This old-fashioned Apple Crisp recipe makes a cozy, sweet treat! Tasty apples, brown sugar, and butter create a rich apple dessert topped with a decadent oat streusel for the BEST apple crisp!
If you love comforting and warm desserts like this easy apple crisp with streusel topping, you will enjoy these fruit desserts, too! My easy peach cobbler, blueberry cobbler, and classic banana pudding are a few more simple, delicious fruit desserts to try.
When I think of warm, cozy, comfort food desserts, this heavenly Apple Crisp always comes to mind. With a warm apple filling that gets a buttery, caramel flavor that is out of this world, a crisp oat streusel topping that is amazing, and a baking aroma that is out of this world intoxicating, this favorite apple dessert is high on the list. Everyone in my family loves it – and since it’s an egg-free sweet treat, it’s a perfect dessert to serve for so many events.
I make this dessert year-round, but you can count on enjoying it at my house on one of the first cool days of fall! It is perfect to serve along with your Thanksgiving pies or easy enough to make for dessert whenever you crave it! It’s an old-fashioned apple crisp we’ve made in my family for generations, and I know you will find it so delicious and easy that you will make it often, too!
Table of Contents
How to Make Apple Crisp
This dessert is loaded with a combination of apples that make the most amazing filling as they bake. In fact, using the best combination of apples for this dessert makes a big difference in the final taste. And having a perfect ratio of apples to streusel topping makes it so delicious! Here’s how you’ll make it.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling, you’ll need:
- apples – I use a combination of what I call Baking, Eating, and Tart apples. See the section on Apples to follow. You will need 7 medium apples that are peeled, cored, and sliced.
- lemon juice – this enhances the flavor of the apples and keeps them from turning brown.
- brown sugar – the sweetener used for this recipe that gives a rich, deep flavor to the dessert.
- flour – all-purpose flour thickens the filling.
- cinnamon – this warm spice complements the taste of the apples.
- butter – use melted butter.
- salt – a bit of kosher salt enhances the sweetness of the apples.
For the Apple Crisp Oat Streusel Topping, you’ll need:
- flour – all-purpose flour is the base for this topping.
- brown sugar – sweetens the oat streusel topping with a deep, rich taste.
- oats – use quick-cooking oats
- cinnamon – the warm spice enhances the oat topping
- baking powder – works with the flour to create the base for the topping.
- salt – kosher salt balances the sweetness and enhances the oat streusel topping taste.
- butter – use softened butter to create the crumbly texture of the streusel topping.
What Are The Best Apples for Apple Crisp?
Through the years of experimenting, I found I loved to use a combination of apples when baking in many apple desserts – like my Apple Pie or in this recipe.
I like using Baking Apples for how soft they become, Eating Apples for the sweet, crisp texture, and Tart Apples, like Granny Smith, because the tartness helps to round out the perfect combination of apple flavor.
- Baking Apples – such as Cortland, Braeburn, and Rome apples
- Eating Apples – Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Sweetango apples
- Tart Apples – Granny Smith apples
The apples that you choose impact the flavor of your dessert. The combination of sweet and tart apples gives a perfect balance. Using all sweet apples may make the dessert too sweet, while all tart apples can not be sweet enough.
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
You’ll make the Apple Crisp Oat Streusel Topping first:
Make the streusel topping by adding flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl.
Then, whisk dry ingredients to combine and add the softened butter.
Use your clean fingers, a fork or a pastry blender to work the softened butter into the flour mixture until well combined.
Place the oat streusel topping in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the Apple Filling.
To make the Apple Crisp Filling next:
Make the apple filling by combining apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, butter, and salt in a large bowl.
Toss the apples in the other ingredients to make sure the apples are well coated.
Pour the apple filling mixture into your prepared baking dish.
Now, take the chilled streusel topping from the refrigerator and top the apple filling mixture.
Bake until the apples are tender and the streusel topping has turned golden brown, about 45 minutes. Place baking dish on cooling rack to cool for a few minutes and serve warm.
Storage Tips
To Refrigerate. Cover leftovers or place in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To Make Ahead or Freeze. Make the recipe without baking, wrap it well, cover it in an airtight freezer-safe container, and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed until done.
You can also bake the recipe, cool it completely, wrap it well, place it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at recipe temperature for about 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and warmed throughout.
If you wish to make ahead and bake the next day, prepare the recipe according to instructions and do not bake; wrap well and place in the refrigerator for up to one day prior to baking. Then bake as directed until done.
Optional Apple Crisp Toppings
This dessert is absolutely delicious and needs no toppings other than the oat streusel topping, but sometimes you may get in the mood to take it over the top! Many times, you’ll find me serving this dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon ice cream. You can quickly make my homemade whipped cream and put a dollop on top, too! And if you are really feeling decadent, some of my homemade Easy Caramel Sauce drizzled on top is divine!
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, I leave some of the peeling on my apples. I like the taste and the bits of color that may peek through as you spoon into the dessert. Other times, I completely peel the apples.
Apple crisps usually have oats or nuts mixed as part of the streusel topping ingredients, but a crumble does not. Both are baked fruit desserts layered with a topping.
Bake according to recipe instructions until the fruit filling begins to bubble around the edges and the streusel topping is golden brown and crisp.
More Apple and Fall Favorite Recipes
- Classic Pumpkin Pie
- Sweet Potato Casserole – great with the meal and as a dessert!
- Apple Cider
- Pecan Pie
- Apple Pie
Here’s my family favorite Apple Crisp recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 medium apples , peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Apple Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup butter , softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Spray 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Apple Crisp Topping:
- Add flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk together to combine. Using clean fingers, work the softened butter into the flour mixture until well combined. Chill in the refrigerator until apple filling is prepared.
Apple Crisp Filling:
- Combine apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, butter, and salt in a large bowl, tossing to make sure apples are well coated. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
- Top apples with Apple Crisp Topping and bake until the apples are tender and top of apple crisp has turned golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Notes
Storage Tips
To Refrigerate. Cover leftovers or place in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To Make Ahead or Freeze. Make the recipe without baking, wrap it well, cover it in an airtight freezer-safe container, and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed until done. You can also bake the recipe, cool it completely, wrap it well, place it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at recipe temperature for about 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and warmed throughout. If you wish to make ahead and bake the next day, prepare the recipe according to instructions and do not bake; wrap well and place in the refrigerator for up to one day prior to baking. Then bake as directed until done.Optional Toppings
You can serve apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, homemade whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Why are the amounts not listed with the ingredients on the directions page? Why does it indicate two cups oats “divided?” Butter without and amount is listed in the directions and with the accompanying ingredients for the filling. On the ingredients list which includes amounts, bitter is not listed for the filling. Is it necessary for the filling? This recipe must be figured out to execute.
Sean, I’m sorry but I think you must have this recipe confused with someone else’s. Amounts for all my ingredients are listed in the recipe and nowhere do I have 2 cups oats divided. I only use one cup oats in the topping.
Am i able to make this the night before and add the topic the next day to cook?
Olivia, if you do make this the night before, make sure your apples are coated well with the lemon juice before adding the other ingredients so the apples don’t turn brown. Cover the apple mixture in the 9×13 pan airtight with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It may take a little longer for the apples to cook since everything has been refrigerated.
Wow thank you! Also cooking oats… does this mean old fashioned Or quick minute oats?
These are the quick 1 minute oats, Olivia.
I made this recipe yesterday. It is the recipe I’ve been looking for. I have tried several recipes and this is the best. The only thing I added was 4tbs of Fireball to the topping.
Why do Americans use so much cinnamon in apple recipes. Try these recipes without the cinnamon and the apple flavour shines through.
Margaret, you can always decrease the amount of cinnamon or omit it as you like. This just contains the amount that my family and friends enjoy. So glad you like it with just the apple flavor.
Hi Robin, thank you for sharing. I will be making this recipe this weekend. ANYTHING apple is my husband’s favorite. Thank you for listing the type of apples you recommend but I”m wondering, do you have a “go-to” combination that you use? Might you share this?
You can use any apples you wish, Debra, but I usually make my apple crisp with a combination of Braeburn, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith apples. Hope you and your husband love this dessert.
This IS the only apple crisp recipe I use. The only thing I add is a 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg to the apple filling. Delicious
It sounds like you love this apple crisp about the same as my family, Ann Marie. Thanks for your tip on the nutmeg.
This recipe was a hit with our guests at a dinner party. Others were asking for the recipe. Best Apple Crisp recipe i have ever made. Two thumbs up from the kids too.
Donna, don’t you love it when your kids like a dish you have made? I’m thrilled that everyone at your dinner party loved this dessert. Thanks!
Seems like a large amount of apples
This is the correct amount of apples that I use, Patty. This apple crisp recipe makes a full 9×13 pan of delicious apples, not just a hint of apple flavor. I hope you try it.
Hello! would this recipe work if i used gluten free flour? Thank you
You can use gluten free flour in this recipe, Christy. I hope you enjoy!