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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!

Apple Crisp served in a bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

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.

Oats, flour, cinnamon brown sugar and cubed butter in a bowl to make cumb topping for apple crisp.

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!

Sliced apples tossed in sauce, in a bowl.

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.

Crumb topping be added on sliced apples in a pan, to make apple crisp.

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.

A baking dish with baked apple crisp in it, hot from the oven.

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:

4.75 from 1082 votes

The BEST Apple Crisp

Author: Lauren Allen
Our favorite Apple Crisp recipe is made with Granny Smith apples and a delicious oatmeal crumb topping. It's irresistible!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 6

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Ingredients 
 

Crumble Topping:

Apple filling:

For serving (optional):

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

Apples: Granny Smith, Gala apples, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or any tart apple work great for baking. But, really any kind of apples will work for apple crisp.
Make Ahead Instructions:  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.
Freezing Instructions: Prepare and bake 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.
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
Caramel Pecan 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 64mg, Potassium: 235mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 560IU, Vitamin C: 6.1mg, Calcium: 63mg, Iron: 1.2mg

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.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

4.75 from 1082 votes (853 ratings without comment)
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Leslie
1 year ago

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!

Annelise
10 years ago

I have used many recipes for apple crisp over the years. Yesterday I went online to find a new recipe for same, and stumbled across this one. The photos should suffice – they did for me. Have you ever seen a more delectable looking dessert? An hour later, we were enjoying the best apple crisp any of us had ever had. It was aMAzing. Just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. I doubled the spices (but I always do that in ginger breads, pumpkin pie, carrot cake), and I didn’t have milk, so used heavy cream. If I could have only one dessert for the rest of my life, I would choose this. Thanks for the exceptional recipe!!

KK
10 years ago

This is truly the best apple crisp that I have ever tasted! As an experiment, I substituted the brown sugar for coconut palm sugar (which is unrefined and has a low glycemic index)… Delicious!!!

Lindsay
10 years ago

I see in the comments how to make early and put in the fridge but how about freezing it? Do you think that is possible? Separating the filling and topping in different containers?

Seph
10 years ago

This recipe was absolutely delicious and I plan to make more! l was bored out of my mind and looked up “easy desserts” on Pinterest and found your recipe there and I’m very glad I did! 🙂

Jessica
10 years ago

I almost never leave reviews. However, I made this yesterday for a dinner with friends and OH MY the best crisp I have ever had. It was simple and amazing. I will never look for another apple crisp recipe now. I did double the recipe and baked in a 9×13 like other reviewers mentioned. It was perfect and I used 8 apples. To tell you the truth I don’t think I’ll ever make less than a double batch of this – even if it’s only for 2 of us!

Tiana
10 years ago

Have you ever put this in the freezer? Just prepare then cover and freeze? If so, how would you cook it? Let it thaw or put it in the oven frozen?

Grace
10 years ago

I have made your amazing Apple Crisp about 10 times now! Seriously during my pregnancy with my now 4th old baby girl, I was OBSESSED with this! Lol! I got my friends hooked and although she can’t eat any food yet my daughter, no doubt will love it one day too! Thank you!

Maggie
10 years ago

I made this crisp and it was a huge hit! Will be adding this to the repertoire. Thanks!

Becca
10 years ago

I’m new to baking. I don’t have baking powder…is that a necessity for topping?

Kara
10 years ago

I have some canned apples that I would like to use up, do I just reduce the cooking time?

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