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.
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!
Diane Flanagan says
This was very good!! I didn’t have juice so I used applesauce :). The only other change was I used 4 Tbsp of butter in the topping rather than 8. Will be making again very soon. Yummy
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Katie says
Very delicious! Definitely a keeper recipe. Used Jonathan apples we got from a local fruit farm. For the topping, I made 1.5x the amount it calls for to make it extra crispy (1 cup flour, 1 cup oats, etc) and for the past few minutes put it on broil. Thanks for the recipe!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Gabrielle says
Sooo good!! Ran out of brown sugar so used regular sugar in the topping but otherwise followed recipe to a T and it turned out really well. Will definitely make again!!
Allison says
Thanks for the kind review. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Miranda says
We loved it so much that the first one was gone before I even got a chance to take a picture. Made a second one the very next day.
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Teri says
I made this for my nephew’s birthday this week and he loved it! It sure is easier than making an apple pie and it’s so yummy.
Jim Powers says
The recipe I’ve been searching for to add to my file card recipe box. Thanks
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Barb Hurley says
Oh my…this is the 2nd time I have tried your recipe and it is the BEST apple crisp I’ve ever had. Thank-you for sharing!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Carol Humphreys says
Twist it up a little for the holidays, add a handful of cranberries. Gives it a little tart taste and some beautiful holiday coloring.
Allison says
Perfect! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Ayooitslexayy says
Ran out of topping but made fhree batches and had to use splenda still delicious
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jill says
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was excellent!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂