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Best Apple Crisp Recipe

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This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe will quickly become your family favorite Autumn dessert after your first bite.  Warm out of the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with salted caramel sauce, you’ll never have leftovers to worry about.

 

 

Apple Crisp:

It doesn’t get any more American than Apple Crisp.  A cousin to the classic apple pie, this baked dish is easier and quicker to make but tastes just as good!  Topped with a crispy oatmeal crumble, you’ll soon be calling apples your new favorite fruit!  Not only is this homemade apple crisp easy to prepare, but it’s also loved by everyone, young or old. 

What Apples are Best for Apple Crisp?

You may be asking yourself what are the best apples for apple crisp.  If you’ve never baked apples before you should know that no two apples bake quite the same.  When baked, some apples dissolve quite easily, while others hold their shape.  Some are naturally sweet while others are tart. 

When it comes to baking, the main questions you need to ask are do you want apple sauce or apple chunks and is there sugar added to your recipe or are you depending on the natural sugar from the apples to sweeten your dish.

For this Apple Crisp Recipe, you want a firm apple that will hold it’s shape as well as an apple that is tart and will sweeten in the yummy sauce that will be created from the apples juice and sugars.  

Granny Smith apples are known as the best baking apples for recipes like apple crisp and apple pie.  Though you could use what you have on hand, I recommend sticking with the Granny Smith apple as you’ll get the best, most consistent results each time.

 

Baked Apple Crisp - sliced apples with spices on top - not mixed in.

 

Do you Peel Apples for Apple Crisp?

Traditionally, most apple crisp recipes are made with peeled apples.  However, the choice is up to you on whether or not you want to peel your apples. If you hate seeing the apple skins go to waste, then keep them on.  If you have picky children like I do, who wont eat apples with their skins, then peel them.  

I peel my apples each time and snack on the skins.  It’s a win-win and really gets me excited about my first bite of baked apple crisp!

 

Baked Apple Crisp - Apples with sugar and spices mixed in.

 

How do you Make Apple Crisp?

Making this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is definitely something you can do!  There are only a few basic steps and if my kids can make this without messing up, you can too!

  1. Peel your apples and chop them.  You can slice them into strips 1/4 inch thick or cut them into 1/4 inch thick diced apples, your choice.
  2. Toss your apples with flour, sugar and cinnamon until well coated.
  3. Place apples in a 8×8 casserole dish.
  4. In the same bowl combine flour, oats, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Mix together, breaking up clumps.
  5. Add melted butter to oat mixture and mix well until crumbly.  
  6. Sprinkle oat topping on top of your apple crisp, covering as many apples as possible.
  7. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until apples are cooked through.

 

Baked Apple Crisp - crisp topping all mixed up and in bowl

 

Does Apple Crisp Need to be Refrigerated?

Because you’re dealing with fresh fruit, YES it does need to be refrigerated.  Don’t worry, this isn’t something you need to worry about right away.  First, enjoy this simple apple crisp with your family or guests.  Then, when dinner is over and dessert has been enjoyed, if you have any leftover you’ll need to cover it and keep it in the fridge. 

If you leave it out on the counter over night (or even a few days) you’ll be inviting a host of unseen mold spores to join you on your next bowl full.  So to keep things safe and prevent mold from joining your tasty crisp, keep it in the fridge when not being enjoyed!  This crisp should keep well for up to 5 days. 

 

Baked Apple Crisp - Crisp topping placed on top of apples, ready to bake

 

Can you Freeze Apple Crisp?

Now that you know how to make apple crisp you may want to know the secret to freezing a second batch for later!  Freezing apple crisp is easy and a huge time saver for busy days!  If you’re planning on making these to freeze for later, or give as gifts, do not prebake  your crisp.  Instead, prepare as directed with the oatmeal topping in a foil 8×8 dish and cover with two layers of heavy duty foil.  You can also use your own glass 8×8 casserole dish too!

When ready to bake thaw overnight in the fridge and bake uncovered as directed.    

 

Baked Apple Crisp - Crisp fresh from oven

 

How To Make Apple Crisp Topping:

Can we all just say that apple crisp with oatmeal topping is hands down a must have Autumn dessert!  The crispy oatmeal toppings is my favorite part!  SOO good! It’s also VERY easy to whip up! 

  1. In a bowl combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Mix together making sure to break up any clumps.
  2. Now add your melted butter.  gently mix it all together ensuring the oatmeal mixture is covered in butter.  Your mixture should be crumbly.
  3. Spread this crumbly mixture over your apples.  Do not press down but leave the mixture in clumps.

How to Make Apple Crisp Ahead of Time:

If you’re looking to make a quick apple crisp, then you should do all the prep work ahead of time!  Simple assemble the entire crisp a day in advance, cover and refrigerate.  Do not bake.  When you’re about to sit down to dinner, remove your cover and bake your crisp.  By the time you’re done with dinner, dessert will be hot and fresh from the oven with no extra dishes to wash!

This apple crisp can be made 24 hours in advance or you can freeze it for up to 3 months to enjoy later!

 

Baked Apple Crisp - Spoon scooping out cooked apples and crisp topping

 

Tips for Making the Best Apple Crisp: 

  • Reuse the same bowl you tossed your apples in for your crisp topping.  There is no need to dirty another dish!  The flavors all meld together anyway, so save yourself the extra work.  
  • When ready to eat, top your apple crisp with scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Salted Caramel Sauce or all three!
  • Make a double batch and freeze one for later.  I promise, later will come sooner than you think after you’ve tried this!  

This Apple Crisp with Oatmeal topping is hands down one of my favorite treats. I’m a sucker for all crisps and love the soft baked fruit and the crunchy topping all in one spoonful. If by some small chance you’re worried about the calories or sugar or anything else to do with this recipe, just tell yourself this:  There are apples and oatmeal in this recipe, thus making it healthy.  So healthy, you could justify it as a breakfast item and a dessert item!  You’re welcome!  

 

Baked Apple Crisp - close up of apple crisp in pan, ready to be served.

 

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Yield: 8 Servings

Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Baked Apple Crisp - close up of apple crisp in pan, ready to be served.

This simple apple crisp recipe is a favorite all year! Yummy sliced apples baked to perfection and topped with a oatmeal crisp topping! Make one now and freeze a second for later!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 large Granny Smith Apples
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour 
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Oatmeal Crisp Topping

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*F
  2. Peel and slice apples 1/4 inch thick and place in bowl. Discard apple peels.
  3. Add to apples 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 Tablespoons flour and 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Mix well.
  4. Place apples in a greased 8x8 casserole dish. Set aside.
  5. In the same bowl as apple mixture was just in add 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon & 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well ensuring no big clumps.
  6. Melt butter and pour over oatmeal mixture. Mixture should be crumbly once mixed well.
  7. Sprinkle oatmeal topping over apples and bake uncovered for 35 - 40 minutes or until apples are soft and topping is crispy.
  8. Serve with salted caramel sauce, ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

You can leave the apple skins on if you wish.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 355Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 162mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 4gSugar: 38gProtein: 3g

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Justine

Tuesday 18th of August 2020

Yummmmm! Apple crisp is one of my favorite fall desserts! This one turned out great!

Janelle

Wednesday 19th of August 2020

Thank you so much Jusine! So glad it was a hit for you too!

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