If you're like me and stock up during apple season and then don't know what to do with the surplus, this easy apple crisp with oat topping is for you. This recipe has perfectly tender warm apple filling with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a delicious brown sugar oat-based crisp topping that gets so beautifully golden and crispy. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, always.
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Ingredients
This apple crisp recipe uses pretty simple ingredients that you likely have as pantry staples or can easily find in a grocery store. Quantities and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Granny smith apples: tart apples are the best apples to bake with – so granny smith are perfect.
- Cinnamon: mixed with the apples brings a nice warm spice flavor.
- Lemon juice: the acid balances out the sweetness and helps the apples to not brown.
- Granulated sugar: a classic baking sugar.
- Light brown sugar: brings a nice rich sugar flavor. You could also use dark brown sugar.
- Old fashioned oats: old-fashioned oats get perfectly tender when baked – do not use quick cooking, instant, etc. as they will not be the right texture.
- All purpose flour: standard baking flour.
- Unsalted butter: unsalted is key otherwise make sure you reduce the amount of added salt. You'll also want to make sure you're using cold butter because it'll help form clusters.
- Nutmeg: seasons the oat crisp topping!
- Salt: kosher salt, always
Step by step instructions
- Peel and cut the apples into 1" pieces. Combine them in a large bowl with cinnamon, lemon juice, and granulated sugar. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the crisp topping – light brown sugar, old fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add cold cubed butter to the oat mixture. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter(/pastry blender), work the butter into the mixture until everything is moistened and in coarse pieces.
- Dump the apple mixture into a prepared baking dish and top with the oat crisp topping. I like to squeeze the topping together as I add it to the top so that I get some larger chunks.
- Bake at 350℉ for 35-45 minutes, until the top is nicely golden brown.
How to serve apple crisp
Homemade apple crisp is delicious as is, but can be taken up a notch when served with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
- Homemade whipped cream
- Some chopped pecans on top
Tips and tricks
- Instead of baking this in a single baking dish, you can make individual servings in smaller ramekins.
- To ensure your apples don't stick to the baking dish, do a quick spray of non-stick cooking spray to the dish.
Storage and reheating
- Store either in the baking dish that you made it in and cover it tightly with aluminum foil/plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container – for both options, keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, either in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for a few minutes until warmed through.
FAQs
What's the difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble?
A crisp is made with an oat topping, whereas a crumble topping does not have oats.
What other types of apples can I use?
Pink lady apples or McIntosh apples are great tart apple alternatives.
Can I make this a gluten free apple crisp?
Yes! Just use 1:1 gluten free flour (where 1 cup of the gluten free flour = 1 cup of AP flour) or you can use oat flour, but you'd need a little more oat flour so for every 1 cup of AP flour use 1 ¼ cup oat flour.
More apple desserts
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📖 Recipe
Easy Apple Crisp with Oat Topping
If you're like me and stock up during apple season and then don't know what to do with the surplus, this easy apple crisp with oat topping is for you. This recipe has perfectly tender warm apple filling with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a delicious brown sugar oat-based crisp topping that gets so beautifully golden and crispy. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, always.
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Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the apple filling:
- 6 granny smith apples
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
For the crisp topping:
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉.
- Peel and cut your apples into 1" pieces. Add them to a bowl with the cinnamon, lemon juice, and sugar. Mix to combine and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients for the topping except the butter - light brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cube the butter then add to the topping bowl. With your hands or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the mixture until you get coarse pieces.
- Add your apples into your baking dish and top with the oat mixture. If you want bigger crisp pieces, clump together some of the topping as you're pouring it on.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, until nice and golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream!
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 687kcal | Carbohydrates: 117g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 601mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 81g | Vitamin A: 859IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg
Mare says
Amazing apple crisp! Well done! Everything about this recipe says fall vibes. Highly recommend making this recipe, especially if you are an apple crisp lover like me.
Haley says
Thank you so much Mare!! 🙂