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Our favorite Apple Crisp recipe is made with thinly sliced Granny Smith apples coated in a sauce and baked with an oatmeal crumb topping.
Want more dessert recipes? Try my Peach Cobbler, Classic Pumpkin Rolls, or Blondies!
Why this is the BEST apple crisp:
- Sauce – Unlike most apple crisp recipes, the apples are tossed in a cinnamon glaze sauce that give more flavor and really takes it to the next level.
- Easier than pie – We all love apple pie, but homemade apple crisp is much easier and quicker to prepare, and tastes just as good.
- Crowd Pleaser – Top this easy apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it is irresistible! Double it and bake in a 9×13” pan, for a larger group.
How to make Apple Crisp:
Crumble topping: In a medium size bowl combine the crumb topping ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until well combined. Refrigerate.
Peel and Slice Apples: I use a Johnny Apple Peeler to peel, core, and slice the apples all at once. It's inexpensive and makes the process a lot faster!
Toss Apples in Sauce: Add melted butter and flour to a small bowl and stir to combine. Add lemon juice, milk and vanilla and stir well. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss the apples in the sauce, then pour mixture into a 8×8” baking dish.
Bake: Sprinkle the crumble topping over the top of the apples. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. Allow the baked apple crisp to rest and cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This will give the sauce a chance to thicken a little more as it cools.
Serve this simple apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired. Complete HEAVEN! If you love this recipe, give my Apple Coffee Cake a try!
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Make the apple filling as instructed but add an extra splash of lemon juice to keep the apples from turning brown. Store in an air-tight container, in the fridge, for up to one day. Make the crumb topping and store separately in the fridge.
To Freeze: Prepare and bake quick apple crisp as directed. Cool completely, then cover 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.
Recipe Variations:
- Gluten Free Apple Crisp: Substitute Gluten-free flour and oats.
- Apple Crisp Without Oats: Omit the oats and add an extra ⅓ cup flour and ⅓ cup brown sugar.
- Crockpot Apple Crisp: Place prepared apple filling in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add crumble topping. Place a few paper towels on top of the oat topping, to keep condensation from the lid from making the topping soggy. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours until apples are tender.
- Instant Pot Apple Crisp
- Dutch Apple pie: Pour the apple filling into an unbaked pie shell. Add the crumb topping on top. Bake for about 45 minutes, until apples are tender. Cool for 2 hours before slicing and serving.
More Apple Recipes:
- How to make Caramel Apples
- Baked Apples
- Apple Coffee Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
- Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
The BEST 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 and November 2023.
Recipe adapted from Cooking Classy.
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!
Was awesome and i am sitting here waiting for it smells sooo good. Mmmmm.
This truly is the best apple crisp! I’ll toss my old recipe and put this into my file instead. I made it for a dinner party and it was so good that there was none left for the next day. Highly recommend this!
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.
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.
This was fantastic and easy! LOVE IT!
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
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.
Have instant packet oatmeal. Can I use that?
You could try it but it will change the flavor and texture!
Could I susbtitute for pears?
Sure! Sounds delicious!
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..