This post contains affiliate links.
Our classic Apple Crisp recipe is the best dessert of fall! It has tender cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery, golden oat crumble.
The Best Apple Crisp You'll Ever Make
This apple crisp recipe could be my most treasured dessert recipe I make from September through the entire winter season–I will never get tired of it!
Mostly it's such an easy dessert that gives apple pie vibes but without the time commitment. It's definitely the biggest crowd pleaser, especially when I serve it with my homemade vanilla ice cream!
The secret to a perfect apple crisp is using a mix of apple varieties. Granny Smith apples hold their shape and add tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples add natural sweetness. If you don't have a Johnny Apple Peeler yet, buy one (it peels, cores and slices the apples for you–making this dessert come together so FAST!)!
Try more of my apple recipes, like Fresh Apple Cake, Baked Apples, Applesauce, Apple Coffee Cake, Caramel Apple Dip, and How to make Caramel Apples!
How to make Apple Crisp:
Crumble Toppings: In a medium size bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder. Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender or fork until well combined. Refrigerate crumble while you prepare the apple filling.
Apple Filling: (I use a Johnny Apple Peeler to peel, core and slice the apples all at once.) In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and flour until smooth. Add lemon juice, milk and vanilla then stir. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour butter mixture over apples and toss to coat.
Bake: Pour apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over the apples. Bake for about 35 minutes or until golden brown and top is set. Remove from oven and cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Serve with homemade vanilla ice cream and homemade caramel sauce, if desired.
Apple Crisp
Equipment
Ingredients
Crumble Topping:
- 2/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup salted butter, , cut into small pieces
Apple filling:
- 3-4 large Granny Smith apples*, , peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 Tablespoons salted 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
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For serving (optional):
- vanilla Ice Cream
- Homemade Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Crumble Toppings: In a medium size bowl combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder. Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender or fork until well combined. Refrigerate while you prepare the apple filling.2/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ cup salted butter
- Apple Filling: (I use a Johnny Apple Peeler to peel, core and slice the apples all at once.) In a small bowl stir together melted butter and flour until smooth. Add lemon juice, milk and vanilla and stir. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour butter mixture over apples and toss to coat.3-4 large Granny Smith apples*, 3 Tablespoons salted butter, 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 3 Tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Bake: Pour apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over the apples. Bake for about 35 minutes or until golden brown and top is set. Remove from oven cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream and homemade caramel sauce, if desired.vanilla Ice Cream, Homemade Caramel Sauce
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Text me new recipe ideas!
Simple, tasty ideas sent once a week. No spam.
Follow Me
I originally shared this recipe November 2017. Updated September 2021, November 2023 and September 2026.
Holy Moly!!!! Amazing! and the Caramel Sauce????? I want to eat it with a spoon!!! My husband and I have eaten Keto for 4 years – so when we splurge – we want the best and THIS IS IT!
This looks awesome! Any suggestions on making this gluten free? How necessary is the flour?
Hi Haleigh, I’m sure you could get away with substituting out the flour–the flour helps to add thickness to the crumb topping. You could try pulverizing oats or using an oat flour instead. (And then also add the whole oats). Let me know how you like it!
I had to do exactly this because I’m out of flour, but made oat flour and used it in the listed proportion for regular flour. I don’t think it affects the outcome and I like the oatiness of the oat flour for this recipe. Yum! Just what I needed for this fall movie night 😀
Kroger oats are gluten free and there are some great Gf flours too!!
I always use oat flour and it works perfectly and adds more protein/nutrition in the process. I often eat leftovers for breakfast with some kefir poured over top…100 % delicious!!! Lol
I made this tonight. I melted a pack of the individually wrapped caramels with a 1/2 cup of milk and poured over the top after the crisp was cooked. It was delicious! I see this again in my family’s near future.
How would you go about tweaking the amount of ingredients for a 9 x 13 pan? I’ve never made Apple crisp before but I want a big cake pan full to serve a lot of people…what do you suggest I use?
Hi Molly, you could double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 pan! Hope you love it! 🙂
I just made it and it is so delicious. My question is, how can I make it in individual ramekins? How would you alter the temp and/or baking time?
Hi Lisa, I would bake them for about 13-18 minutes and check them at that point. The crumb topping should be golden brown.
This was definitely a winner recipe!! Came out perfect and everyone loved it especially my pregnant self 🙂
I just made this. So good. I can’t bake and it turned out great.
Thanks for your comment Becky! 🙂
I just made this and I am eating it right now. It is the best!
Thanks Karen! Glad you like it!!
Thank you for commenting after you made it 🙂 I know it looks good but I needed to hear someone who said it tasted good! Now, I am making it
yes thank you karen for making it and THEN commenting.
Apple crisp is one of my favorite things to eat! Great presentation too!
i just have to comment. I have some beautiful honey crisp apples and wanted to make Apple crisp for a nice Sunday dessert. So I opened up Pinterest and went to my favorite food blogs board and clicked on your blog. And what do I find right here on the homepage for today? Apple Crisp! Awesome coincidence. Looks like a delicious recipe!
That is an awesome coincidence–meant to be! 🙂 Hope you like it!
Looks delicious! Perfect for fall!
This looks sooo good! I love apple crisp.