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    Easy Apple Crisp with Buttery, Crunchy Oat Topping

    Oct 30, 2019 / by Laney Schwartz / 29 Comments(updated Dec 2, 2021)
    ★★★★★ from 4 reviews

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Easy to make, this baked apple crisp is packed full of warm spiced apples and topped with buttery, crunchy oats and brown sugar.

    This is truly the best baked apple crisp recipe I’ve ever tried. It’s packed full of tender apples with warm spices and a buttery, crunchy oat topping. Serve it on its own or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy and delicious dessert I guarantee the whole family will love!

    overhead apple crisp in rectangular pan with three scoops of vanilla ice cream and coffee

    I’m usually such a chocolate dessert person! Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, brownies…those are usually my jam. But if you’re more of a fruity dessert person then you might love my Apple Cake too!

    Apples Sliced and Peeled on a Cutting Board

    What makes this Apple Crisp so good?

    We’ve got two specific, delicious elements hard at work to make this one shine…

    • A buttery, crunchy topping. The secret is in the CRUNCH! A crisp like this one is 100% about the topping, and I think I’ve perfected it.
    • Warm, spiced, delicious apples. Isn’t there something nostalgic and comforting about a cooked apple? 

    Does apple crisp need to be refrigerated?

    The good news is, it can sit out for a while. I enjoy it both warm and at room temp. I put any leftovers in the fridge and they’re good for about 3-5 days.

    Apples, sugar, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl

    Best apples for apple crisp?

    Honestly, you can use whatever kind you like, but here are a few of my favorites.

    • Granny Smith
    • Fuji
    • Golden delicious

    This recipe will absolutely be on my table at Thanksgiving this year. It’s easier to make and, in my opinion, BETTER than pie!

    Apple Crisp Being Scooped with a Spoom

    What should you serve with Apple Crisp?

    Let’s talk ice cream, because you can’t pull a warm Apple Crisp out of the oven without someone reaching for the ice cream scoop. I actually feel conflicted on this right now! A bowl of warm crisp with vanilla ice cream melting over it is…well, that’s just heaven right there. This recipe is SO GOOD by itself though that you really don’t need the ice cream for an amazing dessert! Follow your heart on this one, friends.

    Close Up of Apple Crisp in White Bowl with Ice Cream

    More Fruity Desserts

    If you’d like to keep making desserts that impress and feature some delicious, flavorful fruit (I hope you’re nodding your head YES!) you may want to check out some of these recipes…

    • Plum Crumble
    • Almond Berry Gallette
    • Lemon Vanilla Butter Cake
    • Puff Pastry Apple Tarts
    • Peach & Blueberry Cobbler
    Print
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    overhead apple crisp in rectangular pan with three scoops of vanilla ice cream and coffee

    Easy Apple Crisp with Buttery, Crunchy Oat Topping

    ★★★★★ 4.8 from 4 reviews
    • Author: Laney Schwartz
    • Prep Time: 20 min
    • Cook Time: 1 hour
    • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    • Yield: 8
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven baked
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This is truly the best baked apple crisp recipe I’ve ever tried. It’s packed full of tender apples with warm spices and a buttery, crunchy oat topping. Serve it on its own or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy and delicious dessert I guarantee the whole family will love!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 4 pounds apples, (peeled, cored, and cut into wedges)
    • 1 lemon, (zested then juiced)
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

    Crisp Topping

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup oats
    • 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, (diced)

    Instructions

    1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×10 or 9×12 baking dish and set aside.
    2. In a large bowl add the apples, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Use a large spoon or clean hands to toss until the apples are evenly coated. Pour into prepared baking dish.
    3. Now make the crisp topping. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar salt, oats, and cold butter. Mix on low speed until the mixture is crumbly. (You can also do this by hand in a large bowl and use your hands to make the crumbly mixture). Scatter evenly over the apples.
    4. Place the crisp on a sheet pan and bake for 1 hour until the top is brown and the apples are bubbly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

    Notes

    Recipe adapted from Ina Garten

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    Filed Under: Dessert

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means the world and is greatly appreciated!

      xo, Laney

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      Comments

    1. Sarah Stephens

      January 31, 2021 at 9:41 am

      Do you know what the ratio of lemon juice would be, if I don’t have an actual lemon?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        February 11, 2021 at 12:22 pm

        About 2 tablespoons

    2. Terri C.

      January 12, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      Thank you for the recipe. I added 1/2 t. salt and 2 T. flour to the filling and used a 9×13/4 qt. baking dish. The topping is very good and crispy.

      ★★★★

      Reply
    3. Ashley

      November 19, 2020 at 9:16 pm

      So easy and so delicious. Have made it 3 times and it’s always a hit!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Sheryl Terlecki

      October 16, 2020 at 7:11 pm

      Thank you very much for this “YUMMY” recipe! I made it & took some to surprise my 98 yr old nana!! I LOVE her smile!❤

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Laura

      February 20, 2020 at 12:15 pm

      What do you think of replacing the butter with a non-dairy replacement to make the recipe non-dairy?

      What would you suggest? Coconut oil? Or Barth Balance?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        February 21, 2020 at 10:07 pm

        I haven’t tried but what about ghee?

    6. Chaundelle L Gage

      November 26, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      I have Apple Crisp in the oven right now! Eeeeeee!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 27, 2019 at 9:38 am

        Yay!!

    7. Katie

      November 25, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      Is any oats ok? All I have is quick cook rolled oats? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 26, 2019 at 2:25 pm

        Should be ok

    8. Hilary

      November 23, 2019 at 3:54 pm

      Maybe for Thanksgiving breakfast with yogurt?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 27, 2019 at 9:39 am

        Absolutely!

    9. Rainna

      November 23, 2019 at 2:59 pm

      Can this be eaten as a breakfast item? There is a French cafe where I live and they have a fruit crisp for breakfast. Its similar to this but
      they have a mixture of fruit like apples, peaches, plums and strawberries

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 27, 2019 at 9:40 am

        Sure why not?!

    10. Linda

      November 17, 2019 at 5:45 pm

      What type of Apple do you use in your apple crisp recipe?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 18, 2019 at 2:33 pm

        I used Honey Crisp but you can use any

    11. Emily

      November 13, 2019 at 7:12 am

      What type of Apple do you use in this recipe? I want to make it for Thanksgiving dessert this year -Looks YUMMY!!!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 18, 2019 at 2:32 pm

        I used honeycrisp but you can use any!

    12. Dana Clayton

      November 11, 2019 at 4:21 pm

      Can the apple mixture be put together the day before and then day of add the topping and bake?

      Reply
    13. Allie

      November 10, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      Could you make this the night before and just keep in the fridge until ready to bake? Looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 18, 2019 at 2:35 pm

        Sure!

    14. Rose

      November 03, 2019 at 8:25 am

      So the crumb mixture Is baked separately from the apples?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 09, 2019 at 11:04 am

        Nope! On top!

    15. Beverley Litwin

      October 30, 2019 at 9:15 pm

      When making the apple mixture you mention adding brown sugar to them, but brown sugar isn’t listed in the apple ingredients only in the topping one. How much brown sugar should be added to the apple mixture?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        October 30, 2019 at 9:19 pm

        Fixed! No brown sugar in the mixture. Just the topping

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