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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!
Hullo Lauren. I just tried this recipe for my first time baking. Your directions were nice and simple to follow, and the result was fantastic. I like a good crunchy crisp, so I substituted a granola mix with cranberries and almonds for the oats. My only regret is that I don’t have any vanilla ice cream. Thank you for posting.
This recipe is A-MAZ-ING! When I made the crumble I knew it was going to be good; then I made the coating for the apples- absolute perfection! It coated the apples beautifully. I used a loaf pan and layered it: apples, crumb topping, apples, crumb topping. It baked up wonderfully! This recipe is definitely a step up from the average apple crisp recipe…sorry Grandma !
Thanks Lizzie! I love that you layered it in a loaf pan–great idea! Thanks for your nice comment 🙂
A-mazing! My family loved it!
Looks great! I’m planning on making this for my husband for his birthday. Kind of a win-win because he likes apple pie and I like apple crisp. I’ve wondered about adding a splash of rum into the apple filling– almost making a bread pudding-esque sauce….maybe?
Thanks for posting!
Fe
Hi Fe, How fun–I hope he loves it!! I’ve never tried adding a splash of rum, but if you like the flavor then I’m sure it would be yummy…
Found your page from Pinterest. Sharing this recipe with my readers, today! Tried it and it was a hit in my house! Thanks so much for sharing!!
omg, just made this and I almost ate the whole thing (almost, but I had to stop myself). This is definitely a keeper and will be making this again soon.
I made this today and it was delicious. I’m loving the idea of adding or switching with bananas. I think pears would be a good addition too. Very easy to make!
I have made this twice and loved it. Everything was perfectly balanced. I found another recipe to make a sour cherry crisp. I would have loved it if I had the same coating and crisp parts to it.. Not sure if you can comment to using this recipe with cherries.. even canned drained tart cherries?
Hi Susan, I’m happy you’ve liked it! I’m sure it would be delicious with drained tart cherries! You wouldn’t need the lemon juice. I’d love to hear how you like it!
I made this over the weekend and it was SOOOOO incredibly delicious! It came out perfect! And it was so fun to make, boyfriend and his friend actually got really excited helping me slice the apples and melt the butter/flour mix. It was SO easy to make and SO very hard not to eat the entire thing in one setting haha. We ate it a la mode with a nutty ice cream and just… I can’t stress enough how delicious this was! So happy I made it! Thank you sOoOoOOoO much for the recipe! <3
Alice thank you so much for your nice comment! I love hearing when readers make things and how they liked it! So glad you and your friends/bf liked it!
Just made this and it was so good. Even my super picky son loved it!