Apple crisp with green apples is a holiday flavor that arrives every fall. It’s the perfect winter snack. If you like to roast your apples before putting them in any baked goods, try adding fresh thyme or fresh sage to the mix. You might be surprised at how well those herbs complement the roasted sweetness of apple pie filling.
apple crisp
A handmade apple pie filling and the most delicious crumble topping, comprised of oats, cinnamon, and chopped pecans, are the main ingredients in this recipe for apple crisp. This autumnal treat is delicious, with a crispy topping that is extremely thick.

what makes this the best apple crisp recipe?
In a nutshell, Grandma’s loving embrace can be compared to this apple crisp.
With a crunchy, nutty covering that is bursting with warm cinnamon flavor, the tender baked apples taste a lot like apple pie filling. This simple fall treat has a great impression when topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
the ideal apples for an apple crisp.
Tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn will work best with this recipe. Here is a useful comparison of the two.
Granny Smith Apples: These apples are widely available in most US grocery shops and, thanks to their sharpness, go very well with the crisp’s sweetness. Additionally, they maintain their shape when baked, becoming soft.

Braeburn Apples– These apples are very similar to Granny Smith but with a slightly sweeter flavor. This makes Braeburn apples an excellent choice also for this Apple Crisp recipe.
apple crisp ingredients
These are the total amount of ingredients needed for both the apple filling and crumble topping.
- Granny Smith or Braeburn Apples (9 medium sized apples)
- All Purpose Flour (1 cup + 3 tablespoons)
- Brown Sugar (either light or dark, almost 1 full cup packed)
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup)
- Cinnamon (2 teaspoons)
- Nutmeg ( 1/4 teaspoon)
- All-Spice (1/4 teaspoon)
- Ginger (1/8 teaspoon)
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (1/2 cup)
- Baking Powder (1 teaspoon)
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon)
- 1 large egg
- Chopped Pecans (1/2 cup)
- Butter, either unsalted or salted (6 tablespoons)
step by step instructions
- Peel, core and cut apples into 1/4 inch slices. The quickest way to do this is to first peel the apples with a peeler. Once peeled a 16 slice apple slicer will quickly cut the apples into the desired thickness.
Pro Tip: If using a 8 slice apple slicer as seen in the photo below, the apple slices will need to be cut in half again.

- 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and crushed ginger, and apple pieces are combined. The apples will unavoidably start to cry and get juicy.
- Spread the apple slices out in a uniform layer in a 9 × 13 inch pan after adding them.
- The ingredients for the Crisp Topping should be added to a medium-sized mixing bowl as the oven is preheated to 325°F.
- The mixture should be thoroughly mixed until crumbly and the moisture from the egg and vanilla has been thoroughly combined.
- As evenly as you can, top the cut apples with the crumble mixture.
- Melt the butter, then spread it as evenly as you can over the crumble mixture. If there are a few dry places, don’t be concerned.
- 45 minutes of baking at 325°F, followed by 15 minutes at 400°F or until golden brown.

- Let cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
freezing and reheating apple crisp
Transferring leftover Apple Crisp to a freezer-safe oven-safe container and freezing for up to three months is the simplest way to store it. When you’re ready to serve, take the Crisp out of the freezer and let it spend the night in the fridge to defrost. About 20 to 25 minutes of baking at 350 degrees.
Ingredients:
For the filling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 6 cups sliced fresh apple (see Play Your Part to select apple)
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
For the topping
- 1 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp (6 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for buttering baking dish
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Directions:
- The baking dish is ready, and the oven is heated. Set a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-9-inch or 11-by-7-inch glass baking dish; reserve.
- Construct the fruit filling.
- In a medium mixing basin, combine the sugar and cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Toss the fruit lightly to coat with the lemon juice addition. Place in the baking pan.
- Construct the crisp topping.
- Oats, flour, sugar, and salt should all be blended in a big bowl. Over the oat mixture, drizzle the butter and add the vanilla; toss to blend. For later use, set aside or keep in the freezer in a zip-top freezer bag.
- the crisp on top.
- Leave some large clumps intact and evenly distribute the crisp topping over the fruit mixture.
- Griddle the crisp.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is brown and firm to the touch and the fruit juices are bubbling around the edges of the baking dish.
- the crisp down.
- Before serving, let the crisp cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. Allow the crisp to completely cool before packing it for a picnic or party so the fruit filling has time to set. Crisps last for up to a week when covered and kept in the fridge. Serve the dish cold, at room temperature, or after 20 minutes of rewarming in a low oven.
Recipe Notes:
- Up to three months in advance, the crisp topping can be prepared and frozen.
- For up to 3 days, cover and chill leftover crisp. Enjoy cold for breakfast or, 20 minutes prior to serving, gently rewarm in a low oven.
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

It can be challenging to make traditional apple sweets for the holidays. That is why I always make my Easy Apple Crisp recipe during this time of year. It includes a delightful oat topping that is cooked to a bubbly, crispy perfection, along with spiced granny smith apples and warm caramel sauce.
Exceptional Apple Crisp
In my opinion, the tastiest but simplest apple crisp recipe calls for something I refer to as “loose caramel.”
This simple apple crisp recipe incorporates a caramel-slurry of sorts instead of standing over a shop and vigorously whisking a caramel sauce, which can quickly burn if you’re not careful.
Melted butter, flour, water, and lemon juice are combined in a bowl and simply mixed. Its thin, ribbon-like consistency makes it perfect for coating apples. The loose caramel is flavored with salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla essence.
The crunchy oat topping is last but surely not least. The topping of an excellent apple crisp must have some roughness. As a result, I always use old-fashioned rolled oats. Then, of course, I add brown sugar, freshly ground cinnamon, butter, and a dash of salt to them.
Which Apples Are the Best?
This is a personal choice. Taste and texture are the deciding factors. Granny smith apples are used in my simple apple crisp recipe because they have traditionally been the greatest apples for baking. They maintain their shape well and don’t degenerate into a mushy, soft mass. They are a little sour, though (which I love).
I suggest Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious apples if you prefer a sweeter apple with characteristics of a granny smith in terms of texture.
Tips and Tricks
- Apples must be peeled. This action, in my opinion, is crucial. When baked for an extended amount of time, apple peels (even those from granny smith apples) can turn sticky and weird.
- The oat topping must cool. Make sure the butter in the topping is nice and firm before spreading it over the apples. The topping must be made using cold butter, according to the recipe. But the butter softens in the warmth of the food processor or your hands. Before spreading the topping over your apples, place it in the refrigerator or freezer one last time to prevent softening.
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
This time of year, I always make this simple apple crisp dish. It includes a delightful oat topping that is cooked to a bubbly, crispy perfection, along with spiced granny smith apples and warm caramel sauce. heated and accompanied by a serving of vanilla ice cream.
PREP TIME15 mins
COOK TIME35 mins
COOL TIME10 mins
COURSEAnything Sweet, Casserole, Dessert
CUISINEDesserts
SERVINGS8 servings
INGREDIENTS
Apple Filling
- 2 pounds granny smith apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Oat Crisp Topping
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (cubed)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- Turn on the oven to 375 degrees (F).
- Prepare the crisp topping first. Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
- Using your hands or a food processor, combine together the dry ingredients and cold cubed butter. The mixture ought to resemble moist sand. While making the apple filling, cool the topping in the refrigerator.
- Melted butter and flour are whisked together until a paste forms in a separate bowl. Water, lemon juice, vanilla essence, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt are then stirred in. “Loose caramel” should be how the mixture appears.
- Slice, peel, and core apples. Over the sliced apples, pour the “loose caramel” and stir to combine.
- In a greased baking dish, arrange the coated apples and top with an even coating of the crisp topping. Bake for 35 minutes, or until apples are soft and topping is browned.
- After ten minutes of rest, serve with ice cream. Enjoy!
faq’s
can i leave the peel on the apples?
Yes, the peel may be left on the apples. However, many people prefer the texture of peeled apples over unpeeled. Whether to peel the apples or not really comes down to a personal preference.
is there a way to make this a gluten-free crisp?
To make this a gluten free Apple Crisp replace the all purpose flour with this type of flour and make sure to purchase gluten-free rolled oats.
can i use quick oats rather than old fashioned rolled oats?
Yes quick oats can replace old fashioned rolled oats in this recipe. However, the texture of the crumble topping will change slightly.
what should i serve this crisp with?
Top with vanilla ice cream and Carmel sauce or with fresh homemade whipped cream. However, this Apple Crisp is absolutely amazing all by itself.