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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.
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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!
I cannot wait to make this! Do you know if you could use this recipe on top of a pie crust instead of just having it all in a dish by itself? Would the ingredients be too moist for a crust? thanks!
Hi Ashley, I haven’t tried it as a pie so I can’t say for sure. You could try halving the mixture that goes in the apple filling and I bet it would turn out great (not soggy)…let me know if you end up trying it!
Thanks, Lauren! I will be making it tonight! I will let you know! It looks SO yummy ad it is..I can’t wait!
hi Lauren! This looks great but what if I don’t have the Oates? Is there anything I can do to make up for it? Like double some of the other ingredients?
Hi Katie, The oats give it a thick and crumbly texture. I wouldn’t recommend substituting them… sorry to not be more help!
Looks delicious definitely look forward to making this. Now this may be an obviously question but for the crumbs you said you use unsalted but for the filling just butter am I assume that it would be salted butter or unsalted as well?
Hi Bree, I used salted butter in the filling. You could use unsalted and just add a pinch of salt
I just made this and it’s awesome! I added some banana slices which I find taste so yummy with the caramelized butter and sugar topping, as well as some fresh nutmeg. Thanks for the great recipe!
Yum! I love the idea of adding banana slices! Glad you liked it! 🙂
This recipe was not only easy to follow, but absolutely DELICIOUS. I gave you a little shout-out in my blog and shared your recipe, crediting you for all the brains of course 🙂 Thanks again and can’t wait to try some of your other concoctions. They all look amazing!
https://theplateandpaletteblog.wordpress.com/category/cupcakes-cakes/
If you want to use a 13x9in pan would you have to double the recipe??
Yes, double the recipe for a 9×13 pan! 🙂
oh ok thank you 🙂
I’m baking this right now I felt like there was to much crumb I followed instructions with measurements n all is that ok if there’s allot of crumb ??
My sister in law brought this recipe to a gathering, and I think it is the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. Sooooooo good. I wanted to eat the entire pan. My husband and I got into a fork war over the leftovers. 😉 I am taking it to a work pot luck on Friday. Thanks for sharing!
Do you use light brown sugar or dark brown on the apple crisp?
Hi Kim, I use light brown sugar
I’m not finding the recipe ??
Hi Colleen, I’m so sorry, my site is having technical problems with the recipe card when viewed on a desktop or tablet device. You will be able to see the recipe if you pull it up on your mobile phone. I’m trying to resolve the problem ASAP. Sorry for the inconvenience!
i made this tonight, loved it!