Old-fashioned Apple Crisp is a classic dessert of sliced apples baked with a crisp oat topping of butter, brown sugar, and warm baking spices.
Are you looking for an easy and irresistible way to make the most of fall's apple harvest? With this simple old-fashioned apple crisp recipe, you can enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and tart apples with the satisfying crunch of a crumbly topping, all baked to golden perfection.
Apples are a deliciously simple way to sweeten any occasion and this easy apple crisp recipe is sure to be the highlight of any meal.
You'll love the warm, comforting combination of juicy, tender apples, crunchy oats, and sweet, buttery flavors warmed with sweet cinnamon and nutmeg.
Also called apple crumble, a classic apple crisp is simple to make and tastes just like a French apple pie without the crust.
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Why This is The Best Apple Crisp
Nothing says 'dessert' like a classic apple crisp! Simple, delicious, and hearty, this old-fashioned apple crisp not only satisfies your sweet tooth cravings but also requires minimal effort to make. Using only 8 ingredients, each of which you likely already have in your pantry and fridge, this recipe makes up quickly.
I always prefer a fruit dessert and one of my favorite desserts is a delicious apple crisp with a crumble topping.
I grew up making this recipe with tart granny smith apples from the tree in our backyard. It was a large tree that generally produced enough apples from the first picking of apple season to make at least 6 to 8 pies for the freezer.
The rest of the apples would be picked as they matured and we would make baked apples, applesauce, or apple crisp. Of all of the apple desserts we made, homemade apple crisp was always everyone's favorite way to enjoy the apples from our tree.
At the heart of this recipe are apples that are both sweet and tart, adding better depth of flavor as opposed to only a single variety. They are topped with a streusel crumb topping that boasts rich caramel flavors, paired with the sweetest baking spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. These are classic flavor combinations, which is why apple crisp recipes have endured the test of time.
A key step when making this old-fashioned apple crisp is to slice the apples and layer them evenly in the baking dish. Slicing the apples ensures even cooking and a perfect texture in the finished dessert.
This technique also allows the apples to absorb the rich flavors of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, creating a pleasing blend of sweet and tart flavors in every bite of the apple crisp.
I've been making apple crisp for over 50 years, so I've had a lot of practice, and I know a couple of ways to make it quickly, which are incorporated into the instructions of this recipe. So, are you ready to make the best apple crisp ever? Great!
So, let's cook!
Ingredients Notes
Here's what you need to make this easy apple crisp recipe:
- Salted Butter - This recipe needs salted butter that should be soft and at room temperature for the topping. If you substitute unsalted butter add ⅛ teaspoon salt to the crisp mixture. Butter is also used for greasing the baking dish; however, you can use butter-flavored cooking spray as an alternative.
- Dark Brown Sugar - Dark brown sugar brings lovely caramel flavors to the crisp topping.
- All-Purpose Flour - All-purpose flour acts as a binder with the oats for the crisp topping.
- Oats - You can use almost any type of oats like old-fashioned oats, rolled oats, or quick oats. The only oats that do not work well in this recipe are instant oats.
- Ground Cinnamon - Cinnamon is a perfect sweet spice partner for apples.
- Ground Nutmeg - I prefer to use freshly ground nutmeg which has both flowery and fruity aromas in addition to sweet baking spice.
- Apples - You can use any apples that are in season and you enjoy. I like using a combination of sweet and tart apples. See below for more information on the best apple varieties to use.
- Lemon - Lemon juice is the secret that keeps the apples from turning brown before the crisp is fully assembled. (not shown)
Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.
Apple Varieties to Use
Apple Varieties. I like to use a variety of apples I can find at the local grocer that are the best in quality. You can make this with any kind of apples, all of one type, or mix and match.
- Sweet Apples: Ambrosia, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Opal, Red Delicious
- Tart Apples: Cortland, Granny Smith, McIntosh, Pink Lady
- Sweet & Tart Apples: Cosmic, Jazz, Jonagold
Substitutions & Variations
- Substitute Almond Flour. Instead of using all-purpose flour, you can substitute almond flour in the oat mixture.
- Substitute Ground Cardamon. You can use ground cardamon for some or all of the ground cinnamon.
- Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice. Instead of using cinnamon and nutmeg, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
- Substitute Chopped Nuts. Chopped walnuts or pecans can be substituted for the oats.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Crisp
Step 1 - Prepare. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease an 8" square baking dish or pan with 2 teaspoons of butter or with butter-flavored cooking spray. Peel, quarter, and core the apples and add them to a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
Step 2 - Mix Crisp Topping. In a small bowl with a fork mix together the dark brown sugar, flour, oats, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Mix in the butter with the dry ingredients until the mixture is well combined and crumbly.
Step 3 - Slice and Layer. Slice the apples and layer them in the prepared baking dish.
Step 4 - Sprinkle. Evenly sprinkle and spread the streusel topping over the top of the apples.
Step 5 - Bake. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
My Top Tips
♡ Always peel the apples first and place them in a lemon water bath to keep them from turning dark as you cut them.
♡ Make the crisp streusel/crumble topping before slicing the apples to ensure the quickest assembly of the crisp, which helps prevent the apples from turning dark.
How to Serve Apple Crisp
There is nothing like a bowl of warm apple crisp served with any of the following creamy, dreamy toppings for extra deliciousness:
- Homemade Whipped Cream, or Store-Bought Whipped Topping.
- Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Drizzled with Creme Anglaise (Vanilla Sauce).
- Dollop of Brandy Butter (Hard Sauce).
- A Spoon or Two of Caramel Sauce.
Make-Ahead, Storage, & Reheating
- Make-Ahead & Storage: You can make this apple crisp earlier in the day. Leftovers can be covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: For the best flavor warm the apple crisp gently in the microwave or the oven before serving.
More Delicious Fruit Desserts You'll Love
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📖 Recipe
Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
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Ingredients
- 2 Teaspoons Salted Butter, Soft and at Room Temperature
- ½ Lemon
- ¾ Cup Dark Brown Sugar
- ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour
- ½ Cup Old Fashioned or Rolled Oats
- 1 ½ Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ⅓ Cup Salted Butter, Soft and at Room Temperature
- 4 Cups Apples, Peeled, Cored, and Sliced
Instructions
- Prepare. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease an 8" square baking dish or pan with 2 teaspoons of butter. Peel, core, and quarter the apples and add them to a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.2 Teaspoons Salted Butter, ½ Lemon
- Mix Crisp Topping. In a small bowl with a fork mix together the dark brown sugar, flour, oats, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Mix in the butter with the dry ingredients until the mixture is well combined and crumbly.¾ Cup Dark Brown Sugar, ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour, ½ Cup Old Fashioned or Rolled Oats, 1 ½ Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon, ½ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg, ⅓ Cup Salted Butter
- Slice and Layer. Slice the apples and layer them in the prepared baking dish.4 Cups Apples
- Sprinkle. Evenly sprinkle and spread the streusel topping over the top of the apples.
- Bake. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.Serve while still warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Per 1 serving. All nutritional information on this site is an estimate. Your results may vary.
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