Classic Apple Crisp with Oat Topping

Thinly sliced cinnamon-spiced apples baked to perfection and topped with a sweet, crunchy oat crumble topping. Super easy to make and a no-fuss way to apple-pie flavors.

Classic apple crisp with oat topping on a white plate topped with vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This

Classic Apple Crisp is a must-make treat during the fall season and/or for the upcoming holiday season! Much like apple butter, apple cider, and apple cider donuts.

Sometimes there is nothing better than a simple classic dessert we all remember from childhood, right? This old-fashioned apple crisp recipe will take you back with the first bite.

It’s easier than apple pie and is always a fall dessert crowd-pleaser!

Not to mention the amazing smell that engulfs your home while it’s baking!

Classic apple crisp recipe ingredients on a dark surface.

How to Make this Classic Apple Crisp Recipe

A mix of sweet and tart apples is the perfect flavor combination for this crisp.

I usually use 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup. If you like a dessert to be really sweet, go with 3/4 cup of brown sugar if you like it a little less sweet, use 1/2 cup.

I went 3/4 cup because I was using Granny Smith apples in addition to the Honeycrisp apples.

Thinly sliced apples in a glass bowl mixed with sugars and spices.

Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. This tool makes the job easy! Place them in a large mixing bowl.

Sprinkle with lemon juice, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Toss to evenly coat all the apple slices.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF degrees. Butter an 8×8 baking dish and pour the apple mixture into the baking dish.

Apples and topping in a glass baking dish.

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How to Make Oatmeal Topping

Place the cold butter, oats, flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a medium bowl.

Cut the butter into the other ingredients with a pastry cutter or fork until it forms a crumbly mixture.

Spread the crumb topping evenly over the apples and bake for 35 minutes until the apples are tender and the top is golden brown.

You can check this by sliding a knife into the apples, it should slide in easily.

A serving of the classic apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

Let cool slightly.

Serve warm homemade apple crisp (just like grandma used to make) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

A serving of classic apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

This simple classic dessert brings all the flavors of Fall. It is sweet and tart, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfectly easy and delicious!

Tips

  • I like to use a mix of Granny Smith apples and Honeycrisp apples.
  • The amount of sugar you choose to use will depend on the sweetness of the apples you use and how sweet you like your apple crisp.
  • In my humble opinion, using dark brown sugar instead of granulated sugar adds a depth of flavor that can’t be beaten. It brings an extra layer of warm, cozy fall flavors to the best apple crisp you have ever eaten.
  • To check if the apples are cooked through poke them with the tip of a knife, it should slide easily into the apple slice.

FAQs

What kind of apples should I use for apple crisp?

Granny Smith or Honeycrisp or even a mixture of both. You want a good mix of tartness and sweetness for a delicious apple crisp.

What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

A crumble topping does not typically contain oats and/or nuts like a crisp does.

Freezing

You can freeze the prepared unbaked apple crisp. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze baked apple crisp. Let it cool completely, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat in a 350-degree F oven for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.

Other Apple Dessert Recipes

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Classic apple crisp with oat topping on a white plate topped with vanilla ice cream.

Classic Apple Crisp with Oat Topping Recipe

Thinly sliced cinnamon-spiced apples baked to perfection and topped with a sweet crunchy oat crumble topping. Easy to make and a no-fuss way to apple pie flavors.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 376kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients
 

  • 4 large apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced) (I used 2 large Granny Smith and 2 large Honeycrisp)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (1/2 -3/4 cup depending on the sweetness of your apples)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Crumb Topping

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Butter an 8×8 baking dish set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine the apple slices, lemon juice, vanilla, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Toss to evenly coat all the apples. 
  • In a medium-size bowl combine the butter, oats, flour, dark brown sugar, and salt. Cut the butter into the other ingredients with a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly.
  • Spread the crumb topping evenly over the apples.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until the apples are soft and tender.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

  • The amount of sugar you choose to use will depend on the sweetness of the apples you use and how sweet you like your apple crisp.
Storing – Let the apple crisp cool to room temperature, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing – You can freeze the prepared unbaked apple crisp. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
You can also freeze baked apple crisp. Let it cool completely, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat in a 350-degree F oven for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 213mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

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