There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm apple crisp, especially when the air turns crisp and cool. This isn’t just any apple crisp, though. This is the apple crisp of your dreams – perfectly tender apples, a buttery, golden oat crumble topping, and a hint of cinnamon that fills the kitchen with the most inviting aroma. Forget complicated desserts; this recipe is surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. It’s the perfect dessert to bring to a potluck, share with family, or simply enjoy on a cozy night in. We’ve taken the classic recipe and elevated it with a generous helping of oats in the crumble, adding a delightful texture and nutty flavor that takes it to the next level. Get ready to fall in love!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp Recipe
- Easy to Make: Minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels.
- Comforting Flavor: The classic combination of apples, cinnamon, and a buttery crumble is pure comfort food.
- Perfect Texture: The oat crumble topping provides a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, tender apples.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable to different apple varieties and spice preferences.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dessert is always a hit at gatherings!
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients:
- 6-8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix – see Pro Tips!)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 3/4 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Apple peeler (optional, but helpful)
- Pastry blender or fork (for cutting in butter)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Coat the Apples: Add granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice to the apples. Toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the apple mixture into the 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the cold butter, rolled oats, brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Use a pastry blender or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use your fingers, but work quickly to keep the butter cold.
- Sprinkle Over Apples: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbly.
- Cool & Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Pro Tips
- Apple Variety: Using a mix of apples adds complexity to the flavor. Granny Smith provides tartness, while Honeycrisp offers sweetness and a crisp texture. Other good options include Gala, Fuji, or Braeburn.
- Keep Butter Cold: Cold butter is crucial for a flaky, crumbly topping. If your butter starts to soften, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the crumble topping will result in a tough texture. Stop mixing when the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Spice it Up: Feel free to experiment with different spices! A pinch of cardamom or ginger can add a unique flavor.
- Nutty Boost: Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra crunch and flavor.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover apple crisp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. The crumble topping may lose some of its crispness upon refrigeration, but the flavor will still be delicious! You can also freeze apple crisp (baked or unbaked) for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil.
Print
Apple Crisp Recipe With Oats
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic apple crisp made with tender baked apples and a golden oat streusel topping for a cozy, comforting dessert.
Ingredients
6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.
3. Spread apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
4. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt.
5. Pour in melted butter and stir until mixture forms coarse crumbs.
6. Sprinkle oat mixture evenly over the apples.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.
8. Cool slightly before serving with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work best for a balance of sweetness and tartness.
For extra crunch, add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat topping.
This apple crisp can be reheated in the oven to restore crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg