The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Introduction

Apple crisp is a timeless dessert that perfectly balances tender baked apples with a crunchy, buttery topping. This easy recipe brings out the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg for a comforting treat ideal for any season.

Ingredients

• 6-8 medium apples (2.5 – 3 lbs), e.g., Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for topping)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for topping)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into small cubes (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: Peel, core, and slice apples 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, tossing to coat.
3. Step 3: In a separate medium bowl, whisk granulated sugar, light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional cloves. Sprinkle over apples and toss gently until coated. Scatter 2 tablespoons unsalted butter pieces over the apples. Pour apple mixture into the prepared baking dish.
4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk to combine.
5. Step 5: Add the very cold butter cubes to the dry topping ingredients. Using a pastry blender or fingertips, cut butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Keep butter cold to ensure a crisp texture.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the prepared crisp topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish. Do not press down.
7. Step 7: Bake for 45-60 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the apple filling is bubbling and tender when pierced with a knife. If topping browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the last 15-20 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld.
9. Step 9: Serve warm, optionally with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream, or warm caramel sauce.
10. Step 10: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or larger portions in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15-20 minutes to restore crispiness.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor and balanced sweetness.
• Substitute cornstarch for flour in the filling to create a clearer, less cloudy sauce.
• Keep the butter very cold and work quickly when making the topping for a crispier texture.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the topping for extra crunch and flavor.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and oats certified gluten-free.

Storage

Store any leftover apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or heat larger portions in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15-20 minutes to maintain a crisp topping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for apple crisp?

While fresh apples are best for texture, you can use frozen apples if you thaw and drain them well to reduce excess moisture. This helps prevent a soggy crisp.

How do I prevent the topping from burning?

If the topping begins to brown too quickly, tent the dish loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking. This protects the topping while allowing the apples to cook through.

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 70 reviews

• Author: Cleo
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This classic apple crisp recipe combines tender, cinnamon-spiced baked apples with a buttery, oat-studded crisp topping. Baked until golden and bubbling, it’s the perfect comforting dessert served warm, especially delightful with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Apple Filling:

• 6–8 medium apples (2.5 – 3 lbs), such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Crisp Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into small cubes

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Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with the fresh lemon juice, tossing well to coat them evenly and prevent browning.
3. Mix Apple Filling: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional cloves. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and toss gently until all slices are well coated. Scatter the small pieces of unsalted butter over the apple mixture, then pour everything into the prepared baking dish.
4. Prepare Crisp Topping (Dry Ingredients): Combine all-purpose flour, rolled oats, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, optional nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well combined.
5. Incorporate Butter into Topping: Add the very cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry topping ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Keeping the butter cold is crucial to achieve a crisp topping texture when baked.
6. Assemble Crisp: Evenly sprinkle the prepared crisp topping over the apple filling in the baking dish. Avoid pressing down on the topping, so it bakes to a light, crunchy texture.
7. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and crisp, and the apple filling is bubbling and tender when pierced with a knife. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking to prevent burning.
8. Cool Before Serving: Remove the apple crisp from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes. This resting time allows the filling to set and the flavors to meld beautifully.
9. Serve: Serve the apple crisp warm. For an indulgent treat, add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.
10. Store and Reheat: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or reheat larger portions in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15-20 minutes to bring back the crispness of the topping.

Notes

• Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith along with sweeter ones like Fuji or Honeycrisp for balanced flavor and texture.
• Keeping the butter very cold before mixing into the topping helps create a crumbly, crisp texture.
• Do not press the topping down on the apples to ensure a light, crunchy crust.
• If the topping browns too quickly, tent with foil to prevent burning.
• Apple crisp can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic presentation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple crisp, baked apple dessert, fall dessert, easy apple crisp recipe, cinnamon apple dessert