The Ultimate Easy Apple Crisp Recipe: Your Go-To Fall Dessert with Buttery Oat Crumble
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen, especially as the crisp air of autumn rolls in. This incredible easy apple crisp recipe delivers just that – a delightful dessert featuring perfectly soft and tender, freshly chopped apples nestled beneath a warm, buttery cinnamon oatmeal streusel topping. Whether you enjoy it cold for a refreshing treat or warm for a cozy indulgence, a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is the absolute perfect accompaniment, transforming each bite into a heavenly experience.
Fall truly is a season to savor, and for me, a significant part of its charm lies in the abundance of warm, delicious apple recipes. From a chilly morning start with apple cinnamon scones or a hearty bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal, to an evening dessert that perfectly caps off the day, apples reign supreme. For a lighter fall-themed dessert, I often turn to cinnamon baked apples served with ice cream or a dollop of fluffy whipped cream. But when I’m craving something more substantial and truly show-stopping for dessert, my go-to is often an apple cider bundt cake. However, for sheer simplicity, irresistible flavor, and comforting texture, nothing quite beats a classic apple crisp – and this recipe is designed to be the best and easiest you’ll ever make!
Why This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another apple crisp recipe; it’s a carefully crafted method designed for maximum flavor and minimal fuss. Here’s why this particular recipe will quickly become your new favorite fall dessert:
- Effortlessly Easy to Make: The beauty of this apple crisp lies in its simplicity. Preparation is incredibly quick, taking just about 15 minutes of hands-on time. After a swift assembly, your oven does most of the work, baking the apples to tender perfection under a golden, crunchy topping. It’s the ideal simple yet spectacular fall dessert.
- Perfect for Utilizing Fresh Apples: Whether you’ve just returned from an apple-picking adventure, found a fantastic sale at the grocery store, or are simply looking to use up a bounty from your own apple tree, this recipe is wonderfully versatile. It accommodates any kind of apple, making it a flexible and delicious solution for your harvest.
- A Masterclass in Flavor and Texture Balance: This recipe achieves a harmonious blend of the tartness from the apples and the rich sweetness of the oat crumble topping. Beyond flavor, it excels in texture: the apples become tender without turning mushy, while the bottom layer of the streusel caramelizes into a delightfully gooey, buttery base, topped with perfectly crunchy oats. Every spoonful offers a symphony of tastes and textures.
- Generous Crumble in Every Bite: Let’s be honest, an apple crisp with too little crumble is a disappointment. This recipe ensures an abundant, thick layer of delicious streusel topping, guaranteeing that you get a satisfying crunch and buttery goodness in every single bite. No more searching for the topping – it’s everywhere!
Key Ingredients for the Best Apple Crisp
Crafting the perfect apple crisp starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Apples: The star of the show! While you can use any variety, I find a mixture works best. My preferred combination is tart Granny Smith apples with sweeter Gala or Honeycrisp apples. This blend offers a delightful balance of flavor and ensures the apples hold their shape while also creating a wonderful sauciness during baking. You’ll need about 3-4 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour plays a dual role here. A small amount added to the apple mixture helps to thicken the juices released during baking, creating a luscious, saucy base. In the crumble topping, flour provides structure and helps achieve that desirable crumbly texture.
- Ground Cinnamon: An essential spice for any apple dessert! Cinnamon and apples are a classic pairing, and the warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon truly elevate the fall flavors in this crisp.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: For a truly robust and crunchy streusel topping, old-fashioned rolled oats are key. They provide a chewier, more substantial texture compared to instant oats, which can become too soft.
- Sugars: We use two types of sugar for optimal results. Granulated sugar is tossed with the apples to sweeten them and draw out their juices. Brown sugar, with its deep molasses notes, is incorporated into the cinnamon oat crumble topping, contributing to its rich flavor and delightful caramelization.
- Cold Butter: This is crucial for the streusel topping! Using cold, cubed butter ensures that when it’s cut into the dry ingredients, it forms small pockets that create steam during baking, resulting in a perfectly crumbly and tender topping. Warm or softened butter will lead to a dense, cookie-like topping instead.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Apple Crisp
Follow these easy steps to create a show-stopping apple crisp that will impress everyone:
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, prepare your baking dish by lightly greasing a 9-inch or 10-inch dish with butter or a nonstick cooking spray. This prevents the apples from sticking and ensures easy serving.
- In a large bowl, combine your peeled, cored, and sliced apples. Add the granulated sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, and ¾ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Toss everything together until the apples are thoroughly coated. This mixture will create the delicious, saucy filling for your crisp. (For a quick and efficient way to peel, core, and slice your apples, consider using an apple gadget.)
- Once coated, evenly place the sugar-coated apples into your prepared baking dish. Spread them out gently to form an even layer.
- Now, it’s time to create that irresistible streusel topping. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the rolled oats, the remaining all-purpose flour, baking powder, and brown sugar. Use a fork to mix these dry ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
- Add the cubed, cold butter to the dry crumble mixture. Using a pastry blender (or your fingertips), cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Some larger pieces of butter are desirable, as they will melt and create pockets of flakiness.
- Evenly spread the crumble mixture over the sliced apples in the baking dish. Ensure the apples are completely covered for that perfect golden crust.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until the apple mixture is bubbling around the edges and the topping is beautifully golden brown and crunchy. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the type of apples used.
- Once baked to perfection, remove the crisp from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle and thicken slightly. Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.
Expert Tips for Your Best Apple Crisp Yet
Even though this recipe is easy, a few expert tips can elevate your apple crisp from great to extraordinary:
- Choosing the Right Baking Dish: To grease the pan, I typically use butter, which adds a lovely flavor, but nonstick cooking spray works perfectly well too. I’ve used the oval pan from this Staub ceramic set, and a square 9″x9″ inch pan also yields excellent results. I would advise against using a standard 9-inch round pie dish, as its sides might not be tall enough to contain all the delicious apple filling and generous topping. An 8×8 or 9×13 inch pan can also be used, adjusting the quantity of apples and crumble to fit.
- Beyond Vanilla Ice Cream: Additional Toppings: While vanilla ice cream is a classic, don’t hesitate to experiment! A dollop of freshly made whipped cream, a sprinkle of crunchy candied pecans, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce can take your apple crisp to the next level. For an extra layer of spice, a tiny sprinkle of nutmeg or allspice over the topping before baking can be delightful.
- Selecting and Preparing Your Apples:
- Always Peel and Core: For the best consistency and texture, always peel and core your apples. Leaving the skins on can result in a chewy texture that detracts from the tender, melt-in-your-mouth apples.
- Mix and Match Varieties: I often use a combination of Granny Smith and either Honeycrisp or Gala apples. You’ll need about 3-4 large apples, or more if they are smaller. Granny Smith apples are wonderfully crisp and tart, holding their shape well during baking and providing a counterpoint to the sweetness. Honeycrisp and Gala apples are sweeter and also bake beautifully, breaking down slightly to create a saucier filling.
- Experiment with Flavors: If you were to use only Granny Smith apples, the crisp might be a bit too tart, and the apple mixture wouldn’t produce as much juice. This is why a combination is so effective – you get a good balance of firmness and sauciness. Feel free to experiment with other apple varieties like Braeburn, Fuji, or Golden Delicious. The beauty of apple crisp is its adaptability; mix and match to find your favorite blend!
Storing and Reheating Your Apple Crisp
Proper storage ensures your delicious apple crisp remains fresh and enjoyable for days, allowing you to savor it later.
Once baked and cooled, your apple crisp will last for approximately 3-5 days. I highly recommend covering it tightly with plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator. This helps maintain its freshness and prevents it from drying out.
When you’re ready to indulge again, you have a few options: enjoy it cold straight from the fridge for a refreshing treat, or warm it up for that comforting, freshly baked experience. For individual portions, simply scoop a serving onto a microwave-safe plate and heat it for 15-30 seconds, or until warmed through. To reheat the entire crisp (or a larger portion), place it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and heated through. Don’t forget to top it with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream before digging in – it’s always better warm!
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Crisp
While some purists might note subtle differences, for most home bakers, the terms “apple crisp” and “apple crumble” are generally interchangeable. Both refer to a beloved dessert featuring a layer of fresh, baked apples generously topped with a sweet, streusel-like mixture. The topping typically contains oats (for crisp) or can be oat-free (for crumble), but in common culinary practice, they are often used to describe the same delightful dish.
The best apples for apple crisp are those that hold their shape well during baking and offer a balance of tartness and sweetness. Granny Smith apples are highly recommended due to their firm texture and tart flavor, which perfectly complements the sweetness of the crumble. I love using a blend of Granny Smith with a sweeter variety like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. This combination provides both structural integrity and a rich, complex flavor profile. Ultimately, you can use any apples you have on hand, but a mix often yields the most balanced result.
Technically, you don’t *have* to peel the apples before making apple crisp. However, I strongly recommend that you do. My personal experience, and that of many others, is that leaving the skins on, even after prolonged baking, can result in a chewy, sometimes tough texture that can easily get caught in your throat. Peeling the apples ensures a uniformly tender and smooth apple filling, enhancing the overall enjoyment of this classic dessert.
Explore More Delicious Apple Recipes
If you’re an apple lover like me, you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic apple-inspired creations:
- The Best Caramel Apple Dip
- Gourmet Apple Pie Caramel Apples
- Warm Cranberry Apple Cider
- Fun Donut Apples
- Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies
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Review
Easy Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 6 cups apples – peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Crumble Topping
- 3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup brown sugar – packed
- 1/3 cup butter – cold. Cut into 1/4 inch cubes.
Equipment
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Johnny Apple Peeler
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9″ or 10″ inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
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In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mix well. Add the peeled and sliced apples and toss until they are evenly coated.
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Transfer the sugar-coated apples to the prepared baking dish, spreading them into an even layer.
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In a medium bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, baking powder, and packed brown sugar. Mix thoroughly with a fork. Add the cold butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes. Using a pastry blender (or your fingertips), cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Evenly spread the crumble mixture over the sliced apples, ensuring full coverage.
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Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the apple mixture is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
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Remove from oven and let cool slightly for a few minutes. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Always peel and core the apples for the best consistency and texture. Leaving skins on can lead to a chewy or unpleasant texture.
- For a balanced flavor and texture, I recommend using a combination of tart Granny Smith apples and sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala. You’ll need about 3-4 large apples, or more if they are smaller.
- Using a mix of apple varieties helps create a delicious sauciness while ensuring some apples retain their structure during baking. Feel free to experiment with your favorite baking apples!
Variations: For an extra crunch and nutty flavor, consider adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping.
Storing: Leftover apple crisp can be covered tightly with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
Reheat: To reheat, simply place the crisp in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through and bubbly. Individual portions can be microwaved for 20-30 seconds.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on September 21, 2018. It was significantly updated and republished on September 9, 2021, to include enhanced instructions, additional helpful information, and new, vibrant photos to guide you through the process.