Welcome to the ultimate guide to the perfect fall dessert: a truly Easy Apple Crisp Recipe. Forget complicated steps and hard-to-find ingredients. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimum fuss, delivering a warm, bubbling apple filling under a crunchy, golden-brown oat topping every single time. It’s the cozy, comforting dessert you’ve been dreaming of, and it’s about to become your new go-to for family gatherings, holiday tables, or a simple Tuesday night treat.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this guide has everything you need. We’ll walk through the simple ingredients, the straightforward steps, and share essential tips to guarantee a perfectly crisp topping and tender, flavorful apples. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of baked apples and cinnamon.
Why This is the Best Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
There are countless apple crisp recipes out there, but this one stands out for its simplicity and incredible results. It’s a no-fail dessert that hits all the right notes.
- Simple, Everyday Ingredients: You likely have everything you need in your pantry and refrigerator right now. No fancy equipment or specialty items are required.
- Incredibly Flavorful: A perfect balance of sweet and tart apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a rich, buttery oat topping creates a truly memorable dessert.
- Perfectly Crunchy Topping: We use a combination of old-fashioned oats, flour, and brown sugar to create a topping that bakes up perfectly crisp and golden, never soggy.
- Quick & Easy Preparation: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can have this delicious dessert in the oven. It’s the ideal recipe for busy weeknights or last-minute company. For another quick and satisfying dish, try this Tuscan Chicken Pasta.
The Key Ingredients
The magic of this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why it works.
For the Apple Filling
- Apples: The star of the show! A mix of tart and sweet apples creates the most complex flavor. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn are all excellent choices.
- Lemon Juice: Prevents the apples from browning and adds a touch of brightness to balance the sweetness.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling. You can adjust the amount based on the sweetness of your apples.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices are essential for that classic, cozy apple crisp flavor.
- Cornstarch: A secret weapon to thicken the apple juices, creating a luscious, syrupy sauce instead of a watery filling.
For the Crisp Topping
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Provides the perfect chewy, hearty texture that defines a great crisp. Avoid using quick oats, as they can become mushy.
- All-Purpose Flour: Binds the topping together.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps the topping caramelize.
- Cinnamon: More warm spice for the topping.
- Cold Butter: The key to a truly crisp topping. Cutting in cold butter creates small pockets that melt during baking, resulting in a tender yet crunchy texture.
How to Make This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe Step-by-Step
Making this dessert is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel, core, and slice your apples into about ¼-inch thick slices. Place them in a large bowl and toss them with the lemon juice. In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and toss gently until every slice is evenly coated. Spread the apple mixture in an even layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Mix the Crisp Topping
In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well. Cut the cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips. Continue until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Don’t overmix!
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the apples in the baking dish. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit filling is bubbly and tender, and the topping is golden brown and crisp. For another great baking project, check out this incredibly moist banana bread recipe.
Tips for the Perfect Apple Crisp
- Use a Mix of Apples: Combining a tart apple like Granny Smith with a sweeter one like Honeycrisp creates a more balanced and interesting flavor profile.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a 9×13 inch pan to ensure the apples cook evenly and the topping gets perfectly crisp.
- Keep Your Butter Cold: For the flakiest, crispiest topping, make sure your butter is very cold when you cut it into the flour and oat mixture.
- Let It Rest: Allow the apple crisp to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set, making it easier to serve.
Variations and Substitutions
While this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to customize it to your liking!
- Add Nuts: Mix in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
- Different Spices: Add a pinch of cardamom or allspice to the filling for a unique flavor twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend and use certified gluten-free oats.
If you’re looking for another comforting classic, you can’t go wrong with our Easy Lasagna Recipe.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This apple crisp is best served warm, straight from the oven. For an extra indulgent treat, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. The contrast of the warm, spiced apples and the cold, creamy topping is simply divine.
To store leftovers, cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer the crisp to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Yes, you can assemble the apple crisp up to 24 hours in advance. Prepare the filling and topping, but store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, assemble the crisp and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
This recipe uses a tablespoon of cornstarch in the filling, which is essential for thickening the juices released by the apples as they cook. This creates a delicious, thick sauce rather than a watery base. Also, allowing the crisp to rest for 15-20 minutes after baking helps the sauce to set.
The key to an extra crispy topping is to use very cold butter and not to overmix the ingredients. Cut the cold butter into the flour and oat mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This creates pockets of butter that melt and fry the topping as it bakes, resulting in a perfect crunch.
For the best flavor and texture, we recommend using a combination of a tart apple, like Granny Smith, and a sweeter, firm apple, like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala. This mix ensures the filling is not too sweet and the apple slices hold their shape during baking.
The main difference is in the topping. A traditional apple crisp topping contains oats, which ‘crisp’ up during baking. An apple crumble topping is a simpler mixture of flour, sugar, and butter, resulting in a more streusel-like, crumbly texture.
Yes, you can assemble the apple crisp up to 24 hours in advance. Prepare the filling and topping, but store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, assemble the crisp and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
This recipe uses a tablespoon of cornstarch in the filling, which is essential for thickening the juices released by the apples as they cook. This creates a delicious, thick sauce rather than a watery base. Also, allowing the crisp to rest for 15-20 minutes after baking helps the sauce to set.
The key to an extra crispy topping is to use very cold butter and not to overmix the ingredients. Cut the cold butter into the flour and oat mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This creates pockets of butter that melt and fry the topping as it bakes, resulting in a perfect crunch.
For the best flavor and texture, we recommend using a combination of a tart apple, like Granny Smith, and a sweeter, firm apple, like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala. This mix ensures the filling is not too sweet and the apple slices hold their shape during baking.
The main difference is in the topping. A traditional apple crisp topping contains oats, which ‘crisp’ up during baking. An apple crumble topping is a simpler mixture of flour, sugar, and butter, resulting in a more streusel-like, crumbly texture.
Enjoy This Cozy Dessert!
This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of fall flavors and cozy moments. It’s the perfect treat to share with loved ones on a crisp autumn evening. We hope you love making and eating it as much as we do. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below or share a photo on Pinterest!
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (The Best You'll Ever Make)
This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe features a warm, bubbly apple filling with a perfectly crunchy, golden-brown oat topping. It's a simple, no-fail dessert that's ready in under an hour and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. In a small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over the apples and toss to coat. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the apples. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the apple crisp cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
For the best texture, use a mix of apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
Ensure your butter is very cold for the crispiest topping.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (The Best You'll Ever Make)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. In a small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over the apples and toss to coat. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the apples. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the apple crisp cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
Ensure your butter is very cold for the crispiest topping.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
