An easy apple crisp is the cozy dessert that makes your whole kitchen smell like fall. Tender cinnamon apples bubble beneath a golden, buttery oat topping that bakes up crunchy and crumbly.
This apple crisp with oat topping uses fresh apples and simple pantry ingredients, no fancy steps required. It is the best apple crisp recipe for fall potlucks, weeknight treats, and holiday dessert tables.
Recipe at a Glance
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 45 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Servings | 8 servings |
| Category | Dessert / Fall Baking |
Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Crisp
- Simple pantry ingredients and no mixer required
- Crunchy oat topping over soft, juicy apples
- Warm cinnamon flavor that smells incredible while baking
- Great served warm with vanilla ice cream
- Easy to make ahead and reheat
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 6 medium apples (about 2½ pounds), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon, for the filling
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats and ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving
How to Make Apple Crisp with Fresh Apples
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch or 2-quart baking dish.
- Toss the sliced apples with the brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, and cinnamon, then spread them in the dish.
- In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping.
- Cut in the cold butter with a fork or your fingertips until coarse, pea-sized crumbs form.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling, then cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Apple Crisp with Oat Topping
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- Keep the butter cold for a crumbly, crunchy topping.
- Slice the apples thin so they cook through evenly.
- Cover loosely with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
- Let the crisp rest 10 minutes so the juices thicken.
Variations to Try: Easy Apple Crisp Ideas
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
- Stir cranberries or raisins into the apples.
- Use gluten-free oats and flour for a gluten-free version.
- Add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the filling.
How to Store It
Cover and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat portions in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to re-crisp the topping. Freeze baked apple crisp for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples for apple crisp?
A mix of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweet apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji gives the best flavor and texture.
Do I need to peel apples for apple crisp?
Peeling gives a softer texture, but you can leave the peels on for extra fiber and rustic flavor.
What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
Apple crisp typically has oats in the topping, while crumble is often made with just flour, butter, and sugar.
Why is my apple crisp watery?
Too much juice from the apples may need more flour or a longer bake. The flour in the filling helps thicken the juices.
Easy Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish.
- Step 2: Toss the apples with the brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, and cinnamon and spread in the dish.
- Step 3: Mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping.
- Step 4: Cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
- Tip: Keep the butter cold for a crunchy topping.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the topping over the apples.
- Step 6: Bake 40 to 45 minutes until golden and bubbling and cool 10 minutes.
Notes
Reheat in the oven rather than the microwave to keep the topping crunchy.