Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
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There’s nothing cozier than a warm Apple Crisp straight from the oven. This easy dessert has all the right things going for it with sweet, juicy apples, the perfect amount of spice, and a buttery, golden crumble on top.
Table of Contents
Jump to RecipeThis recipe is perfect for a holiday dinner, a chilly weekend, or just because you’ve got a bunch of apples to use up. Everything comes together in just about an hour, and it’s so simple to make. No special tools needed, and you don’t even have to mess with pie dough!
I absolutely adore apple desserts at this time of year. Soft, sweet apples, swimming in cinnamon, sugar, and butter. YUM! You’ll love my Apple Turnover recipe, an incredible Jewish Apple Cake, and this killer Homemade Apple Butter.
Need more proof that I’m an apple lover? Check out ALL the apple recipes on this site in my Fall Apple Recipes collection.
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients: You probably already have everything you need.
- Classic fall flavor: With apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, you can’t go wrong.
- Perfect texture: Soft apples under a crisp, buttery topping.
- Make-ahead friendly: Great warm from the oven, room temp, or even chilled.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you’re cooking.
For the spiced apple filling
- Butter: Adds richness to the base of the filling.
- Apples: Medium-sized, peeled and sliced; use a mix for the best flavor and texture.
- Brown sugar: Loosely packed, for a deeper, molasses-y sweetness.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the juices into a silky sauce.
- Cinnamon: Classic warm spice that brings the apple flavor to life.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
- Lemon juice: Brightens everything and helps keep the apples from browning.
- Water: Helps the apples soften and cook down evenly.
For the crumb topping
- Butter: Melted for easy mixing and rich flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure and crunch to the topping.
- Brown sugar: For that caramelized edge and sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Adds another layer of warm spice to the topping.
- Kosher salt: Keeps the topping from tasting flat.
How To Make Apple Crisp
Make the apple filling
- In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
- Add the apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice.
- Stir well to coat the apples.
- Pour in the water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the mixture is glossy and thickened.
- Pour the filling into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the crumb topping
- Melt the butter in a small pot over medium-low heat.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt with a fork until large, crumbly chunks form.
Assemble and bake
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crisp.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Apple choice matters: Use a mix like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for sweet-tart flavor and good texture.
- Want it gluten-free? Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
- Make it ahead: Prep the filling and topping separately, refrigerate, and assemble just before baking.
- Serving idea: Try it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
FAQ
Yes! You can make the filling and topping up to a day in advance. Store separately in the fridge and assemble just before baking.
Cover and refrigerate. It’ll keep well for up to 4 days. You can reheat individual servings in the microwave or pop the whole dish back in a low oven.
Definitely. Bake it first, cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven before serving.
This dish can be eaten warm or cold. Personally, I love it warm. It’s total comfort food!
I also love to add a sprinkling of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. And my favorite salted caramel sauce will totally take this apple crisp to the next level!
If you have someone in your life with food sensitivities, I have great news for you: this apple crisp can totally be made gluten-free OR vegan.
For gluten-free apple crisp, just use a gluten-free flour blend that subs 1:1 for regular flour. Here are a few good options:
– King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
– Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour
– Cup4Cup Multi-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
If you want to make it vegan, just substitute the butter for your favorite plant-based butter substitute. Coconut oil would be a great choice.
This recipe is practically foolproof! You can really use any apple you like. It all depends on your personal preference.
I often reach for Granny Smith apples because they’re so firm and hold up well for baking without turning to mush. And I really love their tart, intensely apple-y flavor.
But Braeburn, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Cortland would also work well.
More Recipes
- Apple Fritters
- Caramel Apple Pie
- Apple Pie Bars
- Simply Perfect Apple Pie
- Apple Scones
- Apple Galette
- Apple Bread
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
For the spiced apple filling
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- about 10 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3/4 cup (165 g) loosely packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) kosher salt
- juice of 1 lemon, (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 cup (250 g) water
For the crumb topping
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (110 g) loosely packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) kosher salt
Instructions
To make the spiced apple filling:
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat, then add the apples, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice.
- Stir to coat.
- Pour in the water, and continue too cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples have become soft.
- Transfer the filling to a baking dish and top with crumb topping.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes, or until the topping is crisp and slightly browned.
To make the crumb topping:
- Place the butter in a small pot over medium-low heat, until melted.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients with a fork, until combined and crumbly.
The apples do NOT change when you alter the serving size!!!!!
I would love to make this recipe.
Linda
Please tell me what is the info you’re looking for? Are you interested in nutritional info or do you just want to scale the recipe up or down? One medium apple is approximately 100 grams.
Hate to nitpick, but this recipe is actually an apple crumble. A proper apple crisp has rolled oats in the topping. Just substitute half of the flour in the topping for rolled oats (ie. use ¾c flour & ¾c rolled oats instead of 1½c flour).
HI
I like oats in my crumb toppings how can I incorporate them into this recipe?
Can I swap out some of the flower for oats?
Hey Val! You can definitely do that. Just add whatever quantity of oats you like. If the streusel seems too dry just balance it out with more melted butter. Good luck and enjoy!
i really want to try the apple crisp recipe. Now i will try this.
Awesome! Hope you enjoy!
I love fall for this reason, all things apple. Yum!
Me too Leslie! Fall is the best time for apples!
I love apple crisp all year, but especially in the fall! I love your tips on how to store it!
Apple crisp is my fav fall dessert! Can’t wait to try!
Beautiful! My favorite fall dessert!