
The apples become tender and juicy as they cook, and the sweet and spicy flavors of the topping complement them perfectly. Everyone LOVES this easy classic dessert!
Try it with this delicious dairy-free whipped coconut cream recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
For The Apples:
- 6 medium apples
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For The Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats - large flake oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup salted butter - melted in the microwave
How To Make Apple Crisp Recipe
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375℉. Preheat a 9x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP 2: Chop 6 medium apples into bite-size pieces. I used an apple slicer to make wedges and cut them into bite-sized pieces with a knife.
STEP 3: Add the chopped apples into a large bowl with ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Toss until apples are evenly coated.
STEP 4: In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, and ¼ tsp salt. Break down any clumps in the brown sugar.
STEP 5: Melt ½ cup salted butter in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Then pour over the rolled oat mixture, and stir together.
STEP 6: First spread the apple into the prepared baking dish. Then use your hands to sprinkle the rolled oats over top of the apples.
STEP 7: Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the apples are tender when poked with a fork, and granola pieces are crispy and golden brown. Let cool for 5-10 minutes then serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Recipe Tips
- Use a 9x9 or a 9x11 baking dish. Anything smaller (8 inches) might undercook the apples and overcook the crumble topping.
- Melt the butter first, then mix it into the oat flour mixture. Some recipes recommend you use cold butter and crumble it in, but this can lead to an uneven mixture.
- I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats. These are large flake oats that give the best texture.
- You can serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, plain yogurt, caramel sauce, or dried fruit. Also consider topping with chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or chocolate chips.
FAQs
Should I Peel My Apples? Traditionally most people peel their apples. However, it isn't required. I've tried both ways and prefer peeled apples, and sometimes I do not have patience for that step. Today I used chopped apples with the peel on for this recipe, it tastes great!
What apples are best for apple crisp? The best apples for apple crisp are firm, crisp apples like Granny Smiths and Honeycrisp. These hold their shape during baking and provide a wonderful balance of tartness and sweetness. You can also mix different apple varieties to combine textures and flavors.
How can I make my apple crisp topping crunchy? The secret to a crunchy topping is the butter. Mixing melted butter into the oat flour mixture is the way to go. This ensures an even coating that helps to create the perfect small crumbles when you sprinkle it over the apples just before baking. Using large flake oats opposed to quick oats also helps create that crunchy topping.
How can I avoid dry apple crisp? Do not overbake! Keep an eye on your baking time and check the apple crisp after about 45-50 minutes to see if it's done. You want it to be golden brown and bubbling around the edges. Remove the apple crisp from the oven as soon as the apples are tender.
How To Store
Let the apple crisp cool completely before storing it in the fridge, otherwise, you might be left with a soggy dish. Let the dessert sit on the counter for about 2 hours before placing in the fridge.
Fridge - Once the apple crisp has completely cooled, wrap the dish with plastic wrap, or store it in an airtight container. You can store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place apple crisp in an oven-safe dish and drizzle a small amount of melted butter overtop for flavor and a crunchy texture. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes. For a crispy top, remove the foil in the last 3-5 minutes.
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Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For The Apples
- 6 medium apples
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For The Crumble Topping
- ½ cup old fahioned rolled oats - large flake oats
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup salted butter - melted in microwave
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉. Preheat a 9x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Chop 6 medium apples into bite-size pieces. I used an apple slicer to make wedges and cut them into bite-sized pieces with a knife.
- Add the chopped apples into a large bowl with ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Toss until apples are evenly coated.
- In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats - large flake oats, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, and ¼ tsp salt. Break down any clumps in the brown sugar.
- Melt ½ cup salted butter in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Pour over the rolled oat mixture, and mix.
- Pour the apples into the prepared baking dish. Use your hands to spread the rolled oat mixture over the apples. Cover the apples as evenly as possible.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the apples are tender when poked with a fork, and granola is crispy golden brown. Let cool for 5-10 minutes then serve with your favorite topping! Find suggestions at the bottom of 'recipe tips'.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Info
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
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