Easy Apple Crisp

Published: Oct 8, 2020 · Modified: May 10, 2024 by Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links · 43 Comments

Quick and Easy Apple Crisp is bursting with sweet, juicy apples and a caramely, crunchy oat topping. This easy fruit crisp recipe is perfect served warm from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The quintessential fall dessert recipe!

Quick and Easy Apple Crisp is bursting with sweet, juicy apples and a crunchy oat topping. This easy fruit crisp recipe is perfect served warm from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The quintessential fall dessert recipe!

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The BEST Apple Crisp Recipe!

Fruit crisps are one of my all-time favorite desserts. Who can resist that bubbling, juicy, syrupy fruit topped with the MOST AMAZING crumble topping?

I’ve tried countless recipes and proportions to get the perfect crisp topping and THIS IS IT!

The perfect crisp topping should be crunchy and crispy. It should hold together in yummy chunky clusters and should never ever be powdery and dry.

The fruit should be lightly sweetened – just enough so that it isn’t sour, but still keeping a bright and tart flavor that perfectly complements the sweet crumble topping.

The fruit should be perfectly thickened. It should be a syrupy sauce that clings to the apples. Not so thin that it’s watery and not so thick that it gets gummy.

Apple Crisp vs Apple Crumble

Crisps and crumbles are both dishes of baked fruit with a streusel crumb topping. Traditionally, while a crumb topping would be made of butter, flour, and sugar, a crisp topping would also include oats and/or nuts. The oats will crisp up during baking, while crumble toppings stay more dense and cakey.

As time has gone by, the lines have blurred and the names crumble and crisp are now often used interchangeably.

What kind of apples to use

You can use any sturdy baking apple that will be tender but still keep its shape without turning to mush when baking.

I’ve used Honeycrisp here, although Granny Smith apples are also an excellent choice.

What kind of oats

I use old-fashioned rolled oats for the crumble topping. It makes a chunkier, chewier, crispier streusel topping.

Ingredients

Apples – I’ve used Honeycrisp here.
Brown sugar – to lightly sweeten and give a caramel flavor.
Cornstarch – to thicken the syrupy sauce slightly.
Cinnamon – just a touch for a cozy flavor while still letting the tart flavor of the apples shine through.
Lemon juice – adds a bright flavor and keeps the apples from browning.

For the crumble topping:

Brown sugar – for that sweet, caramely flavor
All-purpose flour – to form the crumbles
Old-fashioned rolled oats – for crunchy and chewy clusters
Softened butter – to hold it all together in crunchy chunks
Cinnamon
Salt

How to make Easy Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp is one of the easiest desserts to make!

Peel, core, and slice the apples into ⅛ inch slices
Toss the apple slices in cornstarch, cinnamon, and brown sugar
Mix the crumble topping and sprinkle on the apples
Bake

How to make – Step by step

Make the apple crisp topping

I get the best results by mixing the crumble topping by hand. Use softened but still cool butter. Combine all of the topping ingredients in a bowl and press the mixture together between your fingers until it is mixed and forming clusters. Refrigerate until needed.

Prepare the apples

Combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water in a large mixing bowl.

Peel, core, and slice the apples, tossing them in the lemon water as you add them to the mixing bowl.

Sprinkle the apple slices with the cornstarch, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss until evenly coated. Put in a baking dish.

Sprinkle the topping on top of the apples and bake

Remove the topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle the clusters over the apples and bake.

How long to cook

Bake Apple Crisp until the filling is bubbly, and the topping is golden brown, about 40-50 minutes. If the topping browns too quickly before the apples are done, cover with a piece of tented foil.

It’s done when the filling is hot, bubbly, and starting to thicken. (It will thicken further as it cools.)

What size baking dish

I used a 7 by 11-inch baking dish. You can also use:

8 by 8-inch pan
9 by 9-inch pan
8 by 12-inch oval baking dish
9 or 10-inch cast iron skillet
Pie dish
Any baking dish that holds about 2 quarts (8 cups)
6 ramekins (8oz each) for individual servings

It’s a good idea to put a baking sheet under your dish when baking to catch any drips, especially if your filling comes up to the top of the dish.

Apple Crisp for one

To make an apple crisp for one, mix up the topping and store it in the freezer. Anytime you want a warm, fresh from the oven apple crisp, slice up an apple or two and sprinkle it with a little cornstarch, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Put it into an oven safe bowl and bake until golden and bubbly.

How to freeze

An unbaked apple crisp can be covered and frozen for up to 1 month. Transfer to the refrigerator 1 day before baking.

A baked crisp can be cooled and then frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat in a 350 F oven until hot.

How to store Apple Crisp

Cool the crisp to room temperature then refrigerate for up to 3 days. Warm individual portions in the microwave.

Recipe

Apple Crisp

Kelly

Quick and Easy Apple Crisp is bursting with sweet, juicy apples and a crunchy oat topping. This easy fruit crisp recipe is perfect served warm from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The quintessential fall dessert recipe!

5 from 12 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 328 kcal

Ingredients

For the topping:

½ cup butter softened (4oz, 113g)
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar (5.25oz, 149g)
⅔ cup all-purpose flour (3.3oz, 94g)
¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (2.6oz, 74g)
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon

For the apple filling:

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
2 lbs apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into ⅛ inch slices (*see note) 900g
1 tablespoon cornstarch
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons brown sugar (1.3oz, 37g)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

For the topping:

Combine the butter, brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt and press with your fingers until thoroughly combined and clusters form. Refrigerate until needed.

For the apple filling:

Combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water in a large mixing bowl.
Peel, core, and slice the apples into ⅛ inch slices, tossing them in the lemon water as you add them to the mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the apple slices with the cornstarch, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss until evenly coated. Put in a baking dish.

To bake:

Remove the topping from the refrigerator, crumble into clusters, and sprinkle on top of apples.
Bake on the middle rack for 40-50 minutes or until the fruit is bubbly the top is golden brown. Cover top with a tent of foil if the topping browns too quickly.
It’s done when the filling is hot, bubbly, and starting to thicken. (It will thicken further as it cools.)
Cool for about 10 minutes then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

I've used Honeycrisp here. Granny Smith apples are also an excellent choice. Be sure to use a sturdy apple that retains it's shape while baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 173mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 4gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 416IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

Keyword apple crisp

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Enjoy, friends!

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