This easy apple crisp is made the old fashioned way like Grandma used to make, and is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce!
A true classic Fall dessert, this easy apple crisp recipe is reminiscent of generations past. Pop this apple crisp in the oven and wait for the delicious smell to waft through your house!
Do you have a classic Fall dessert that you just LOVE? I have several, but one of them is definitely this apple crisp recipe! Growing up, my Mom had two classic desserts that she made… one was her famous Carrot Cake, and the other was a mouthwatering apple crisp.
This isn’t her exact recipe, but it’s one that I’ve tweaked and been working on for a while, and I’ve finally gotten it just right! While I do love pumpkin, apple is actually my favorite Fall flavor. Mostly because of this crisp lol.
Some apple crisp recipes don’t use oats, which is totally fine if that’s your thing, but I LOVE the crispy oat topping, so I made sure to add a good amount of it.
What apples do I use for this easy apple crisp
Simply put, you can use any apples that you like! My personal favorite for this recipe is the golden delicious variety, but Granny Smith or Fuji are some other great varieties.
To peel, or not to peel
It’s 100% up to you! I’ve made this recipe both ways, and I like them both equally. Generally, when I make this easy apple crisp, I’m making it for my family, and my kids wouldn’t eat it with the skins on, so I peel them more often than not. I’m sure this goes without saying, but if you choose to leave the skins on, be sure to wash the apples thoroughly 🙂
That right there is my FAVORITE way to enjoy hot apple crisp… with a cold scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, and drizzled with my luscious browned butter salted caramel sauce! If you’ve never tried it that way… you totally need to!
Looking for other recipes that use that caramel sauce?
- Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream
- Vanilla Chai Cheesecake Bars
- Butterfinger Toffee Cookies
I invite you all to join me in making my favorite Fall dessert… this easy apple crisp. Once you have it in the oven, you’ll LOVE the smell that fills your house!
Shop the recipe
- 8″ baking dish – I love the clean white look, plus it bakes beautifully!
- Vegetable peeler – You probably already have one, but in case you don’t, this one is my personal favorite!
- Pastry Cutter – I love that this is sturdy and the blades don’t bend nearly as easily as some other brands!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
Spiced apples
- 6 golden delicious apples peeled and chopped (other varieties can be used, can also be sliced)
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
Crisp topping
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats quick oats can be used, but it may have a slightly different texture
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of kosher salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes
Instructions
Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Butter an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Make spiced apples
- In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp of the cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
Make topping
- In a separate mixing bowl, add topping ingredients (brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter).
- Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture, using a slight downward twisting motion, until mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs. Alternatively, you can use two forks or even your hands to cut butter into the mixture.
Bake
- Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out. Bake 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
Serve
- Serve warm and enjoy! We love to top ours with some vanilla bean ice cream, or whipped cream.
Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!
Chef Tips
- The amount of chopped apples would be about 6-7 cups.
- Note that all ovens bake differently, so yours may take a little less or a little more time to bake.
- I don’t have an issue with my crisp being watery (due to the water content in the apples), but if a little juice at the bottom is something you want to avoid, you can try adding a little all purpose flour to the apple mixture.
Make-Ahead Directions:
- Bake as directed. After the crisp cools, cover and refrigerate until the next day. When you’re ready to reheat, set it out at room temp for 20 minutes or so, then bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, or until hot throughout.
- I haven’t tested assembling this ahead of time (although I’m pretty sure other readers have done this successfully – you’d have to check the other comments).
- I haven’t tested freezing this recipe, although many other readers have frozen it successfully.
Video
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Erin wichman says
Hi there. Can I freeze after I bake the apple crisp?
The Chunky Chef says
I haven’t tested freezing this recipe, although many other readers have successfully frozen it.
Karen says
Absolutely love this recipe. I use gluten free plain flour and it’s a hit with all the family.
Judith Levinson says
Easy to make and everyone liked it. I didn’t have any cinnamon so I used butterscotch chips instead and it was fine
Cathy says
The best apple crisp recipe!
Sharon says
This was very simple and turned out great! II forgot the pinch of salt but still tasted great, I will definitely make this again!
Mary says
I have made apple crisp for many years and this is a good recipe. I like to add nutmeg, but that’s my preference. The spicier the better for me!
Marg says
Great recipe! I cooked mine in the microwave. 10min on high!
Lisa Jenkins says
Thank you for this very easy and delicious
recipe!
Marleigh says
The best crisp recipe ever! I have tried a lot and this one takes the cake!! The apple is great and I have also used blueberries instead and it’s even better!! Love this recipe!!!
Megan says
Any interesting recipes for potatoes?
The Chunky Chef says
I have plenty of potato recipes https://www.thechunkychef.com/#search/q=potaotes
Julie Goodrich says
Thank you for the Apple crisp recipe I’m running so far behind this Christmas Eve and I needed a quick recipe for dessert I really really appreciate this quick little recipe that I know will be perfect
Merry Christmas
Cynthia Miller says
This is by far my favorite apple crisp recipe. Best tasting!
Jocelan says
I made mine the night before and tossed in the oven. Planning the same tonight. A definite hit
Jocelan says
Made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. I’m doubling for tomorrow. THANK YOU!! Tastes just like grandma used to make
Lyndsey says
This is my new go to for dessert when heading to a family gathering! I like honey crisp apples (just preference). You gotta top it with vanilla bean ice cream while still hot. It really pulls it together! I stick to the recipe as-is and always have amazing results!
Carrie Hutson says
This was so much like I ate as a child. I will be making it again.
Sophia Aivaliotis says
Made this recipe and loved it. Wanting to make it for a family get together. Will it still taste the same is I prepare the day before and cook the following day?
The Chunky Chef says
I haven’t tested assembling this ahead of time (although I’m pretty sure other readers have done this successfully – you’d have to check the other comments), but I’ve baked it ahead of time. After it cools, cover and refrigerate until the next day. When you’re ready to reheat, set it out at room temp for 20 minutes or so, then bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, or until hot throughout.
Bill says
Perfect Recipe! At first, I didnt think the apples would be seasoned enough but with the crumble on top with the brown sugar and butter it came out of the over perfectly! The crumble was perfectly carmelized and golden brown. And the apples and topping together were just perfect. Great Recipe!
Nichole says
I have made this twice now, and loved it both times. Delicious!! I used winesap apples because that is what I had on hand locally, and the 2nd time I added chopped pecans to the crumble topping..wonderful. Thank you for the tasty recipe, it’s a keeper for me!
Andi says
Delicious..
Kathryn says
HI Amanda, make this recipe today and not sure how long it will last-ha! Thanks for a delicious and easy recipe!