This simple recipe for Apple Crisp Recipe With Quick Oats is one of my all time favorites and I’m so excited to share it with you! It’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, and desserts, but can also be enjoyed anytime of the day. Apple crisp is a delicious fall dessert that can be made with fresh or frozen apples; with or without nuts and with many varieties of fruit. The recipe presented here, however, substitutes Quick Oats for flour and is gluten-free.
Easy Apple Crisp
A traditional dessert from the past like this Easy Apple Crisp will make you feel warm and cozy. The only thing missing from this crowd-pleasing dessert, made with fresh cinnamon apples and a crispy oat topping, is a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
Even though freshly cut apples sautéed in cinnamon and brown sugar are mouthwatering, this apple crisp is out of this world amazing! It has a crispy buttery oat topping that matches the softness of the apples. What a delicious combo that is!
The crisp is spiced with nutmeg in addition to the cinnamon and brown sugar to add even more fall-spirited goodness, and the filling uses lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning. So you can bet that this dessert looks as good as it tastes. With a baking dish full of this apple crisp in the mix, you’ll see a stampede to the holiday dessert table like never before.
What is the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble?
Apple crisp and apple crumble are quite similar, but there are a couple of key differences that set them apart. An apple crumble has a streusel crumb topping, while the topping of an apple crisp usually includes oats or nuts.
While apple crisp toppings bake up beautiful and crunchy, apple crumble toppings are typically thicker and cakier. Although both desserts are delectable, I personally prefer the soft and crunchy contrast that an apple crisp offers. Every single time, it delivers the goods!

Ingredients You’ll Need
Each item that goes into this crisp has its own specific purpose. Let’s go over them one at a time.
For the Cinnamon Oat Topping
- All-Purpose Flour: This thickener is key for any oat topping.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: For that amazing crispiness that gives this dessert its name.
- Brown Sugar: Be sure to pack it into the measuring cup.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These classic spices create that warm and cozy fall flavor.
- Salt: To balance out the sweetness of the sugar and enhance the flavors.
- Cold Butter: Cut into cubes. This holds everything together and ensures that your oats get extra crispy.
For the Apple Filling
- Granny Smith Apples: Peeled and thinly sliced.
- Brown Sugar: Packed.
- Butter: Melted.
- All-Purpose Flour: To thicken the filling so it coats the apples and doesn’t get soupy.
- Lemon Juice: For oxidation (browning) prevention.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg
- Salt: This enhances the other flavors in the filling.
What Type of Apples are Best for Apple Crisp?
My preferred apple variety for apple crisp is unquestionably Granny Smith. Because they are solid, they don’t become slimy in your filling, and because they are tart, the filling doesn’t taste too sweet. Red Delicious, Gala, and Honeycrisp are three other excellent apple choices. Additionally, you may combine many different varieties for even more taste!

How to Make Apple Crisp
The simplicity of making this famous dessert is arguably its best feature. Ideally using this recipe. Although it requires less effort than an apple pie, the filling is identical to one. Additionally, you can skip making a pie crust. In its place, it has a straightforward oat topping that adds the perfect finishing touch in terms of flavor and texture.
- Heat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine Dry Ingredients for Topping: Add all of the dry topping ingredients (everything but the butter) to a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine.
- Add Butter & Set Aside: Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly and comes together. Set it aside while you make the filling.
- Make Filling: Combine all of the ingredients for the filling and stir until the apples are well coated, then pour the mixture into an 8 or 9 inch square dish.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake: Bake the crisp for about 40 minutes, until the topping is golden around the edges and the apples are tender.
- Let Cool: Allow your apple crisp to cool for about 15 minutes prior to serving it.
Tips for Success
I have no doubt that you’re about to make a flawless apple crisp. Just keep these tips in mind and you’re golden!
- Peel the Apples: I don’t recommend leaving the skin on your apples. It changes the texture of the filling, and the skin tends to separate from the apples during the baking process.
- Thin & Even Apple Slices are Key: Slicing your apples thinly ensures that they will soften through. If some pieces are larger than others, they won’t all cook nice and evenly.
- Keep the Butter Cold: Don’t leave the butter out at room temperature before you start on your topping. If it’s too warm, the topping will get clumpy.
Brown Sugar Apple Crisp
A tart, cinnamon spiced apple filling with a crisp brown sugar oat topping! Just like Mom used to make – with a twist! Serve warm with ice cream for an easy, comforting dessert!Cooking Mode
PREP TIME30 minutes
COOK TIME45 minutes
TOTAL TIME1 hour 15 minutes
COURSEDessert
CUISINEAmerican
SERVINGS12 people
CALORIES222 kcal
INGREDIENTS 1x2x3x
US CustomaryMetric
For the Filling:
- 5 cups tart apples (pealed, sliced and cut into ¾ inch pieces – I used Granny Smiths & Cripps Pink)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ lemon (zested)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Topping:
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup rolled oats (not instant)
- ½ cup butter (cold, cut into cubes)
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium dish, combine all the filling ingredients and swirl to evenly coat the apples. Refrigerate covered for at least 1 1/2 hours, stirring every so often. Even when I don’t wait that long (imagine that!) out of impatience, the food is still delectable. Although the flavors are greater if the apples macerate, I can totally understand if you decide to bake it right away.
- Set the middle rack in the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees.
- Mix the sugar, flour, and oats in a medium bowl. Add the butter cubes and toss to coat them in the flour mixture. Grab a handful of the butter, squeeze it against your palm with your fingers, and then incorporate it into the flour mixture with your hands. Repeat this process until your hand becomes fatigued, the mixture forms pieces, and there are only a few butter lumps left. Work as rapidly as you can to prevent the butter from melting.
- Pour the apples onto an 8-inch square baking dish after giving them one final swirl. As much or as little of the crisp topping should be used to cover. There are plenty! Incorporate some into the apples. “Believe me.”
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling out the sides and the top is browned. Continue baking for a further 10-15 minutes if you like your apples to be extremely tender, like my husband does.
- Let cool on a wire rack for ten minutes. Ice cream should be served warm.
HEALTHY APPLE CRISP RECIPE {GLUTEN FREE & VERY EASY}
Warm and delicate apples with a crisp buttery brown sugar oat topping make up this simple apple crisp. A delicious dessert that’s ideal for any celebration or season! You should always keep this recipe on hand because it is so easy to make and is always a hit.

This might be the simplest dessert I’ve ever cooked, in my opinion. It takes less than five minutes to put together once the apples have been chopped. And let me tell you, everyone loves this apple crisp. In the Lee home, it didn’t even last a whole day!
Light and fluffy Banana Waffles are easy to make and loaded with the most delicious banana flavor. Kind of like banana bread in waffle form. Serve them for breakfast or brunch, and be sure to make extra to save in the freezer!
If that’s not enough of a reason to prepare this traditional fall dessert, allow me to entice you even more. It’s warm, soothing, far simpler to make than handmade apple pie, and when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s impossible to refuse.

EASY APPLE CRISP INGREDIENTS
One of the best parts about this apple crisp recipe is that it’s made with healthier ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchens. For this recipe you’ll need:
- Apples. We’ll talk more apple details below. Personally, I love to use Honeycrisp apples for this recipe.
- Maple syrup or honey. I like to use maple syrup for the filling. You could also get away with using regular sugar here as well.
- Lemon juice. There’s not many desserts that don’t benefit from the addition of citrus zest or juice. It helps balance sweetness.
- Arrowroot powder or cornstarch. Keeps the apple filling from getting too watery.
- Old fashioned rolled oats. Use gluten free if desired. And I would stick with old fashioned rather than quick oats for the best texture.
- Flour. I used almond flour, but all purpose, whole wheat, and oat flour will all work.
- Sugar. Brown sugar yields the best results in my opinion, but you can also use coconut sugar and in a pinch regular white sugar can be used.
- Cinnamon & nutmeg. Adds the perfect amount of warmth!
- Butter (or vegan butter). Makes the oat topping crisp and buttery.
HOW TO MAKE AN EASY APPLE CRISP
This Apple Crisp is seriously SO simple to make! The most time consuming part is slicing the apples.
- assemble apples. Apples should be washed and thinly sliced.
- Make the filling for apple crisp.
- Toss the apples with the arrowroot powder, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt.
- Construct the crisp topping.
- Rolling oats, almond meal, brown sugar, and melted butter are all combined.
- I like to mix them thoroughly with a fork.
- Bake.
- Fill a pie plate with fruit, cover with the topping, and bake until the topping is browned. Before serving the crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, allow the crisp to cool somewhat.

WHY APPLE CRISP IS A FAVORITE FALL RECIPE
I never let the fall season get away from me without baking up this recipe for healthy apple crisp! Here’s some of the reasons why we love it:
- This gluten free apple crisp recipe has a basic ingredient list. From fresh organic apples to wholesome rolled oats – there are only simple ingredients required.
- It’s so quick + easy! Throw this delicious dessert together in a time crunch and love the results.
- A dessert that goes from its baking dish in the oven directly to the table is always a winner.
- Servings are easy too: simply scoop out some of the apple filling with the topping and place it in a small bowl. Top with ice cream or caramel sauce (or both!). No fussy slicing or worrying about presentation. This easy apple crisp is a breeze to dish up.
- You’d never know this was a healthier recipe. I’ve lightened it up just enough for you to enjoy and still feel like it’s something really special coming out of your oven.

THE BEST APPLES FOR APPLE CRISP
For any apple recipe, I personally prefer to use Honeycrisp apples. The sweet filling and tangy apples make for a wonderful flavor combination. Additionally, they are sturdy enough to withstand baking. They won’t turn out terribly mushy, but they will bake up nice and tender.
Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, and/or Golden Delicious apples are also fantastic choices. To give it even more taste depth, you could also combine a few different varieties of apples.
TIPS FOR THE PERFECT CRISP
A few notes for the best apple crisp every time!
- There is no need to peel the apples unless the skin severely irritates you. Once the apples are cooked and tender, you won’t even notice the skin, which saves a ton of time.
- To ensure equal cooking, slice your apples into uniformly sized pieces.
- Quick oats are not the ideal choice for your topping; rolled oats (old fashioned oats) are. To cook more rapidly, quick oats are broken up, and baking makes them mushy.
- Cover with foil and continue baking until the apples are cooked if you see that your topping is browning too rapidly in the oven.