Buttery Oat Apple Crisp

The Apple Crisp Recipe is a quintessential fall dessert that promises to fill your home with an irresistibly warm and inviting aroma. This beloved classic features a sweet, tender apple filling, perfectly spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar, crowned with a buttery, crispy oat topping. It’s a delightful treat that captures the essence of autumn in every spoonful, offering comfort and flavor in equal measure.

There’s nothing quite like the blend of juicy, baked apples simmering with warm spices and the rich sweetness of brown sugar. Apple crisp stands out as one of the best ways to enjoy the abundance of fresh apples during the fall harvest. Beyond this incredible crisp, I also enjoy making Deep Fried Apples and Easy Fried Apple Pies for a variety of Thanksgiving Apple Desserts that everyone loves. This easy oven-baked dessert is packed with flavor and is sure to become a family favorite. Be sure to also try our popular Pumpkin Crisp for another seasonal delight.

Why You’ll Adore This Easy Apple Crisp

What makes this apple crisp truly special? It’s the harmonious balance between the tender, spiced apple filling and the crunchy, sweet oat topping. While the succulent apple base is undeniably a highlight, the irresistible topping truly elevates this dessert, making it more than the sum of its parts.

The crispy, golden-brown oat topping provides a delightful contrast to the soft apples beneath. Each bite delivers a perfect medley of textures and flavors – the comforting warmth of cinnamon-kissed apples meeting the satisfying crunch of butter-infused oats. This combination makes it one of the most cherished easy apple desserts, guaranteed to bring smiles all around.

Essential Ingredients for Apple Crisp

Creating this delightful apple crisp requires simple, wholesome ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Golden Delicious Apples: Peeled, cored, and chopped. These apples offer a sweet and mildly tart flavor with a texture that softens beautifully when baked, without becoming mushy.
• Granulated Sugar: A touch of white sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the apples.
• Ground Cinnamon: This warm spice is essential for that classic apple pie flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount to your personal taste – some prefer a bolder cinnamon presence.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice not only brightens the apple flavor but also prevents the apples from browning and helps balance the sweetness. Always opt for fresh lemon juice for the best results.
• Brown Sugar: This provides a deeper, caramel-like sweetness to both the filling and the topping, contributing to that rich, comforting flavor profile. If you’re feeling ambitious, try our Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe.
• Old Fashioned Oats: These are crucial for the crisp’s signature texture. Make sure to use old-fashioned (rolled) oats, not quick-cooking or instant oats, as they will turn mushy.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used in the topping to help bind the ingredients and create that perfect crumbly texture. When measuring, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the bag to ensure an accurate measurement.
• Salt: A pinch of salt in the topping balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: Diced into small pieces. Using cold butter is key to achieving a perfectly crumbly, rather than cakey, topping. Unsalted butter is preferred for baking so you can control the salt content.

You can find the precise measurements for all ingredients in the comprehensive recipe card towards the bottom of the page.

Delicious Additions and Variations

While the classic apple crisp is perfect as is, you can easily customize it with a few simple additions:

• Nuts: Enhance the crunch and flavor of your crisp by adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the oat topping. They toast beautifully in the oven, adding another layer of texture and nutty goodness.
• Other Spices: A pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or a touch of ground ginger can complement the cinnamon and add more depth to the apple filling.
• Dried Fruits: For an extra layer of sweetness and chewiness, consider adding a handful of raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots to the apple mixture.

Simple Steps to Make the Best Apple Crisp

This recipe is incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these easy steps to create your perfect apple crisp:

Step 1: Prepare the Apples. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Lightly spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring the entire surface is coated to prevent sticking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the peeled, chopped apples with the granulated sugar, a portion of the ground cinnamon (about ½ tsp), and the fresh lemon juice. Toss everything thoroughly until all the apple slices are evenly coated. This ensures every bite of the filling is flavorful.

Step 2: Transfer to Baking Pan. Once the apples are perfectly coated, pour the mixture into your prepared 8×8-inch baking pan. Spread the apples evenly across the bottom of the pan to ensure uniform baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Topping Dry Ingredients. In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, salt, and the remaining ground cinnamon (about 1 tsp). Stir these dry ingredients together until they are well combined, ensuring all the spices are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Incorporate the Butter. Add the diced cold butter to the dry topping mixture. The colder the butter, the flakier and crispier your topping will be.

Step 5: Create the Crumbly Topping. Use a pastry cutter to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you don’t have a pastry cutter, two forks or even your fingertips can be used, but avoid overworking the dough, as this can make the topping less tender.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake. Evenly sprinkle the crumbly oat topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.

Step 7: Check for Doneness. Your apple crisp is ready when the apple filling is bubbly around the edges and the oat topping has turned a beautiful golden brown and is wonderfully crisp. The aroma filling your kitchen will be another sure sign!

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy! Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving warm. A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the warm crisp is simply heavenly.

Pro Tips for Apple Crisp Perfection

Follow these expert tips to ensure your apple crisp turns out perfectly every time:

• Use Real Butter: For the richest flavor and best texture in your topping, always use real butter. Avoid margarine or butter substitutes. The butter is crucial for the crisp’s delicious crumb.
• Resist Excess Butter: While butter is important, don’t be tempted to add more than the recipe calls for. Too much butter in the topping can make it greasy and heavy, rather than light and crumbly.
• Cold Butter is Key: It’s essential to use cold butter when making the topping. Cold butter creates pockets of steam as it bakes, resulting in a light and crispy crumble. Melted butter will yield a denser, more cake-like topping.
• Unsalted Butter for Baking: In most baking recipes, including this apple crisp, unsalted butter is recommended. This allows you to control the total amount of salt in the dish. Keep a stick or two of unsalted butter in your fridge specifically for baking needs.
• Experiment with Apple Varieties: We love Golden Delicious for its balanced sweetness and tender texture. However, if you prefer a more tart flavor profile, consider using Granny Smith apples. For a mix of flavors and textures, you can combine sweet apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji with tart ones like Braeburn or Pink Lady.
• To Peel or Not to Peel: While I typically peel apples for most of my apple dessert recipes, it’s not strictly necessary for apple crisp. The apple peels soften significantly during baking and add a touch of color and extra fiber. It’s a matter of personal preference; the crisp will still be delicious either way.
• Don’t Overmix the Topping: When cutting in the butter, mix just until coarse crumbs form. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough topping.
• Baking Dish Size Matters: Using the recommended 8×8-inch baking pan ensures the apples cook evenly and the topping gets perfectly crisp. A larger pan might result in a drier crisp, while a smaller one could lead to an overly thick filling that takes longer to bake.

Irresistible Topping Ideas

While delicious on its own, apple crisp truly shines when paired with a complementary topping. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:

• Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic for a reason! A scoop of cold No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream slowly melting into the warm apple crisp creates a delightful hot-and-cold sensation that is simply divine.
• Homemade Whipped Cream: Light, airy, and delicately sweet, a dollop of homemade whipped cream adds a touch of elegance and creaminess that perfectly complements the fruit and oats.
• Caramel Sauce: For an extra layer of decadence, drizzle a generous amount of homemade caramel sauce over your crisp. The rich, buttery notes of caramel pair wonderfully with the spiced apples.
• Salted Caramel: Take the caramel up a notch by using salted caramel sauce for a sophisticated sweet and salty contrast.
• Toasted Nuts: Sprinkle a few extra toasted walnuts or pecans on top just before serving for added crunch and nutty flavor.
• A Dusting of Powdered Sugar: For a simple yet elegant finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar can enhance the visual appeal and add a hint of extra sweetness.

Storing Your Apple Crisp

Enjoying leftover apple crisp is almost as good as the fresh-baked version! Proper storage will keep your dessert fresh and delicious for future enjoyment.

Once the apple crisp has cooled completely to room temperature, you can store it in an airtight container. Alternatively, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. When stored in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can warm individual servings in the microwave or place the entire dish in a preheated oven until warmed through and the topping crisps up again.

Can You Freeze This Recipe?

Yes, apple crisp freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prep or preparing ahead for parties and holidays!

To freeze a baked apple crisp, first ensure it has cooled completely to room temperature. Then, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double layer protects against freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the frozen crisp in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, bake it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until it is completely warmed through and the topping has re-crisped, usually about 20-30 minutes. This advanced preparation is perfect for busy holiday seasons or when you need a quick dessert for unexpected guests.

Imagine the convenience of having a homemade apple crisp ready to pop into the oven on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, allowing you to focus on other festivities!

More Easy Apple Desserts to Try

If you love this apple crisp, you’ll surely enjoy exploring more of our delicious and simple apple dessert recipes:

• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars: A delightful combination of creamy cheesecake, sweet apples, and rich caramel, all in a convenient bar form.
• Fried Apple Pies: Crispy on the outside, with a warm, spiced apple filling on the inside – a true Southern comfort food.
• Mini Apple Pie Bites Recipe: Perfect bite-sized treats that offer all the flavor of apple pie without the fuss, ideal for parties or a small indulgence.
• Southern Fried Apples Recipe: A simple, rustic dish that highlights the natural sweetness of apples, cooked until tender and caramelized.
• Apple Crostata Recipe: An elegant yet easy-to-make free-form tart, showcasing beautiful slices of apple on a flaky crust.
• Crock Pot Apple Pie Dump Cake: A ridiculously easy dessert that combines apple pie filling with a cake mix, all cooked effortlessly in your slow cooker.

This delicious and easy apple crisp recipe is truly the perfect fall dessert. With its sweet apple filling and crunchy oat topping, it’s sure to become a beloved tradition in your home. Don’t forget to come back and leave a comment and a star rating once you’ve tried it!