I absolutely love this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe because it hits that perfect sweet and cozy spot every time. Whether you’re craving something comforting after dinner or want a simple dessert to impress without spending hours, this recipe totally delivers. Plus, it’s got that delicious, warm cinnamon flavor with a crunchy topping that just can’t be beat.

When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how easy it was to throw together with basic pantry ingredients. You don’t need to be an expert baker to get it right, and you’ll find that the contrast between tender, tart apples and the buttery oat crumb topping makes everyone go crazy for it. Trust me, once you make this easy apple crisp, it’ll be on your regular rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your kitchen, making it a stress-free treat.
  • Easy to Customize: You can easily swap apples or add nuts and spices to make it your own.
  • Perfect Balance: Tart apples meet a crunchy, buttery topping for a flavor combo everyone loves.
  • Great for Any Occasion: From weeknight dessert to holiday gatherings, this recipe fits right in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient works harmoniously to create that classic apple crisp. Granny Smith apples bring the perfect tartness while the oats and brown sugar in the topping add warmth and crunch. Shopping tip: use cold butter so the topping bakes up crumbly and golden.

  • Granny Smith apples: Their tartness balances the sweet topping beautifully.
  • Granulated sugar: Sweetens the apple filling just right without overpowering.
  • All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the filling and holds the crumble topping together.
  • Salt: Enhances the flavors, making everything pop.
  • Cinnamon: Adds that signature warm spice everyone loves in apple desserts.
  • Old-fashioned oats: Create the perfect texture for the crisp topping.
  • Brown sugar: Gives the topping a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
  • Baking soda & baking powder: Lighten the topping so it’s not too dense.
  • Cold butter: Essential for that melt-in-your-mouth crumbly topping.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this easy apple crisp recipe to make it unique depending on the season or who I’m serving. It’s such a forgiving dessert, so if you want to mix in nuts or try different spices, go for it! Experimenting is part of the fun, and you might find a new favorite version.

  • Adding nuts: I often throw in chopped pecans or walnuts to add a satisfying crunch and a slightly nutty flavor.
  • Swapping apples: While Granny Smith apples are my go-to, mixing in Fuji or Honeycrisp gives a sweeter twist.
  • Spice variations: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a warm, cozy flavor profile.
  • Gluten-free topping: Use gluten-free oats and flour to make it safe for those with sensitivities—it still tastes amazing!

How to Make Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Apples Just Right

Start by peeling, coring, and slicing 4 cups of Granny Smith apples. I like to slice them relatively thin so they soften nicely in the oven without turning to mush. Toss the apple slices with sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl — this mix thickens the filling and spices it up perfectly. This prep step really sets flavor foundations, so don’t skip stirring everything well.

Step 2: Mix the Streusel Topping

Using the same bowl (fewer dishes, yay!), combine old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Here’s the trick: cut the cold butter into the oat mixture with a pastry blender or fork until it looks crumbly — like coarse sand. This step is key because the cold butter melts in the oven creating those irresistible crunchy bits on top.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Spray an 8×8 baking pan with cooking spray and pour in the apple filling. Then sprinkle the oat streusel evenly on top and gently pat it down to help it bake uniformly. Pop it into your preheated oven at 350ºF and bake for 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling. Patience here is rewarded with a perfectly textured dessert.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

  • Use tart apples: Granny Smith’s tang keep the sweetness in check and gives a fresh bite.
  • Keep butter cold: Cold butter makes for that buttery, crumbly topping that we all crave.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan: Spread apples evenly so they cook uniformly and don’t get soggy.
  • Check topping color: Bake until topping is golden, but if it browns too fast, tent with foil to avoid burning.

How to Serve Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

A white plate with a warm apple crumble dessert is shown, featuring a base layer of soft, golden brown cooked apple slices covered by a crumbly, light brown oat and sugar topping. On top of the crumble, there is a melting scoop of white vanilla ice cream with a creamy texture, slightly dripping over the edges onto the apples below. A shiny silver fork rests at the edge of the plate, and the plate is set on a white marbled surface with a blurred green apple in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of serving apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — the cold creaminess makes every bite heavenly. Sometimes I add a drizzle of caramel sauce or even a sprinkle of toasted nuts to elevate the texture and flavor even more. Fresh whipped cream is another crowd-pleaser that I always keep on hand.

Side Dishes

When I serve this easy apple crisp for a bigger meal, it pairs wonderfully with roasted pork or grilled chicken — the sweet apples complement savory mains perfectly. It also works as a sweet finish after a casual brunch with friends, alongside coffee or hot apple cider.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to portion the apple crisp into cute mini ramekins—it makes it feel extra special and easy to serve. Another fun idea I discovered is layering the apple crisp over Greek yogurt for a breakfast parfait that tastes like dessert. Adding fresh mint or edible flowers on top can make a beautiful presentation for company.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover leftover apple crisp tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for about 3-4 days, and the flavors even deepen after a day. Just grab a spoon and enjoy straight from the fridge or warmed up.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully! I like to portion it into freezer-safe containers before baking. Then, when I want a quick treat, I bake it from frozen but add a few extra minutes to the bake time. It’s a real lifesaver during busy weeks or unexpected guests.

Reheating

To reheat apple crisp, I pop it in the oven at 325ºF for about 15 minutes until warm and bubbly. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that topping crunchy—oven reheating maintains the wonderful texture that makes this dessert so special.

FAQs

  1. Can I use apples other than Granny Smith for this easy apple crisp recipe?

    Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness and texture, you can mix in sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp for a different flavor profile. Just keep in mind that softer apples might cook down more and change the texture a bit.

  2. How do I prevent the topping from getting soggy?

    Using cold butter and cutting it into the dry ingredients well helps create that crumbly, crisp topping. Also, spreading the topping evenly and patting it down firmly before baking helps it bake up crunchy and golden. If your oven tends to brown things quickly, tent the crisp with foil partway through baking.

  3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

    Yes! Simply swap regular all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free oats. The texture and flavor remain delicious, and it’s perfect for those avoiding gluten.

  4. What’s the best way to serve apple crisp?

    The classic way is warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. You can also try it with caramel sauce, yogurt for a breakfast twist, or alongside a cup of hot coffee or cider for extra coziness.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s reliable, delicious, and so straightforward. I always know I can whip it up for family or friends, even at the last minute, and it will be a hit. Seriously, if you love cozy desserts that feel homemade with little fuss, you’ll want to try this recipe—it just might become your new favorite way to enjoy apples.

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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 127 reviews
  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Easy Apple Crisp is a comforting dessert featuring tender Granny Smith apples baked under a buttery, crunchy oat streusel topping. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and lightly sweetened, this classic apple crisp comes together quickly and is excellent served warm with milk or ice cream.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Filling:

  • 4 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Streusel:

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup cold butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray an 8×8 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Apple Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly so the apples are well coated with the dry ingredients.
  3. Transfer Filling to Pan: Pour the apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out to create an even layer.
  4. Make Streusel Topping: Using the same bowl, mix together the old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder until well combined.
  5. Cut in Butter: Add the cold butter to the oat mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly and sandy in texture.
  6. Top the Apples: Evenly sprinkle the oat streusel mixture over the apple filling and gently pat it down to form a firm topping layer.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
  8. Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with milk or a scoop of your favorite ice cream for extra indulgence.

Notes

  • Granny Smith apples are ideal for baking due to their tartness and firm texture, but you can substitute with other baking apples if preferred.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
  • Make sure the butter is cold when cutting into the streusel to achieve a crumbly texture.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
  • Adding a handful of chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the streusel adds a nice crunch.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/9th of recipe)
  • Calories: 260
  • Sugar: 23g
  • Sodium: 110mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 18mg

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