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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!
My son loves apple desserts. I have made this twice for him and he eats it all in one day. He doesn’t even put ice cream, whip cream or anything on it because this recipe doesn’t need it. I have used a few apple crisp recipes over the years but this one will not be my go to.
Meant to say, this one will be my go to recipe.
This is the best ever!
Advertisement are so annoying though. We avoid using paper as much as possible but I’m printing it, can’t stand all the pop ups.
This is hands down the BEST apple crisp I have ever had. My family loves it and it will be passed down for generations to come!
I make a ton of different crisp, especially apple crisp. It was one of my husbands favorite desserts. I have recently discovered using Granny Smith apples I don’t need to peel the apples. The peels cook down and can’t tell that the apples haven’t been peeled. Trust me, it works, saves time and adds color to the dish.
Pretty deadly recipe!! I love the crust and the way you cut the apples. Not such a small dice most people do which leaves a little bit of texture with the final product. I added some nutmeg to the filling as it is my favourite spice. Again, super tasty and lovely flavour.
Alek
https://www.privatecateringburnaby.ca/
Best Apple Crisp ever made or tasted! Easy to make and not sweet like most others…..made extra topping. Definitely a keeper!!!
I, too, have been making Apple Crisp for years…this I found to be the best recipe ever..I use Macintosh or Stayman apples. Recommend everyone bake this!
I doubled the oat topping, used 4 apples and used a 9×13 glass baking dish. We like equal parts topping and apple. It is delicious and easy.
IVE BEEN BAKING APPLE CRISP FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND THIS, IS THE WORST APPLE APPLE RECIPE IVE EVER CAME ACROSS.
TOO MUSHY, AND NOT ENOUGH OATS.
NOW AND THEN, I LIKE TO TRY DIFFERENT RECIPES, BUT FROM NOW ON, WILL STICK WITH MY OWN RECIPE.
I will have to agree with you. I would like to try your recipe. Is it online somewhere?
People are so rude!
By far, the best Apple Crisp recipe that I have ever made!! This is how I found Tastes Better From Scratch and I have been making many of her recipes ever since!!