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
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Recipe
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
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I originally shared this recipe November 2017. Updated September 2021 and November 2023.
Recipe adapted from Cooking Classy.
This post contains affiliate links.
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 grew up having apple crisp with a bottom crust of the same ingredients as the top crust. So I doubled the crumble topping and used it for a bottom crust and a top crust. I also doubled the apple mixture because I just moved and didn’t have a smaller 8 x8 pand nor a 13×9. I used a 14×10 inch pan and I did add some nutmeg to the crumble mixture . it came out great. When I made this years ago I remember just adding brown sugar and cinnamon to the apple mixture. I like this sauce (as I call it)
I love the idea of adding a crumb crust as well! YUM! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I want to try this! If one doesn’t like dessert too sweet, is this a recipe that may be good with less sugar? Or is ur just right?
You could add a little less sugar, although I don’t think it’s overly-sweet 🙂
Just made this and put it in the oven. Can’t wait to try it
Amazing!!!!!!! I just made thisdish and was going to wait for after dinner but it smelled and looked so yummy, I had to try it. I put some in a dish with some ice cream and my mouth is still watering for more. Awesome dish.
We. Ate. The. Whole. Thing! It smelled so good none of us could even stand to let it cool a bit before digging in to it! We ate it straight from the oven! Definitely saving this recipe!
I just had to comment. I am not great at baking, cooking…any of it. But I just made this and my hubby and I both agree it was the best we ever had. Thanks for the great recipe!
Made this on Christmas as a dessert it was amazingly delicious. I couldnt stop eating it. I did make a few changes, I didnt have the apples the recipe called for however i had some Gala apples that were a bit too soft for me to eat so i used them instead. I made mine completely gluten and dairy free. I substituted flour for a gluten free all purpose flour and in place of milk i used soy milk. I couldnt tell it was gluten and dairy free. I will be making this soon. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
Ok first time baker, and the crumbs on top were just flour even after over 45 minutes, then the oats started to burn so I removed it. I think the butter quantity in the crumbs mix is off? I cant imagine it even being close to the pic without more butter.
hi! I know this sounds super lazy but would the apple pie filling in a can work?? I really want to make it now but don’t have enough apples!!
Of course! You could use your apple pie filling for the base and then add the crumble on top 🙂
How many servings does this recipe serve??
About 5 servings