Apple Crisp

This apple crisp is a delicious baked fall dessert made with juicy, cinnamon-spiced Granny Smith apples and a sweet, crumbly oat topping. The chopped nuts add extra crunch, making this a family-favorite dessert to enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This apple crisp is my favorite dessert to make in the fall. I prefer it to apple pie because it’s easier to make and has a delicious crisp and crumbly topping.

I’ve been experimenting with crisp topping for years. I’ve tried using an equal mix of oat, flour, and sugar. I’ve tried using all brown sugar. I’ve added baking soda and baking powder to the topping. I’ve used cold butter, melted butter — you name it!

This recipe is my family’s absolute favorite! It has just the right amount of oats and a combination of both granulated and brown sugar to create that perfectly crispy texture. I also add a little chopped nuts, which provides a beautiful rich, nutty flavor.

I tend to overbake this crisp (about 5-10 minutes extra in the oven) to make the apples super soft and tender. But if you prefer the apples to maintain their shape and stay firm, bake it for 40-45 minutes instead.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp

Easy to make: This recipe uses simple pantry-friendly ingredients and comes together with minimal prep. It’s the perfect cozy dessert to make on weeknights or for last-minute dinner guests.

Perfect crisp topping: The topping is made with oats and finely chopped nuts, which bakes up golden and crunchy while the apples become soft and delicious underneath.

Make-ahead friendly: You can easily prep everything ahead of time, making this an easy dessert when you’re entertaining during the holidays.

Great for any occasion: This dessert is warm and comforting. You can serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a fall dinner party, or any family gathering.

What is apple crisp?

Apple crisp is a popular baked dessert in North America made with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a sweet, crispy crumble topping.

An apple crisp features a streusel topping that is usually made with a mixture of oats that get nice and crunchy.

Apple crisp, apple crumble, and apple cobbler are all baked fruit desserts, but differ in their toppings.

An apple crumble, which is popular in the U.K. is similar to apple crisp, but the streusel topping is made without oats. Instead, it’s made with just flour, sugar, and butter, which creates a softer, more crumbly topping.

An apple cobbler has a topping that is made with dropped dallops of sweet biscuit dough, scone dough, or cake batter.

Apple crisp ingredients

Apples: I like using Granny smith apples because they are naturally tart and firm, which balances the sweet crumble topping.

Sugar: For the filling, I like using brown sugar because the molasses creates a more complex flavor than granulated sugar.

For the topping, I like using a combination of both brown and granulated sugar. The granulated sugar helps the flour, oats, and butter bake into a crisp, crunchy topping. The brown sugar adds moisture and creates soft chewy pockets.

Cornstarch: I add cornstarch to the filling because it helps thicken the juices released by the apples as they bake.

Seasoning: I use cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, which add the perfect combination of warm and cozy. The ginger adds a slightly spicy and bright flavor to the apple crisp filling.

Vanilla extract: This enhances the natural sweetness of the warm apples.

Fresh lemon juice: This adds a bright flavor that balances the sweet apples and prevents them from turning brown.

Rolled oats: I use whole (old-fashioned) rolled oats because they hold their shape better than quick or instant oats.

You can substitute with quick oats but avoid using instant oats because they break down easily and can make the topping mushy instead of crunchy.

All-purpose flour: The flour absorbs the butter and provides its structural base so the topping bakes into crumbly, golden clumps.

Nuts: I like adding nuts to my apple crisp topping because they provide a rich, nutty flavor and extra crunch. I recommend using almonds, walnuts, or pecans.

Butter: I like using salted butter in the crisp topping because it creates a delicious sweet-and-salty balance.

I use room temperature butter that is slightly softened. This helps create larger, chewier clumps instead of a sandy crust.

If you prefer an extra-crispy texture, use cold butter.

If you prefer a sandy, more cookie-like topping, use melted butter.

How to make the best apple crisp

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9” x 9” deep baking dish with butter.

Make the filling. In a large bowl, add the chopped apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger (if using), ground nutmeg (if using), vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice. Toss to combine, then spread them evenly into the baking dish.

Make the topping. Whisk the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and chopped nuts in a medium bowl.

Add the butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the dry ingredients until it’s crumbly.

(Alternatively, you can combine all the topping ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly). Sprinkle the topping over the filling.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit juices from the apples are bubbling around the edges.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy as is, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of Greek yogurt, warm custard, whipped cream, or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

The best apples for apple crisp

The best apples for apple crisp are firm and hold their shape as they bake. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are the top choice for apple crisp.

Granny Smith apples are tart, which cuts through the sugar. Honeycrisp apples are sweet and juicy, which adds plenty of flavor.

Other apples you can use include Pinky Lady, Braeburn, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious.

Avoid using apples like McInstosh, Red Delicious, Gala, or Fuji, which can lose their texture when baking and become soggy.

Tips for making the best apple crisp

Use the right apples. Use firm, flavorful apples that hold their shape when baked. Granny Smith are a classic choice, along with Honeycrisp, Pinky Lady, Braeburn, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious.

Don’t be afraid to use a combination of apples. Combining sweet and tart apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp creates a delicious and balanced flavor.

Slice or chop the apples evenly. Whether you choose to slice or chop your apples into chunks, make sure all the pieces are similar in size, so they cook evenly.

Don’t pack down the topping. This keeps the topping light and crunchy instead of dense and soggy.

Bake until bubbling. The topping should be golden brown, and the fruit juices will bubble around the edges.

Serve it warm. While you can enjoy apple crisp cold or at room temperature, it tastes best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate cozy fall dessert.

Can you make apple crisp ahead of time?

Yes! Apple crisp is a great make-ahead dessert. For the best results, prepare the apple filling and crisp topping and keep them stored separately in the fridge.

Add the topping to the apples just before baking so it stays crisp and doesn’t become soggy.

You can also bake the apple crisp a few hours ahead of time and store it at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, warm it up in the oven until heated through.   

How to store leftover apple crisp

Allow the apple crisp to cool to room temperature, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to reheat apple crisp

The best way to reheat apple crisp is in the oven to keep the top crispy.

Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the apple crisp in a heat-safe baking dish. Cover it loosely with foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until warmed through.

If you want the topping to get extra crispy, remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking.

If you’re short on time, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. The topping will soften, but it’ll still taste delicious.

What to serve with apple crisp

You can enjoy apple crisp on its own, but it pairs well with a topping that is cool and creamy, like ice cream.

Popular options include a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, salted caramel sauce, Greek yogurt, whipped mascarpone, warm vanilla custard, chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts), or a drizzle of maple syrup.

More easy fall dessert recipes

• Brown butter pumpkin bread
• Healthy pumpkin bread
• Healthy pumpkin muffins

Please let me know how you like this apple crisp recipe in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love this apple crisp as much as I do.

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