Published October 15, 2017. Updated October 26, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Apple Crisp–this is hands down the best apple crisp recipe you’ll try! This is my go-to fall dessert and one of my readers’ favorite recipes. It’s just perfect homestyle comfort food that’s good for the soul on a cold fall day. And of course, people of all ages love it.
The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
Fall treats are just BETTER. I love using fresh, seasonal ingredients because it just makes everything taste more vibrant. Since it’s apple season—this recipe is perfect for putting those crunchy, delicious apples to use. Plus, I love that this easy apple crisp doesn’t take as much work as an apple pie, but it has similarly luscious flavors.
This homemade apple crisp is packed with fresh, juicy apples that are perfectly sweetened and baked until perfectly tender. And don’t even get me started on that crumb topping! It’s crispy, golden brown, buttery perfection.
Trust me—this apple crisp will be the highlight of any meal. I mean, if I had it my way this would be the main meal :).
Easy Apple Crisp Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Old-fashioned rolled oats
- Light brown sugar
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granny Smith apples
- Lemon
- Vanilla extract
Scroll below for full printable recipe.
Want to see how easy this apple crisp recipe is? Watch the video!
How to Make Apple Crisp
- Adjust oven rack and preheat oven. Butter baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl whisk together 1/2 cup flour, oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, baking powder, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Rub butter into dry mixture with fingertips until it comes together into small crumbles. Refrigerate.
- In a bowl whisk together melted butter and flour until well blended, then mix in water, lemon juice and vanilla. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and pinch of salt.
- Toss apples with butter mixture in a bowl then pour into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with crumble apple crisp topping.
- Bake in preheated oven until top is golden brown and apples are tender.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
What Are the Best Apples for Baked Apple Desserts?
I prefer using a sturdy cooking apple that’s slightly tart, like Granny Smiths. Other apples would work, like braeburn or golden delicious, but sugar amounts and bake times might need to be adjusted.
Your apples should also be room temperature (this ensures that they bake evenly in the oven).
What Should I Serve on Top of Apple Cobbler?
The best way to serve this is always with vanilla ice cream. Then, for an added bonus if you have time make some homemade salted caramel sauce.
Tips for the Best Apple Crisp
- Be sure to slice your apples thinly so they become fully tender. No one wants a crunchy apple in their apple crisp.
- Stick with granny smith apples for consistent results.
- If you only have salted butter on hand, reduce the salt in the topping to 1/8 tsp and omit the salt in the filling.
- Serve this homemade apple crisp freshly baked and warm. It will be okay for a couple of days, but the topping does start to soften up so I like it best fresh.
Crisps and crumbles are one of my favorite desserts because I love fruit and I’m head over heels crazy for a good sweet, crisp topping.
Plus, I love that they are faster than pies and you don’t have to wait 2 hours for pie crust to chill, then 2 hours for the pie to cool.
This is what fall weekends are all about! Walks through the autumn trees where you’re all bundled up cozy, warm apple cider and hot cocoa, pumpkin patch shopping and carving, and this easy apple crisp. It’s a must!
More Apple Desserts You’ll Love:
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce
- Caramel Apple Mini Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping
- Apple Slab Pie with Crumb Topping
- Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce
16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)
4.97 from 219 votes
Print Recipe
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
This apple crisp is a must every fall! Definitely a family favorite. It's brimming with fresh juicy apples, it has the perfect amount of cinnamon sweetness, and that crisp buttery oat topping is what dreams are made of!
Watch the video
Servings: 6 Servings
Prep25 minutes minutes
Cook35 minutes minutes
Ready in: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Ingredients
Topping
- 1/2 cup (70g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup (110g) packed light-brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup (76g) unsalted butter , cold, diced into small cubes
Apple filling
- 2 lbs Granny Smith apples (at room temperature) peeled, cored and sliced thin (about 1/8-inch)
- 3 Tbsp (42g) unsalted butter , melted
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (55g) light-brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and position oven rack one level below the center. Butter an 8 by 8 inch baking dish (or small casserole dish with a similar size), set aside.
In a mixing bowl whisk together 1/2 cup flour, the oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp salt for 30 seconds.
Add diced butter and using clean fingertips, rub butter into dry mixture until it comes together into small crumbles. Transfer to refrigerator to chill while preparing filling.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and flour until well blended, then mix in water, lemon juice and vanilla. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and pinch of salt.
Place apples in a large bowl then pour butter mixture over apples and toss to evenly coat, then pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Remove topping from refrigerator and sprinkle into crumbles evenly over top of apples.
Bake in preheated oven until top is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a toothpick, about 35 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce if desired.
Notes
- Be sure to slice your apples thinly so they become fully tender. No one wants a crunchy apple in their apple crisp.
- If you only have salted butter on hand, reduce the salt in the topping to 1/8 tsp and omit the salt in the filling.
- Recipe Source: Cooking Classy (originally shared October 2013)
Nutrition Facts
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 447Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 44mg15%
Sodium 110mg5%
Potassium 288mg8%
Carbohydrates 72g24%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 44g49%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 595IU12%
Vitamin C 7.9mg10%
Calcium 65mg7%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple crisp, apple dessert
Author: Jaclyn
