Easy apple crisp is the classic fall dessert that fills the whole house with the smell of cinnamon. Tender spiced apples bubble under a buttery, golden oat topping that bakes up crunchy and crumbly.
This apple crisp with oatmeal topping needs no mixer, no crust, and just a handful of pantry ingredients. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, and it becomes the cozy ending to any fall dinner or Thanksgiving table.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Category: Dessert
Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Crisp
- Buttery, crunchy oat topping in every bite
- No crust to roll and no mixer needed
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect warm with vanilla ice cream
- Easy to make ahead for holidays
Ingredients You’ll Need for Apple Crisp
- 6 medium apples (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For the topping: 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
How to Make Apple Crisp with an Oat Topping
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toss the sliced apples with the lemon juice, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread the apples evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture forms coarse, pea-sized crumbs.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples, without pressing down.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling.
- Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Tips for the Best Apple Crisp Topping
- Use cold butter so the topping bakes up crumbly and crisp.
- Mix tart and sweet apples for a balanced flavor and texture.
- Do not press the topping down; loose crumbs get crunchier.
- Let the crisp cool for 10 minutes so the juices thicken.
Variations to Try
- Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping
- Stir a handful of cranberries into the apples
- Make it gluten-free with certified gluten-free oats and a 1-to-1 flour blend
- Drizzle with salted caramel before serving
How to Store It
Cover and store leftover apple crisp at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes to re-crisp the topping.
Freeze the unbaked crisp for up to 3 months and bake from frozen, adding 15 to 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples for apple crisp?
A mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp or Braeburn gives the best flavor and holds its shape when baked.
How do you keep apple crisp topping crispy?
Use cold butter, do not press the topping down, and reheat leftovers uncovered in the oven instead of the microwave.
Do you have to peel apples for apple crisp?
Peeling gives the softest texture, but leaving the peel on is fine if you prefer it and want extra fiber.
What is the difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble?
Crisp usually includes oats in the topping, while crumble is typically made with just flour, butter, and sugar.
Easy Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch dish.
- Toss the apples with the lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg and spread in the dish.
- Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter until coarse crumbs form.
- Tip: Cold butter gives a crunchier topping.
- Sprinkle over the apples without pressing down.
- Bake 40-45 minutes until golden and bubbling, then cool 10-15 minutes.
Notes
Freeze unbaked for up to 3 months.