Name: Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup old-fashioned oats; ½ cup packed brown sugar; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup melted butter; 3 large apples; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; ¼ cup packed brown sugar; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

There’s something special about a warm, homemade apple crisp straight from the oven. The aroma of baked apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar fills the kitchen, creating a cozy atmosphere that’s hard to resist. If you’re new to baking and want to make a simple, foolproof dessert, this easy apple crisp recipe is the perfect place to start. With just a handful of basic ingredients and a few simple steps, you’ll be able to create a delicious, classic apple crisp that will have everyone asking for seconds.

A freshly baked easy apple crisp recipe with a golden oat topping, perfect for a fall dessert, served in a clear dish with an apple and autumn leaves in the background.

What is Apple Crisp?

Apple crisp is a traditional dessert made with a base of juicy, spiced apples, topped with a buttery, crumbly mixture of oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. It’s baked until the apples are tender and the topping is golden and crisp. Unlike pies, which have a crust, the crisp has a more rustic feel, making it an easier and quicker option for those who might be intimidated by rolling out dough.

Even if you’ve never baked an apple crisp before, this recipe breaks everything down into manageable steps so you can confidently make a dessert that tastes like it came from a seasoned baker’s kitchen.

Love apples? Check out the recipes below:

Ingredients for an easy apple crisp recipe, including fresh apples, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, lemon juice, and butter, arranged on a countertop.

What You’ll Need for Your Apple Crisp

Before you start, gather the ingredients. For the apple filling, you’ll need:

3 large apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work great)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the crisp topping:

1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup melted butter

You’ll also need a baking dish and an oven preheated to 350°F (180°C). Once everything is ready, it’s time to get started on making your apple crisp.

Step-by-step process of making apple crisp, showing peeled and sliced apples, apples mixed with cinnamon and brown sugar, layered apple slices, and topped with a golden oat mixture, ready to bake.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Apples

The first step in making a delicious apple crisp is preparing your apples. Peel, core, and slice them into thin, even slices. The thinner the slices, the quicker they’ll bake and become soft and tender. Once sliced, transfer the apples into a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. This keeps the apples from browning and adds a hint of tang to balance the sweetness.

Next, sprinkle ¼ cup of packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon over the apples. The flour thickens the juices released by the apples during baking, creating a luscious filling. Mix everything well until the apple slices are evenly coated.

Once the apples are ready, pack them into your greased baking dish, spreading them evenly for uniform baking.

Make the Crisp Topping

Now for the crispy, buttery topping that makes apple crisp so irresistible. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of old-fashioned oats, ½ cup of packed brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir everything together until the ingredients are well distributed.

Melt ¼ cup of butter and pour it over the oat mixture. Toss the mixture until it forms a crumbly texture. You want the topping to have a breadcrumb-like consistency, which gives the apple crisp its signature crunchy texture.

Generously sprinkle the topping over the apple filling, making sure to cover the apples completely. Press down lightly so the topping sticks to the apples.

Bake Your Apple Crisp

Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven and bake at 350°F for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the apple filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.

Let it bake fully for the best results. The apples will become soft and tender, and the topping will turn into a sweet, crunchy layer that perfectly complements the juicy filling.

A serving of homemade apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, served on a white plate with the remaining crisp in the background.

Serve and Enjoy

Once your apple crisp is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the filling to set, making it easier to serve. Apple crisp is best enjoyed warm, and it’s even better when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. The combination of warm apples and cold ice cream is a perfect match!

If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire crisp in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.

A serving of warm apple crisp with a crunchy oat topping on a white plate, next to a baking dish filled with the remaining apple crisp, with autumn leaves as decoration.

Tips for Making the Best Apple Crisp

Choosing the Right Apples: Tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape well and provide a nice balance to the sweet topping. If you prefer a sweeter apple, Honeycrisp or Fuji are great options. For a mix of textures, consider using a combination of different apple varieties.
Make it Your Own: You can customize this recipe to your liking. Add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch. For more flavor, toss in some dried cranberries or raisins with the apple filling.
Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and use certified gluten-free oats.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

This apple crisp recipe is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t require any special skills or equipment—just basic ingredients and a desire for delicious homemade dessert. It’s a versatile recipe that works for any occasion, whether you’re making a comforting weeknight treat or need a quick dessert for a family gathering.

It’s the ideal dessert for fall, but really, you can enjoy it any time of the year. The combination of warm apples and a crisp, buttery topping is irresistible.

Love this recipe? Don’t forget to print it, pin it to your favorite dessert boards on Pinterest, and rate or review it below if you try it! We’d love to hear how it turned out for you and see your photos!

Yield: 6 Servings

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Looking for an easy apple crisp recipe? This simple, classic apple crisp with oats is the perfect dessert for fall. Made with juicy apples, warm cinnamon, and a buttery brown sugar topping, it’s a family favorite!

Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this homemade apple crisp is a quick and delicious treat that’s sure to please.

Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for the ultimate comfort dessert. Save this recipe and try it at your next family gathering or cozy night in!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

3 large apples
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Apple Crisp Topping

1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup melted butter

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Grease a baking dish with butter.
Peel, core and slice the apples and transfer into a bowl. Add the lemon juice, flour, cinnamon and sugar.Mix with your hands until the apple is evenly coated.
Pack into the prepared dish.
To make the topping. combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon ,salt and melted butter.
Toss until combined and you get a breadcrumb-like consistency.
Generously sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apple filling. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the apple filling is bubbly and the topping is golden and crisp.
Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce.

Notes

Use a mix of apple varieties, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, for a balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.

For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and use certified gluten-free oats.

Serve the apple crisp warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle of caramel sauce for the perfect finishing touch.

This apple crisp recipe serves 6 to 8 people, depending on the size of the apples and the portions served. Larger apples may yield more filling, allowing for smaller portions or additional servings.

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe for Beginners: The Perfect Comfort Dessert