| | | | |

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

An easy Apple Crisp recipe for days when you’re craving comfort food like grandma used to make. A simple to make apple dessert served warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Side view of a serving of Apple Crisp with vanilla ice cream

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email, and we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get delicious new recipes from us every Friday!

Save Recipe

An Apple crisp is… rather perfect, especially as the leaves begin to change and the days grow shorter. A classic dessert that it wouldn’t be apple season or even fall without making at least once.

And with this simple recipe, it couldn’t be easier to enjoy and fill your kitchen with fall-inspired aromas.

If you thumb through your recipe card file that may be filled with cherished friend and family recipes, you may come across recipes for both apple crisp and apple crumble.

Have you ever wondered what the difference between the two really are?

Side closeup view of warm apple crisp serving in a white bowl with melting vanilla ice cream

What is the difference between a crisp and a crumble?

A crumble is simply a crisp without oats in the topping. It may also feature nuts, like pecans and walnuts, but a crumble topping is usually a simple combination of butter, flour, and sugar that is more clumpy than a crisp.

Top view of Apple Crisp recipe ingredients on a round wood board

Apple Crisp Ingredients

The exact ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the very bottom of this post. But here’s all you need to make this old fashioned apple crisp:

  • Apples: I prefer golden delicious apples, but see the next section for more apple variety ideas.
  • Granulated sugar and light brown sugar
  • Lemon juice
  • Ground cinnamon and nutmeg
  • Old fashioned oats: rolled oats
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cold butter

Which Apples are Best?

I’m using golden delicious apples only because my grandmother used this variety, and I think they’re delicious in crisps. But use your favorite baking apple. Good choices for baking apples include Granny Smith, Fuji, Gravenstein, Jonagold, Crispin or Winesap.

The quantity and weight of the apples will vary depending on which apple variety you choose and their sizes. I usually use 6 apples for a 9 x 9-inch square pan (affiliate link). Occasionally I will use one less or one more, depending on their sizes. The object is to fill the baking pan to nearly the top.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

This recipe is easily made using only a mixing bowl, a spoon, and a square baking dish. Here are the tools I use to make it even simpler.

  • Apple peeler and slicer: My grandmother was a wiz at peeling potatoes and apples. My mother can peel an apple with a pairing knife and make a ribbon peel from the entire apple. I didn’t inherit these genes. So, my apple peeler tool helps me peel, core, and slice apples in a minute or two!
  • Mixing bowl for the topping and perhaps a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the topping.
  • Square baking pan: either a 9-inch or 8-inch pan works well.
Top view of Apple Crisp serving with melting vanilla ice cream

How to Make Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350°F and butter or coat a square baking pan with nonstick spray.

Step 1: Make the crisp topping

In a bowl, add brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and butter. Cut the butter into the oat mixture until it looks like pea-size crumbs. Spread the mixture over the apples.

Step 2: Peel and chop the apples

Peel, core and chop the apples; add to a mixing bowl. Toss with sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice; transfer to the baking pan.

Step 3: Bake the Apple Crisp

Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.

More Recipes You May Also Enjoy

SAVE THIS AND PIN IT FOR LATER!

If you are not already, you can follow me on Pinterest and keep up with me on FacebookInstagram, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, I would love it if you would tag me in your photos and leave a star rating below!

To be notified of new recipes, subscribe to my e-mail list. It’s free, and you’ll also receive a free e-book of our reader’s favorite recipes.

Side view of a serving of Apple Crisp with vanilla ice cream

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe Like Grandma Used to Make

An easy Apple Crisp recipe for days when you're craving comfort food like grandma used to make. A simple to make apple dessert served warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
4.3 from 6 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients 

  • 6 golden delicious apples peeled and chopped *
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon divided
  • 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice

Crisp Topping

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees and butter or coat with nonstick cooking spray an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish. Set aside.
  • Prepare the crisp topping: Combine brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and cold, cubed butter in a mixing bowl. Use a pastry cutter, 2 forks, or even your fingers to cut the butter into the oat/flour mixture. Work until the topping resembles pea-sized crumbs. Set aside.
  • Make the apple filling: In a mixing bowl, toss together sliced apples, granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and lemon juice. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and spread the crisp topping evenly over the apples.
  • Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is golden.

Notes

Apples

I'm using golden delicious apples only because my grandmother used this variety, and I think they're delicious in crisps. But use your favorite baking apple. The quantity and weight of the apples aren't fixed. I usually use 6 apples for a 9 x 9-inch square pan (affiliate link). Occasionally I will use less or 1 more, depending on the apple. The object is to fill the baking pan with sliced apples.

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe? Pin it Today!Follow me on Pinterest for more and use the "Pin" button at the top of the recipe card.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple crisp, apple crisp recipe, easy apple crisp recipe
4.34 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating