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Warm apples, a buttery crumble, and a hint of cinnamon — that’s how comfort smells when it’s baking in the oven. This apple crisp recipe is the kind of dessert that turns an ordinary evening into something memorable. It’s rustic, easy, and wonderfully old-fashioned — just the way I like it.
The apples soften into sweet perfection, the topping crisps to golden bliss, and suddenly you’re wondering why anyone ever bothered with pie crusts. Trust me, once you make this version, you’ll find yourself looking for excuses to bake it again (and again). Keep reading — I’ll show you exactly how to make it come out perfect every single time.
The Story Behind the Dish
Apple Crisp has been stealing hearts since the 1920s, when home bakers found clever ways to simplify traditional pies. With ingredients that were humble and easy to find, it became the dessert of choice for families wanting a sweet ending without all the fuss of rolling dough.
During World War II, when staples like butter and sugar were rationed, apple crisps became even more beloved — simple, adaptable, and deliciously comforting. Every household had its own version, and through the years, it evolved into a fall classic baked in kitchens around the world. The beauty of it? You can still make it just as they did then — with love, apples, and a golden crumble on top.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Yield: 6 servings
Oven Temperature: 375°F / 190°C
What You’ll Need for this Apple Crisp Recipe
For the Topping
- ½ cup (70 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50 g) old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup (110 g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup (76 g) unsalted butter, cold.
For the Apple Filling
- 2 pounds (900 g) apples (about 6 medium), peeled, cored, and sliced thin (about ⅛ inch)
- Juice of ½ fresh lemon (to drizzle apples)
- 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) water
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (55 g) light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Prep & Cook
Don’t let the steps scare you — I just broke it down so it feels like I’m right there with you in the kitchen. It’s faster (and tastier!) than it looks.
Step 01
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack one level below the center. Butter an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish or a similar small casserole dish; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt for about 30 seconds. Add diced butter and, using your fingertips, rub it into the dry mixture until small crumbles form. Chill the mixture while preparing the filling.
Step 02
In a separate small bowl, whisk melted butter and flour until smooth, then stir in water, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt; mix well.
Step 03
Slice the apples thinly and drizzle them with the juice of ½ a fresh lemon to prevent browning. You can keep them in the fridge while preparing the filling — they’ll stay bright and crisp.
Then, pour the butter mixture over and toss gently to coat.
Step 04
Spread the apples evenly into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the chilled topping evenly over.
Step 05
Bake for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a toothpick.
Step 06
Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Secrets from Our Kitchen to Yours
- For this Apple Crisp Recipe, slice the apples thinly — about ⅛ inch — so they bake evenly and turn perfectly tender.
- I like to mix tart and sweet apples — it keeps the flavor balanced and lively.
- If the topping browns too quickly, just cover it loosely with foil for the last few minutes.
- And yes, we actually did almost burn one batch because we were, as usual, chatting and laughing instead of setting a timer! Thankfully, we caught it just in time — between giggles.
Serving Suggestions
This apple crisp recipe makes the perfect dessert for some of our favorite dishes. Try it after a cozy dinner of Parmesan Risotto, Pork Tenderloin, or Chicken Cordon Bleu — the warm apples and buttery topping complement savory meals beautifully.
You can also serve it on its own with:
- Vanilla Ice Cream — always a timeless match.
- Homemade Whipped Cream — light, airy, and softly sweet.
- Salted Caramel Sauce — for that irresistible golden drizzle.
For serving, I use a Ice Cream Scoop — it makes the perfect scoop for topping each bowl of apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.
Put Your Spin on It
Make it your own:
- Add chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) to the topping for extra crunch.
- Sprinkle a little nutmeg or allspice for deeper fall flavor.
- Swap half of the apples for pears or peaches to create your own twist.
From Our Kitchen
This version stays true to the classic, with all the cozy flavors we adore. It’s become one of our go-to fall desserts, baked exactly as we love it — simple and comforting. There’s something joyful about pulling it from the oven, the house filled with the scent of cinnamon and toasted oats, while we laugh about how we nearly forgot the timer again. It’s perfectly imperfect — and that’s just how we like it.
Tasty Thoughts
This dessert is a love letter to simplicity — proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something special. Every spoonful brings that cozy warmth we all crave, especially on cool evenings when the oven feels like a hug.
So go ahead, bake it tonight. Let your kitchen smell like apples and cinnamon, and serve up a little nostalgia with every golden crumble.
Common Questions
What are the best apples for this apple crisp recipe?
Granny Smiths are tart and hold their shape well, but mixing them with sweeter varieties like Fuji or Gala gives you the best flavor balance.
Can I make this apple crisp recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble it, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve — just add 5 extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I freeze apple crisp?
Absolutely. Bake it, let it cool completely, then wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven until warm and crisp again.
Nutrition Notes
Curious about calories or carbs for this Apple Crisp Recipe? You’ll find a rough nutrition estimate in the recipe card below. Just keep in mind, it’s a ballpark figure based on common ingredients — not a medical guide. For anything more specific, it’s always best to check with a registered nutritionist.
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Best Apple Crisp Recipe – Easy, Old-Fashioned, and Delicious
- Total Time: 1 h and 5 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This cozy apple crisp recipe is filled with tender baked apples and a buttery oat crumble that turns golden and crisp in the oven. With just the right amount of cinnamon and brown sugar, it’s an old-fashioned dessert that feels like a warm hug from the kitchen. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream — or two.
Ingredients
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup (70 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (50 g) old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup (110 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup (76 g) unsalted butter, cold and diced
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 pounds (900 g) apples (about 6 medium), peeled, cored, and sliced thin (about 1/8 inch)
- Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon (to drizzle apples)
- 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) water
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (55 g) light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add diced butter and rub with fingertips until crumbly. Chill while preparing the filling.
- In a small bowl, whisk melted butter and flour until smooth. Add water, lemon juice, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
- Slice apples thinly, drizzle with juice from ½ lemon, and keep chilled to prevent browning. Pour the butter mixture over and toss gently to coat.
- Spread apples evenly into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the chilled topping evenly over them.
- Bake for 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and apples are tender.
- Let cool for 15 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
For this Apple Crisp Recipe, slice the apples thinly — about ⅛ inch — so they bake evenly and turn perfectly tender.
I like to mix tart and sweet apples — it keeps the flavor balanced and lively.
If the topping browns too quickly, just cover it loosely with foil for the last few minutes.
And yes, we actually did almost burn one batch because we were, as usual, chatting and laughing instead of setting a timer! Thankfully, we caught it just in time — between giggles.
These nutrition values are rough estimates based on common ingredients. For medical or dietary advice, it’s always best to consult a registered nutritionist or healthcare provider.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (~300g)
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keep Cooking with Us
If you loved this apple crisp recipe, you’ll enjoy these other cozy favorites from our kitchen:
- Green Pea Soup – creamy, comforting, and the perfect main before dessert.
- Easy Roasted Chicken Thighs and Potatoes – a simple, flavorful dinner classic.
- Passion Fruit Mousse – a light, tropical finish to brighten any meal.
Happy Cooking!
🧡Mary and Fabi
