There’s something undeniably comforting about the scent of cinnamon and baked apples wafting from the oven. As autumn leaves begin to fall or even when you’re just craving a taste of home, apple crisp stands out as the ultimate easy-to-make dessert. It’s the less fussy, equally delicious cousin to apple pie, offering all the warm, spiced apple goodness beneath a crunchy, buttery oat topping.
Perfect on its own, with a dollop of whipped cream, or – the undisputed champion pairing – a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream, this apple crisp recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite. It’s simple, satisfying, and celebrates the humble apple in the most delightful way.
The Recipe: Classic Apple Crisp
This recipe strikes the perfect balance between tender, flavorful apples and a golden, crunchy topping that you’ll want to eat by the spoonful.
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 40-50 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Apple Filling:
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6-8 medium apples (about 6 cups sliced – see notes for best varieties), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
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¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ tsp ground nutmeg
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1 tbsp lemon juice (prevents browning and adds brightness)
For the Crisp Topping:
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1 cup (90g) old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant!)
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½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
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½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ tsp salt
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½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch baking dish (or a 2-quart oval/round dish).
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Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated. Pour the apple mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
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Make the Crisp Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk briefly to combine.
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Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry topping ingredients. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or two knives, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. This creates that wonderfully crumbly texture.
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Assemble & Bake: Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish.
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Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet (to catch any potential spills from bubbling apples). Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a knife, and the topping is golden brown and bubbly. If the topping browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
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Cool & Serve: Let the apple crisp cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly. Serve warm!
Tips for the Best Apple Crisp:
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Choose the Right Apples: A mix of sweet and tart apples works best for a balanced flavor. Great choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Braeburn, or Jonagold. Granny Smiths are excellent for holding their shape and providing tartness.
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Don’t Skimp on Butter: Cold butter is key for a truly crumbly, golden topping. Using softened butter can result in a more cake-like texture.
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Old-Fashioned Oats Only: Instant or quick oats will get too mushy. Stick to old-fashioned rolled oats for that classic texture.
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Storage: Leftover apple crisp can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
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Add Nuts (Optional): For extra crunch and flavor, feel free to add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to your crisp topping mixture.
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Extra Spices: Feeling adventurous? A pinch of ground cloves or allspice can add another layer of warm spice to your apple filling.
There you have it – a straightforward, foolproof recipe for a classic apple crisp. Whether it’s a weeknight treat or a holiday gathering, this humble dessert delivers maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Enjoy the warmth and sweetness!