Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (The Best You’ll Ever Make!)

There’s no dessert that signals the cozy comfort of autumn quite like a warm, bubbly apple crisp. This Easy Apple Crisp recipe is your shortcut to a perfect dessert every time, with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy, buttery oat topping. It’s the simple, classic treat that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Forget complicated pies; this is the effortless dessert you’ve been searching for.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Crisp

This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s practically foolproof. We’ve stripped away the complexity to leave you with a straightforward path to dessert perfection. It’s designed for enthusiastic home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell absolutely incredible!

• Simple Ingredients: You probably have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your pantry right now.
• Quick to Prepare: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can have this baking in the oven while you enjoy dinner.
• Perfectly Crunchy Topping: We’ve perfected the ratio of butter, oats, and brown sugar for a topping that stays crisp, never soggy.

The Perfect Apples for Your Crisp

The key to a fantastic apple crisp is using the right kind of apples. You want a firm apple that holds its shape during baking and has a good balance of sweet and tart flavors. Softer apples can turn to mush, which is not what we want.

Our Top Apple Picks:

• Granny Smith: The classic choice for a reason. Its firm texture and tartness balance the sweet topping perfectly.
• Honeycrisp: Wonderfully crisp and sweet-tart, Honeycrisp apples are a fantastic option that won’t get mushy.
• Braeburn: This apple offers a robust, spicy-sweet flavor and holds its shape beautifully when baked.
• A Mix: For the most complex flavor, use a combination of two different apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Easy Apple Crisp recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll gather for this delightful dessert.

For the Apple Filling

• 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6-7 cups)
• 1/4 cup 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
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the most amazing apple crisp. It’s a perfect recipe for a cozy evening or a special gathering.

1. Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch baking dish.
2. Make the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Spread this mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish. If you’re looking for another comforting dish, our Chicken and Dumplings is a savory favorite.
3. Prepare the Crisp Topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, 1 cup of flour, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
4. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the oat mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apple filling.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit filling is bubbly and tender, and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
6. Rest and Serve: Let the apple crisp cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up. It’s absolutely divine served warm, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a different kind of sweet treat, try our incredible Butter Pecan Cookies.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Crisp

Want to guarantee your Easy Apple Crisp is a showstopper? Here are a few pro tips.

• Use Cold Butter: For the crispiest topping, make sure your butter is cold and cut it in until you have small, pea-sized pieces. This creates little pockets that melt and steam, resulting in a lighter, crunchier texture.
• Don’t Slice Apples Too Thin: Slice your apples about 1/4-inch thick. If they are too thin, they may become mushy; too thick, and they may not cook through completely.
• Add Nuts for Extra Crunch: Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture for an extra layer of flavor and texture. It’s a simple addition that feels gourmet, much like the flavors in our Marry Me Chicken Tortellini.

Storing and Reheating Your Apple Crisp

Have leftovers? No problem! Apple crisp is just as delicious the next day.

To Store: Let the crisp cool completely, then cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. You can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To Reheat: For the best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. To reheat the entire dish and revive the crunchy topping, bake it uncovered in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (The Best You'll Ever Make!)

This Easy Apple Crisp is the perfect fall dessert, featuring tender, spiced apples under a crunchy, buttery oat topping. A simple, foolproof recipe that's ready in under an hour and guaranteed to be a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 medium apples peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes

Equipment

• 1 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish
• 1 Large bowl
• 1 Medium bowl

Instructions

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch or 9x9 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Spread this mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, 1 cup of flour, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
4. Add the cold, cubed butter to the oat mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apple filling.
5. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit filling is bubbly and tender, and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
6. Let the apple crisp cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up. Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Notes

Tip 1: For the best texture, use firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
Tip 2: Ensure your butter is very cold for the flakiest, most delicious topping.
Tip 3: Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch and flavor.

We Want to See Your Masterpiece!

We are so excited for you to try this Easy Apple Crisp recipe! It’s a true crowd-pleaser that we’re sure you’ll make again and again. When you do, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share a photo of your beautiful creation and tag us on Pinterest!