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Easy No Fail Apple Crisp Recipe

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Let’s talk about one of my favorite desserts to make ever, Apple Crisp! A blend of Granny Smith and Gala Apples are covered in sugar and cinnamon. Then they are topped with a buttery brown sugar oat crumble. Finally, they are baked until bubbly and crisp. This apple crisp recipe is easy to make and feeds a crowd – it’s the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Serve with vanilla ice cream to make it even more indulgent!

One reader, Alyssa, commented: “Second time making this. First time turned out amazing my whole house loved it and request it again.”

Crumble apple dessert with ice cream in a white bowl.

If you’ve been following Stuck On Sweet for some time, you have to know by now how much I love making a good fruit crisp. Why do I make fruit crisps so often? Because they’re delicious and EASY. A few of my favorites are Blueberry Crisp, Peach Crisp, and Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. Apple Crisp seems to be a favorite, though. The combination of cinnamon, apples, oats and butter is undeniably good.

Why I love this recipe:

  • Tastes amazing – Just going to be honest. This recipe tastes amazing and is so satisfying and comforting. The tart apples with the cinnamon and sugar and crisp topping just works.
  • Super easy to make – There’s not a ton of “cooking” or “baking” involved. It’s truly just mixing ingredients, dumping them into a baking dish and then baking. 
  • It’s versatile – don’t like apples? Choose another fruit! Peaches, blueberries, and blackberries would also work very well!
  • Feeds a crowd – This is a wonderful dessert for Thanksgiving and Christmas as it can feed a crowd. The recipe can easily be double or tripled to your needs. 
  • It’s in expensive to make – the ingredients are pretty typical. I bet you have most of them in your pantry already!
  • It’s an old fashioned apples crisp recipe – when in doubt, go back to your roots! This recipe dates back years and years from my grandma to my mom and now me. I’ll never change it!

Apple Crisp Ingredients:

Again, simple ingredients and a simple process! You will have apple crisp baking in your oven in no time!

apple crisp ingredients in bowls on white background
  • Oats or oatmeal: You can use any oat you want for this recipe. Quick cooking oats, gluten free oats or old fashioned oats would work!
  • All purpose flour: Flour is mixed with the oats to create the crumb/oat topping. 
  • Sugar: Cane sugar is used to sweeten up the apples.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is used for the crisp topping, giving it a nice sweetness and caramel flavor. 
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and that classic fall flavor.
  • Nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a subtle spice to the apples. 
  • Salt: Salt helps enhance all the flavors while providing a salty edge. 
  • Butter: Butter is used in the crumb topping for flavor and it helps it crisp up!
  • Vanilla: A little vanilla extract adds flavor and warmth. I put vanilla in all my desserts. I suggest using a pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
  • Apples: I used a combination of Granny Smith and Gala Apples for sweetness and tartness. 

Instructions:

Let’s check out how to make this apple crisp recipe. The process is easy and full proof! Find the full recipe below with detailed instructions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen fruit?

Yes you can! Simply mix in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the fruit of choice. Because the fruit is frozen, it will release more liquid than fresh fruit when baked. The cornstarch will help thicken the excess liquid. 

Can you make this apple crisp recipe gluten free?

Yes! Simply use gluten free oats and gluten free flour.

Can you make it ahead of time?

Can I make it ahead of time? Yes! Simply cover and place in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. You can also bake, cool completely, then cover it and place in the refrigerator. Simply re-heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes at 350. 

Should you peel the apples for apple crisp?

Yes you do. The peel of the apples don’t break down as much during baking. I prefer unpeeled for the best texture.

How do you store apple crisp?

Simple! Bring to room temperature and cover tightly with a lid, aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place it in the fridge. It will last 3-5 days. It can be reheated in the oven or the microwave.

Can you add other fruits to this recipe?

Yes! Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and peaches would all be great additions.

Golden apple crisp topped with crumbly streusel served with vanilla ice cream on a rustic table, perfect for fall desserts and comfort food.

And there you have it! The Best Apple Crisp recipe out there! This recipe is full proof and so delicious, you will want to make all the time. It will become you new go-to dessert recipe year round! Enjoy!

Yield: 4-6

Apple Crisp

apple crisp in a bowl

This apple crisp recipe is so easy and delicious. Sliced apples are tossed with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla then topped with a buttery brown sugar crumb topping and baked until bubbly and crisp!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds medium Granny Smith and Gala Apples (about 5 or 6), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup uncooked rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for coating the dish

Instructions

    1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick baking spray.
    2. Combine the apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in the prepared baking dish and set aside.
    3. In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oats, flour and salt until evenly combined. With your fingertips, blend in the butter pieces until small clumps form and the butter is well incorporated, about 2 minutes.
    4. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples and bake until the streusel is crispy and the apples are tender, about 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool on a rack at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Recipe can be doubled - use a 9x13 baking dish. Recipe can be assembled and baked later - simply cover and place in refrigertoar until ready to bake You can also bake, let cool and re-heat at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until heated through. If using frozen fruit, mix in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the apples - this will help thicken the excess liquid from the frozen apples.

Did you make this recipe?

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41 Comments

  1. Second time making this. First time turned out amazing my whole house loved it and request it again.

  2. Loren Veratti says:

    I just made it!! It’s cooking in the oven now and it smells amazing!! I hope it comes out good and my Fiancé likes it 😁

  3. Love this recipe, so easure and turns out delicious every time!

    1. Jessica Erin says:

      Glad you like it!

    2. Just curious my first time trying this out do I put any liquids in this ?

  4. myblissfulmess says:

    Simple, and delicious! My two favorite things. Add Honey Crisp apples as a third favorite thing. LOL

  5. I adjust the brown sugar because I had dark brown sugar. I hope it comes out good *fingers crossed*

    1. Sorry about that Amy – I updated the recipe! Simply add it to the apples with the cinnamon. Enjoy!

  6. So good! This apple crisp recipe is a little less time consuming than the one I usually follow, so I decided to give it a go…and I’m glad I did! I used instant oats since that’s all I had and it turned out fabulous. My husband and I ate half the pan in one sitting! Thanks for sharing this one with us!

  7. what size dish did you use?

    1. omg never mind I just reread it for the 3 time and now see it

  8. Can apple crisp be froze ?

    1. Hi Alyssa – I’ve never tried it but I am assuming so. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap. I don’t think it would last more than 2 weeks or so in the freezer though.

    2. You definitely can freeze them! I make a bunch of crisps every fall and freeze most of them. Freeze them raw and completely assembled, I like to use the 8×8 disposible aluminium pans, wrapped in plastic wrap and then tinfoil. They can be kept in the freezer for several months as long as theyre sealed well and you can thaw or cook from frozen – just increase the cooking time by about 15 minutes.

  9. What a wonderful recipe! I made it for my husband last night and we both really enjoyed it. I hope to make some more of your recipes soon. The red velvet cupcakes sound great!

    Have a great day!

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