Introduction

This Quick & Easy Apple Crisp is a delightful dessert that combines tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery, crunchy topping. Perfectly balanced and simple to make, it’s a cozy treat to enjoy any time of year.

A close-up of a glass square dish filled with apple crumble. The bottom layer shows soft cooked apple slices soaked in a glossy, light brown syrup. The top layer is thick and crumbly with a golden brown color, uneven and rough in texture, covering the apple filling completely except for a small open section. The dish sits on a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 pounds apples (Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for topping)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
1/4 teaspoon salt (for topping)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, diced (for topping)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for sauce)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided (for sauce)
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup light brown sugar (for sauce)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for sauce)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt (for sauce)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and slicing them thinly. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl and set aside.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the topping ingredients except for the butter: flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Step 4: Add the diced butter to the topping mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is coarse and crumbly with some small clumps remaining. Chill the topping in the fridge while you prepare the sauce.
Step 5: Melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour until smooth.
Step 6: Add the water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, remaining 1 tablespoon of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the melted butter. Stir until well combined.
Step 7: Pour the sauce over the sliced apples. Toss gently with a spoon or your hands to coat all the apples evenly.
Step 8: Transfer the apples into the prepared baking dish, spreading them into an even layer.
Step 9: Remove the topping mixture from the fridge and sprinkle it evenly over the apples to cover them completely.
Step 10: Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the topping is golden brown. You can test the apples by piercing them with a toothpick, and you should see the sauce bubbling at the edges.
Step 11: Allow the apple crisp to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the juices thicken and the flavors meld. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of ice cream.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor.
Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the topping for extra crunch.
For gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend and oats with certified gluten-free oats.
If you prefer a spicier dessert, increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of nutmeg.

Storage

Store leftover apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. The topping remains crispier when reheated in the oven rather than the microwave.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with three visible layers: the bottom layer is soft, cooked apple pieces in a light golden sauce; the middle layer is a crumbly, golden-brown oat and sugar topping with a crunchy texture; the top layer is a large scoop of creamy, white vanilla ice cream that is beginning to melt slightly onto the warm crisp. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl, and the bowl sits on a surface with a white marbled texture and part of a colorful patterned cloth beside it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

Fresh apples are best because they retain texture and flavor when baked. Frozen apples can add excess moisture and make the dish soggy, but if using frozen, thaw and drain them well before cooking.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the apple crisp but wait to bake it until ready. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to one day before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.