There's really nothing more exciting than knowing that Christmas is around the corner and I have an excuse to eat Apple Crisp and Mix for breakfast and dessert every day of the week!
Apple Crisp at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: ~1 hour
- 👪 Servings: 6–8
- 🍝 Cuisine Type: American / Dessert
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Warm, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery, crisp oat crumble — sweet, cozy, and comforting
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian; contains dairy and gluten (can be adapted gluten-free with swaps)
- 📦 Storage Notes: Store covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate up to 4 days; reheat gently in the oven; freezes well when tightly wrapped
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: An effortless, classic dessert that lets the apples shine. Perfect for fall baking, holidays, or serving warm with vanilla ice cream.
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Why I Love This Recipe
This classic apple crisp has been in the family for years. There are some recipes my mom would make starting at Thanksgiving and ending sometime in the new year, and this apple crisp and corn soufflé are definitely two of them. This is easily my favorite holiday dessert, especially served with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The streusel topping is out of this world and it's hard to control myself - because given the opportunity, I'd eat nothing but the streusel bits with ice cream.
If you are looking for a fall cake, my cinnamon apple cake captures this recipe's essence in cake form. But, it will come as no surprise to those of you who frequent my website, that I consider THIS to be a game changing recipe! It's the apple crisp to end all apple crisps! You'll absolutely love it!
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Ingredients
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below
Substitutions
🍎 Fruit Swaps
- Granny Smith apples for tart balance and structure
- Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for sweet, juicy bites
- Mix apple varieties for deeper flavor and texture
- Pears for a softer, more delicate crisp
- Stone fruit like peaches or plums for a summer spin
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) mixed with apples work beautifully
🌾 Topping Variations
- Old-fashioned oats for that classic crisp texture
- Quick oats in a pinch, just expect a softer topping
- Flour + oats combo for a sturdier crumble
- Almond flour for a nutty, gluten-free option
- Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch
🍬 Sweetener Swaps
- Brown sugar for caramel depth
- Coconut sugar for a toasty, less-refined sweetness
- Maple syrup or honey to replace part of the sugar
- Reduce sugar slightly if your apples are extra sweet
🧈 Fat Options
- Butter for classic richness
- Brown butter for nutty, bakery-style flavor
- Coconut oil for a dairy-free swap
- Olive oil for a subtle, surprisingly delicious twist
🌿 Spice Adjustments
- Cinnamon is the classic go-to
- Nutmeg or allspice adds warmth
- Cardamom or ginger for a cozy, elevated note
- Apple pie spice for an easy all-in-one blend
🍦 Serving Swaps
- Vanilla ice cream is non-negotiable
- Whipped cream or crème fraîche for tangy contrast
- Greek yogurt if you’re serving it for breakfast (no judgment)
- Caramel sauce drizzle for extra indulgence
How to Make Apple Crisp
Step 1: Peel, core, quarter and slice the apples into ⅓ inch pieces. Pile the apple slices into decorative baking dish (about 10 inches in diameter) and sprinkle with the cinnamon, making sure to evenly layer the top of the apples.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, add the flour, oats, brown sugar, and diced butter.
Step 3: Use a pastry cutter or fork to combine the butter, brown sugar, oats and flour until it's crumbly.
Step 4: Evenly pile the topping over the apples. It's ready to bake!
How to Store Apple Crisp
If this apple crisp isn't demolished in one sitting, you can cover with tin foil and store in the refrigerator.
🍎🥧✨ 10 Tips + Tricks for the Best Apple Crisp
- Use a mix of apples. Combining sweet and tart apples gives you the best flavor and texture. Honeycrisp for sweetness, Granny Smith for structure. It’s the dream team.
- Slice the apples evenly. Uniform slices cook at the same rate so you don’t end up with mushy spots and crunchy ones in the same bite.
- Season the filling generously. Apples love cinnamon, but a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom takes things from classic to extra special.
- Go chunky with the topping. Use your hands to clump the crumble together so you get those irresistible crisp clusters on top.
- Cold butter is key. Cold butter creates a crumbly, crunchy topping instead of something greasy or sandy. If the butter gets warm, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Don’t pack the topping down. Sprinkle it loosely over the apples so it stays crisp and golden instead of dense.
- Bake until bubbly. You want to see the juices bubbling up around the edges. That’s how you know the apples are fully cooked and the filling has thickened.
- Let it rest before serving. Give the crisp 10–15 minutes to set so the juices thicken slightly and the topping stays crisp.
- Serve it warm with ice cream. Vanilla ice cream melting into warm apple crisp is non-negotiable. Whipped cream works too, but ice cream is the move.
FAQs
How long is apple crisp good for?
This recipe will be good for 2-4 days kept in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze cooked apple crisp?
Yes! Cover with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, let thaw completely overnight and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
More Apple Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 5-6 Granny Smith Apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2-3 Fuji Apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- Vanilla ice cream to serve
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Peel, core, quarter and slice the apples into ⅓ inch pieces. Pile the apple slices into decorative baking dish (about 10 inches in diameter) and sprinkle with the cinnamon, making sure to evenly layer the top of the apples.
- In a medium bowl, add the flour, oats, brown sugar, and diced butter.
- Use a pastry cutter or fork to combine the butter, brown sugar, oats and flour until it's crumbly. Evenly pile the topping over the apples.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes until the top is golden brown and the apples are soft.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes. Serve with ice cream
Notes
- Use a mix of apples. Combining sweet and tart apples gives you the best flavor and texture. Honeycrisp for sweetness, Granny Smith for structure. It’s the dream team.
- Slice the apples evenly. Uniform slices cook at the same rate so you don’t end up with mushy spots and crunchy ones in the same bite.
- Season the filling generously. Apples love cinnamon, but a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom takes things from classic to extra special.
- Go chunky with the topping. Use your hands to clump the crumble together so you get those irresistible crisp clusters on top.
- Cold butter is key. Cold butter creates a crumbly, crunchy topping instead of something greasy or sandy. If the butter gets warm, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Don’t pack the topping down. Sprinkle it loosely over the apples so it stays crisp and golden instead of dense.
- Bake until bubbly. You want to see the juices bubbling up around the edges. That’s how you know the apples are fully cooked and the filling has thickened.
- Let it rest before serving. Give the crisp 10–15 minutes to set so the juices thicken slightly and the topping stays crisp.
- Serve it warm with ice cream. Vanilla ice cream melting into warm apple crisp is non-negotiable. Whipped cream works too, but ice cream is the move.
Why don't you show the amount of what ingredients? If I have to guess then I would not need your recipe
if you scroll to the recipe box, it's all there
It’s all there. Scroll down to the recipe
Could I make this with applesauce instead of butter?
I haven't tested it with applesauce so I can't say with any certainty how it would compare!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this- it’s a little bit of a party trick I pull when friends come over. Just make sure to have vanilla bean ice cream on hand and you’ll definitely impress any visitors!! Often times I’ll make a 1/2 recipe for me and my boyfriend to enjoy over a few days 🙂
What kind of dish and time do you use to make this half recipe?
This apple crisp is very easy to make and it’s delicious!!
Is it worth an extra trip to the store for dark brown sugar if I only have light brown (want it to taste as good)? Thanks.
will be equally as delish - no need to go back to store
Amazing! I will make this again asap! Would I double this for a 9 X 13?
Can this be made with just fuji apples?
sure can
Made this a week ago and WOW WOW WOW. Crowd pleaser!
Already making it again this weekend for another dinner crowd. Everyone gushed. Also, couldn't be EASIER!
This will be *the* crisp recipe in this house, for eternity!
I keep going back to this recipe.
Soft apples, not too much sugar, crispy topping. Family favourite.
Out of this WORLD! There are no other apple crisp recipes worth bothering with.
Made this last weekend and the whole family went nuts! Making it again this weekend for another dinner party.
It’s SO easy. Simple ingredients. And just WOWWWW so so delicious. Go Apple picking and make this asap!
Can I use dairy free butter and get the same deliciousness?
yes - we've done it before for DF guests and it's still delish!
Delicious dessert, great recipe. I followed it as written and baked for a full hour in a Le Crueset 10” skillet — will make again. Literal perfection!
Delicious dessert, great recipe. I followed it as written and baked for a full hour in a Le Crueset 10” skillet — will make again. Literal perfection!
This apple crisp was the perfect ending to our thanksgiving meal today! Super easy, prepped in the morning and then baked while we ate dinner. Everyone went back for seconds. Delish!
Can the crisp be made/baked a day ahead and left on the counter?
OMG this is a great and easy dessert. It is great for breakfast or brunch too...
So delish.