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Apple Crisp

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The BEST Apple Crisp recipe ever is made with thinly sliced Granny Smith apples and baked with a cinnamon glaze and oatmeal crumb topping. 

A glass serving dish filled with freshly baked apple crisp with a pan of apple crisp in the background.

Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp is one of those recipes that a lot of people have in their personal recipe book. Let me just say, if you do already have a recipe for apple crisp, you will probably never make it again after trying this one!

Best apples for apple crisp?

Granny Smith apples are my favorite for using with apple crisp.  They bring a tart, sour flavor and crisp texture that blends so well with the sweet oat crumble topping.  In general, they are all-around baking apple.  If you don’t have Granny Smith apples, Gala apples, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or any tart apple with work great!

Should I peel apples for apple crisp?

Yes! For apple crisp I like to peel my apples before baking them. The skin doesn’t break down during baking and can make for a tougher texture.  I use my Johnny Apple Peeler for this part because it does the work for me. It PEELS, CORES and SLICES the apple all at once! I once made this apple crisp for a party of 200 people and the Johnny apple peeler was a life saver.

Are apple crisp and apple crumble the same thing?

Generally, yes.  Both dishes refer to baked, sliced apples that are topped with a sweet crumble topping.

How to make apple crisp:

Start by making the oat crumble topping.  In a medium size bowl combine the crumb topping ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until it resembles small crumbs. Refrigerate.

Next, peel and slice your apples.  I use a Johnny Apple Peeler to peel and slice the apples all at once. It makes the process a lot faster!

Once the apple are peeled, add the melted butter and flour to a small bowl and combine.

Add lemon juice, milk and vanilla and stir well. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Thinly sliced granny smith apples layered in a glass baking dish.

Next, toss the apples in a cinnamon spice sauce. The sauce has lemon juice in it to help keep the apples from browning, and a splash of milk that adds creaminess to the sauce that I love.

Pour the apples into an 8×8” baking dish. (This recipe can easily be doubled and cooked in a 9×13” pan).

Sprinkle the crumble topping over the top of the apples. When you make the crumble topping, be sure to cut the butter in really well. I sometimes use my fingers to do this because it’s faster and easier to tell if the butter is crumbled into the topping really well.

A glass baking dish with granny smith apples topped with a crumble oat topping, ready to bake.

Place the pan in the oven to bake for about about 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

An 8x8'' glass baking dish of apple crisp.

Definitely allow the baked apple apple crisp to rest and cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. That will give the sauce a chance to thicken a little more as it cools.

You do not need to cover the apple crisp while it bakes!  If for some reason it started to get overly brown, you could cover it with tinfoil until it finishes baking.  I have not had this problem!

A glass goblet glass filled with apple crisp with a crumble oat topping and a pan of apple crisp in the background.

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired. Complete HEAVEN!

Can I make Apple Crisp ahead of time?

Make the apple filling, adding a tiny bit more lemon juice so the apples don’t brown. Store the apple filling in an air-tight container, in the fridge, for up to one day. Make the crumble topping and put it in a separate ziplock bag, in the fridge. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge, and sprinkle the topping on top. Bake as directed.

Can I freeze apple crisp?

Prepare and bake the apple crisp as directed. Cool the crisp completely, then cover it with a double layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

This recipe works great prepared a day in advance, or you can freeze it, as well. See my notes at the bottom of the recipe.

CONSIDER TRYING THESE POPULAR APPLE RECIPES: 
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4.91 from 90 votes
Apple Crisp
Print Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

Thinly sliced Granny Smith apples baked with a cinnamon glaze and oatmeal crumb topping. The BEST Apple Crisp recipe Ever!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple crisp, easy apple crisp, healthy apple crisp
Unit: cup, large, Tablespoon, teaspoon
Servings: 6
Calories: 382 kcal
Author: Lauren Allen
Ingredients
For the crumb topping:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • dash of salt
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter ,cut into small pieces
For the Apple filling:
  • 3-4 large Granny Smith apples , peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 Tablespoons butter , melted
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 Tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • dash of salt
For serving (optional)
  • vanilla Ice Cream
  • Homemade Caramel Sauce
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
For the topping:
  1. In a medium size bowl combine the crumb topping ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until it resembles small crumbs. Refrigerate while you prepare the apple filling.

For the Apple Filling:
  1. (I use a Johnny Apple Peeler to peel and slice the apples all at once. It makes the process a lot faster!) 


  2. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and flour until well blended. Add lemon juice, milk and vanilla and stir well. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. 

  3. Pour butter mixture over apples and toss to coat. Pour apple mixture into an 8x8-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. 

  4. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the apples.

  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and top is set. 

  6. Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

  7. Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream and Homemade Caramel Sauce

    or try Caramel Pecan Apple Crisp!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Make ahead and freezer instructions are listed above in the post!

 

Recipe adapted from Cooking Classy.

Have you tried this recipe?!  

RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.

 

I originally shared this post October 10, 2014. I updated and republished it on November 3, 2017.

*This post contains affiliate links. I like to share my favorite products with you!

The BEST Apple Crisp Ever! Recipe on TastesBetterFromScratch.com

Thinly sliced Granny Smith apples baked with a cinnamon glaze and oatmeal crumb topping. The BEST Apple Crisp recipe Ever!  | tastesbetterfromscratch.com  #applecrisp #recipe #withoats #easy
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Dessert· Freezer Friendly· Holiday Treats
355 Comments

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Comments

  1. Brittany says

    October 19, 2018 at 11:33 am

    Hey! I’ve made this ALOT & love it & it’s simplicity! BUT- I’m wondering if anyone has tried this with substitutes for the milk, butter & flour to make it gluten and dairy free (but we also need nut free). Handful of allergies in the fam. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      October 20, 2018 at 3:40 pm

      I would hazard a guess that GF rolled oats, almond milk, all purpose GF baking or flour mix, and Earth Balance “butter sticks” would probably be just fine.

      Reply
    • BEtsy says

      October 26, 2018 at 7:40 am

      Oh my word, made this gluten and dairy free yesterday for the family and it’s the best we’ve had.

      I like Earth Balance Olive Oil spreading LOVE the earth balance coconut spread or Olivio’s coconut spread (but I can’t find these in the stores anymore). I don’t love the other Earth Balance Vegan or Soy etc. In Canada we can buy vegan Becel which is also decent.

      Anyhow, substituted Earth Balance Olive Oil Spread and for the milk substitute used Ripple Half & Half Vanilla Creamer. Used Bob’s Red Mills Gluten Free Flour.

      IT. WAS. AMAZING!!!

      Reply
    • Hannah says

      October 27, 2018 at 9:29 pm

      I made a normal batch and also a batch for my husband and I with diet restrictions. I substituted the flour with all purpose gluten free flour, the milk for coconut milk, the butter with ghee, and the sugar with maple syrup. It had a totally different consistency, I also had to bake a bit longer but still tasted delicioussss.

      Reply
      • Lauren Allen says

        October 28, 2018 at 12:32 pm

        Thanks for sharing your adaptions! Sounds wonderful.

        Reply
    • Rachel says

      December 24, 2018 at 7:51 pm

      I just made it with coconut oil instead of butter and rice milk in place of the milk and it came out great. I always use less coconut oil then the amount of butter called.

      Reply
  2. Valena says

    October 21, 2018 at 11:56 pm

    I made it tonight for family dinner and everyone loved it! Some apple crisp recipes, the apple mixture is watery and flavourless, but not this one! I doubled the recipe and it was perfect for a 9×13 Pyrex dish. I’m throwing out my old apple crisp recipe and printing this one out!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      November 12, 2018 at 9:54 am

      Did you have to increase the baking time for a 9×13 baking dish?

      Reply
      • Lauren Allen says

        November 12, 2018 at 8:10 pm

        It may take just a few exta minutes–just wait until the crust is golden and the edges are bubbling 🙂

        Reply
  3. Melissa says

    October 22, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    I’m allergic to apples. Seeing my family loves apples I decided to try out this receipe. my husband always says his grandmothers apple crisp is the best. Well I think this receipe put hers to shame. My family devoured it. It lastest 5 min in my house. Huge hit!!!

    Reply
  4. Deb says

    October 24, 2018 at 11:22 am

    This Apple crisp was delicious! I will make again. I had Fuji apples on hand, which are very sweet. So I did not add the 1/4 cup brown sugar to the apples and it turned out to be the perfect sweetness. The best apple crisp I’ve ever made.

    Reply
  5. April says

    October 24, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    This is the best apple crisp! I only sprinkled sugar and cinnamon on a 3lb bag of peeled and sliced small granny smith apples in a 9×13 baking dish, and then tripled the topping, but used a little less flour and more rolled oats and baked as directed, delish ?

    Reply
  6. Connie says

    October 25, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    I’ve made this twice this week, once for family and once for company. I doubled the recipe for company. Yum! This is excellent apple crisp.

    Reply
  7. K. Kelly says

    November 1, 2018 at 5:05 pm

    Hi! I found your recipe while looking for a good ‘from scratch’ apple crisp. PERFECTION, thank you!! I doubled the recipe but followed it to a T and it’s my new recipe for this dessert. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      November 1, 2018 at 7:23 pm

      Thanks for your comment! I’m glad you found my site and you like the recipe :)!

      Reply
  8. Courtney Garza says

    November 9, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    Taste AMAZING and so easy to make! It’s my husbands favorite!!! Thanks you!!!

    Reply
  9. Meg says

    November 10, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    I just made this today !! OH MY GOODNESS!! So good !! I had to triple the recipe to feed my crew .. So easy and delish!

    Reply
  10. Amy says

    November 12, 2018 at 5:01 pm

    I’ve made this a couple times and it’s delicious! It’s so simple! I use Honey Crisp apples because I like it extra sweet. A great recipe that he whole family enjoyed.

    Reply
  11. Christine M Stevens says

    November 12, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    Another amazing recipe. I made it exactly as the recipe and it was delicious. Your site is the best and now my family’s (and mine too!) favorite.

    Reply
  12. Sarah says

    November 15, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    Hi! If I want to make the recipe in a 13×9 pan, do I just double the recipe? Do I add extra apples?

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      November 15, 2018 at 2:53 pm

      Yes, double the recipe for a 9×13” pan 🙂 . Enjoy!

      Reply
  13. Allison says

    November 21, 2018 at 3:32 pm

    How is it baked a day ahead, refrigerated and then reheated?

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      November 21, 2018 at 8:46 pm

      Hi Allison,
      Make the apple filling, adding a tiny bit more lemon juice so the apples don’t brown. Store the apple filling in an air-tight container, in the fridge, for up to one day. Make the crumble topping and put it in a separate ziplock bag, in the fridge. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge, and sprinkle the topping on top. Bake as directed.

      Hope you love it!

      Reply
  14. Scott says

    November 21, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    Bringing it to Thanksgiving. Thanks! Esp for listing the ingredients as they are used. Makes a big difference for us novices lol

    Reply
  15. Jill says

    November 22, 2018 at 10:11 am

    Love, love, love this recipe!!!! So easy to make and so delicious! Added bonus… When we make them we make it a family affair. My 4 year old does the ingredients, my husband peels and I slice!

    Reply
  16. Alison Mailes says

    November 23, 2018 at 10:03 am

    Lovely flavor and texture. Added walnuts to the crumble.

    Reply
  17. Jesse B says

    November 23, 2018 at 11:42 am

    Made this for Thanksgiving this year and the whole thing tasted fantastic but my favorite part was your crumb topping I probably stole more then I should have from the other parts of the chips to put more on mine. Definitely doubleing the topping next time because it was too die for

    Reply
  18. Donna Porter says

    November 29, 2018 at 7:18 pm

    Wowzers! Just made this apple crisp and it is amazingly, delicious!! It is just cooling down now and once it’s cool I am going to freeze it for our Christmas dessert, so I’ll report back after the holidays to give an update on how it was after it was in the freezer for a little under a month. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe!

    Reply
  19. Karen Clementi says

    December 9, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    Yum! This is great. And since I am always in a hurry — I don’t peel the apples (extra health benefit???). I did add some crushed walnuts to the topping. Thank you!

    Reply
  20. Maggie Johnson says

    December 9, 2018 at 7:52 pm

    I just made this apple crisp and it is delicious. My husband loved it too. It wasn’t over powering sweet like others recipes. Perfect contrast of sugar to tartness. Will be making this again. Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply
  21. lisa says

    December 20, 2018 at 12:19 am

    A friend of mine has been hounding me to make apple crisp so I decided since its the holidays I would make one.. found this recipe and it sounded interesting with the milk so I gave it a shot and doubled the batch.. was easy to whip up and when I opened the stove I almost died.. the smell of apple crisp almost like caramel apple came out.. I could hardly wait the time to cool before I took a bite. I could not believe how good it was. The apples were still a bit crunchy but that was my fault I think I needed to bake it longer due to doubling the recipe but I will get more apples and try it again with a little more cook time.. this is really really good thank you for sharing..

    Reply
  22. Daniela Gonzalez says

    December 21, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    Could I susbtitute for pears?

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      December 23, 2018 at 10:05 am

      Sure! Sounds delicious!

      Reply
  23. Michele says

    December 23, 2018 at 1:10 pm

    Have instant packet oatmeal. Can I use that?

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      January 6, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      You could try it but it will change the flavor and texture!

      Reply
  24. Barb says

    December 29, 2018 at 7:14 pm

    I made this today & i forgot to add the flour to the butter mixture going on the apples. It still turned out great. I served it with fresh whipped cream. The family loved it.

    Reply
  25. Mamta says

    January 8, 2019 at 10:51 am

    Hi! I made this and everybody loved it! But for some reason mine didn’t look that moist like in the picture. It was dry and brownish in colour. But nevertheless it was very tasty. Thanks for the recipe

    Reply
  26. Jennifer Corr says

    January 10, 2019 at 5:48 pm

    This was fantastic and easy! LOVE IT!

    Reply
  27. Carly says

    January 23, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    I just put this in the oven. Everyone’s reviews seem great but when I was mixing up the filling for the apples it got all weird after I added the lemon juice and milk like clumpy. It didn’t look right. Hopefully it tastes good though.

    Reply
  28. Van says

    January 31, 2019 at 5:53 am

    My children and I make this often — for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

    It is SOOOOO good.

    By the way, I printed this recipe and put it in my safe with all my other valuable documents.

    Reply
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Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of 3 and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos. Read More
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