This is the BEST Apple Crisp recipe – a classic that you’ll come back to again and again! Tender cinnamon apples covered in an easy and delicious brown sugar-oat topping.
If you asked me to pick my favorite fall dessert, it would be this apple crisp. Because it’s old fashioned, because it’s cozy, and because the combo of warm fruit crisp and cold vanilla ice cream gets me every single time.
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If you’ve made my Apple Cranberry Crisp, Strawberry Crisp, Peach Crisp, Blueberry Crisp or Apple-Pear Crisp, you will notice that this recipe is very similar.
Prefer a topping with NO OATS? Try this Apple Crumble. Prefer pumpkin? Try our Pumpkin Crisp.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
Ease: As far as homemade baking goes, this is about as easy as it gets! The hardest part is peeling and slicing the apples, other than that it’s just some stirring.
Flavor: An incredible combination of fresh apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla.
Texture: Soft apples and a crunchy topping with a slight chewiness from oats.
Recipe overview
*Full recipe below in recipe card*
Topping: Combine oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt. Stir in melted butter. This is my favorite fruit crisp topping. The oats add heartiness, the brown sugar adds a depth of sweetness, and the melted butter ensures that every bite has a crisp buttery texture.
Apples: Thinly sliced apples are tossed with apple juice, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. A couple tablespoons of flour thicken the apple mixture, and then they get placed in a greased baking dish.
Assembly: Spread the apples into a greased baking dish. Crumble the topping over the apples.
Baking: Start baking the apple crisp covered with foil. This allows the apples to soften without any risk of the topping over-browning. After about 20 minutes, remove the foil and let the crisp finish cooking uncovered. Once the juices are bubbling, the topping is golden brown, and the apples are tender, it is done!
What type of apples to use?
Use your favorite baking apples. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and Fuji are my favorite for this recipe. If you prefer a less sweet apple crisp, you can use Granny Smith apples.
Make sure you slice the apples thin (¼ inch or thinner). This way they bake evenly and tender every time.
Serving and storage
This apple crisp is best served warm topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can also add a drizzle of caramel sauce, if you’re feeling like it.
Have leftovers? Place them in the refrigerator. You can eat the leftovers cold, straight from the fridge (breakfast of champions), or you can reheat it in the microwave to warm it up again.
Prefer a healthier version? Try my Healthy Apple Crisp!
More apple recipes
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Recipe
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Topping:
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup old fashioned oats
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
Apples:
- 6 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples, see note
- 3 tablespoons apple juice (preferred) or orange juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch deep dish pie plate or 9×9 square baking dish. Set aside.
- Topping: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add melted butter and stir until combined. Place in the refrigerator while you proceed with the filling.
- Filling: In a large bowl combine apples, juice, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir gently until completely combined. Dump the mixture (and any accumulated juices) into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Crumble the topping over the fruit, occasionally pressing some of it together to form clumps.
- Spray a piece of foil with nonstick spray and loosely cover the baking dish. Bake 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown, the apples are tender, and the juices are bubbling around the edges. Allow to cool slightly, the juices will thicken. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Kate G says
This is my grandma’s exact same recipe she’d use but she used strawberry banana juice and a tad more salt! Ty for sharing, gave me good memories
Chris says
This crisp is easy and so very good. It always turns out well.
Allison Mattina says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Brenna says
I have used this recipe since last year and it’s my favorite!! I was hoping to ask if it’s possible to prep this and freeze?
Allison Mattina says
Hi! I’m glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t tried it, but I would assume you could assemble and freeze it. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Bake time will likely need to be increased by a few minutes. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Karen says
I do not have apple juice. can I skip that or should I use water?
Allison Mattina says
I’d recommend using water just to keep the apples from drying out. Enjoy!
Lea Losey says
I have tried different versions of this recipe and found that this one is the best. Thank you!
Allison Mattina says
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shana says
I made this for Christmas Eve dessert and it was a hit with everyone! It pairs perfect with some vanilla ice cream when it’s still a little bit warm. I will definitely be making this again.
Allison Mattina says
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Leslie says
Absolutely delicious!
Allison Mattina says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Susan J says
Great! Slight deviation, I added 1/3 Cupbof cranberries to filling, and 3/4 Cup of chopped walnuts to topping. Very good!
Allison Mattina says
That sounds great! Glad you enjoyed it!
Casey Jibson says
turned out really good! I’ve made it twice so far! I added alittle bit of almond extract in my topping put it over the top.
Allison Mattina says
That sounds great! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
KT says
Question: best way to prep so you can throw it together in the oven while eating dinner??
I’d love to serve it warm fresh from the oven. With my toddler running under me it’s just easier to prep first then have a prepared dish ready to go. Assemble/ refrigerate/ bake later? Add a few minutes since it will be cool from the fridge?
Allison Mattina says
Hi! I haven’t tried it, but I would assume you could assemble and refrigerate it for a few hours. You’ll likely need to add a few extra minutes in the oven (as you mentioned). I’d probably add 5-10 minutes to the first part of the bake time, when the dish is covered in foil. Enjoy!