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This Apple Crisp is made the old-fashioned way with chunks of fresh apples spiced with cinnamon and apple pie spice, and a thick layer of a sweet brown sugar oatmeal crisp topping. It’s dessert perfection when served warmed with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top!
If you want a slow cooker version of apple crisp then make my Crockpot Apple Crisp. Or for more baked fruit crisps be sure and also try Peach Blueberry Crisp or Easy Cherry Crisp.
Homemade Apple Crisp (BEST Old Fashioned Classic Apple Crisp)
Making a warm, perfectly spiced apple crisp with a thick crumble topping is my favorite way to celebrate apple season and the cooler fall temperatures. This classic dessert has sliced apples that are coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, and then it’s topped with a brown sugar oat topping with a crisp texture.
When we lived on the East coats we always went apple picking at all the beautiful orchards they have over there. Using those fresh delicious apples in a homemade apple crisp was something my family always looked forward to.
The best way to serve this dessert is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – it perfectly compliments that streusel topping and tender apple filling, with its chilled and creamy texture. The ice cream just melts right into the warm apple crisp and I don’t think there is anything better!
Simple Ingredients Needed
Apple Filling Ingredients
- Granny Smith Apples or Honeycrisp Apples : Crisp fresh apples are the star of this apple crisp. The best apples to use are tart apples that are also slightly sweet apples. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are the best choices when making a crisp. I always recommend using two different kinds of apples for a variety of flavor in this dessert.
- Lemon Juice : Bottles lemon juice or freshly squeezed will not work well in this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract
- Granulated Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Nutmeg
- All-Purpose Flour
Crisp Topping Ingredients
- Whole Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats : It’s best to use regular whole old-fashioned oats because they’re larger in size and hold up better in this baked dessert. They also provide the best texture in the crunchy oat topping.
- All-Purpose Flour
- Packed Light Brown Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Kosher Salt
- Cold Butter : Cold cubed butter is necessary for the crumb topping. Make sure it’s chilled and cut into really small pieces or small cubes.
How To Make The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a deep 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Make The Apple Filling : Peel, core, and cut the apples into small chunks, about 1-inch in size. Place the chopped apples into a large bowl. Immediately add the lemon juice over top of the apples and stir to combine. This will help prevent them from browning too quickly while you prepare everything else.
Sprinkle the vanilla extract over top the apples and stir to coat.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, apple pie spice, and all-purpose flour until combined. Add this cinnamon-sugar mixture to the apples and toss to combine until all the apples are coated.
Transfer the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
Make The Crisp Topping : In a mixing bowl, add the old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Stir with a whisk to combine.
Add the chilled cubed butter and use your clean hands, or a pastry cutter or pastry blender, to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Evenly sprinkle the oatmeal crisp topping over the apples for a nice thick layer.
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges. If the crisp topping is getting too browned, loosely lay a piece of aluminum foil over top the casserole dish for the last 15 minutes of the bake time.
Remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it cool for about 10 minutes. Serve a scoop of warm apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Enjoy!
How To Store Apple Crisp Leftovers
After baking, allow the apple crisp to cool completely to room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which will make the crisp topping soggy.
To refrigerate, cover the apple crisp baking dish with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a lid and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also remove individual portions of the apple crisp into an airtight container(s) for storage. Reheat individual portions in the microwave when wanting to eat again.
Serving Suggestions
- The best way, and most classic way, to serve apple crisp is warmed and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can use plain vanilla ice cream, vanilla bean ice cream, or French vanilla ice cream.
- Another great serving option is homemade whipped cream. It tastes a bit lighter than the ice cream but still delicious. You can even combine ice cream + whipped cream and use both for a topping.
- Caramel sauce is another great serving option.
- Add some finely chopped pecans to the top of each serving of apple crisp for a salty & crunchy texture.
Recipe FAQ’s
What Are The Best Apples To Use For Apple Crisp?
I like to use Granny Smith apples or Honeycrisp Apples when making apple crisp. Granny Smith apples are the preferred and best type of apple because of their tart taste and firm texture that holds up well to the oven temperature and time. Honeycrisp apples are another great opiotn, especially when combined with Granny Smith apples, because they offer a sweeter taste and juicy texture, creating a well-rounded apple base for this crisp recipe. Gala apples or Pink Lady apples are another great choice for an apple crisp.
Should I Slice or Chunk The Apples For An Apple Crisp?
You can do either one, whichever you prefer. I prefer cutting the apples into small chunks for this recipe. I first will slice the apples (using an apple corer and sliver) an then I will cut each apple slice into small chunks. You can also leave the apples in thin slices – but make sure they are not too thick or else they won’t soften and become tender apples during the cook time.
Sweet & Savory Apple Recipes
More Apple Desserts
- Easy Apple Dump Cake
- Simple Easy Apple Crisp
- Oatmeal Cookie Apple Crumble
- Snickerdoodle Apple Cobbler
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Spice Cake
- Cinnamon Streusel Baked Apples
Apple Crisp
Equipment
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 10 cups small chopped Granny Smith apples (skin peeled off)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Apple Crisp Topping
- 1½ cups old-fashioned whole oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 tablespoons cold butter (chilled & cubed into small pieces)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a deep 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Make The Apple Filling
- Peel, core, and cut the apples into small chunks, about 1-inch in size. Place the chopped apples into a large bowl. Immediately add the lemon juice over top of the apples and stir to combine. This will help prevent them from browning too quickly while you prepare everything else.10 cups small chopped Granny Smith apples, 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Sprinkle the vanilla extract over top the apples and stir to coat.2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and nutmeg until combined. Add this cinnamon-sugar mixture to the apples and toss to combine until all the apples are coated.3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Transfer the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
Make The Apple Crisp Topping
- In a mixing bowl, add the old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Stir with a whisk to combine.1½ cups old-fashioned whole oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the chilled cubed butter and use your clean hands, or a pastry cutter or pastry blender, to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.12 tablespoons cold butter
- Evenly sprinkle the oatmeal crisp topping over the apples for a nice thick layer.
Bake The Apple Crisp
- Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.*If the crisp topping is getting too browned, loosely lay a piece of aluminum foil over top the casserole dish for the last 15 minutes of the bake time.
- Remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it cool for about 10 minutes. Serve a scoop of warm apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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