When I need a dessert that’s reliable, comforting, and quick to make, my “Easy Apple Crisp Recipe You’ll Make Again & Again” is my go-to. This dessert brings the sweet warmth of cinnamon apples topped with just-right oat crumble, using simple pantry staples. In this article, I’ll share why this recipe is a repeat-worthy favorite, walk you through it step by step, offer easy swaps to suit your kitchen, and answer your top questions about making it just right.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Apple Crisp
Comfort at Its Simplest
This apple crisp feels like home. It’s warm, softly spiced, and easy to mix together. Every fall—or really, any time your soul calls for cozy—it delivers that gentle comfort without a fuss.
Ready in a Flash
What I love most is how fast it comes together: just peel, slice, toss, crumble, and bake. It’s the dessert equivalent of a handwritten note—warm, genuine, and uncomplicated.
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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe You’ll Make Again & Again
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This easy apple crisp recipe features tender cinnamon-spiced apples with a golden oat topping. A cozy dessert you’ll return to all year long.
Ingredients
5–6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)
3 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of salt
— Crumble Topping —
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
2. Toss sliced apples with sugars, spices, lemon juice, and salt. Let sit 5 minutes.
3. In a second bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add butter and mix into crumbs.
4. Layer spiced apples in baking dish. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly.
5. Bake for 35–40 minutes until topping is golden and apples are bubbling.
6. Cool for 10 minutes before serving. Best warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Use mixed apples for flavor depth.
Add chopped nuts for extra crunch.
Store leftovers in fridge and reheat as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: easy apple crisp, homemade apple crisp, quick fall dessert, cozy apple dessert
All the Ingredients You’ll Need
Apple Filling
- 5–6 medium apples – peel and slice thin (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Oat Crumble Topping
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter – cold, cut into small cubes
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
First, preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease an 8×8-inch or similar baking dish lightly. This small, cozy size makes it perfect for families or a cozy gathering.
2. Toss the Apples
In a large bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and salt. Toss the apple slices in this mixture until every piece is coated. Let it rest for five minutes—this helps draw out natural juices and deepen flavor.
3. Make the Topping
In a separate bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes, then blend with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture forms a loose, pebbly crumble.
4. Layer in Dish
Spread the spiced apples evenly into the baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit, gently pressing so it nests in lightly but stays airy.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for about 35–40 minutes, or until you see the apples bubbling at the edges and the topping turns a golden brown. For a softer topping, cover lightly with foil in the last 10 minutes of baking.
6. Rest Before Serving
Let the crisp cool for 10 minutes—this pause lets the filling thicken so it doesn’t run when you scoop it. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or spoonful of whipped cream.
In a pinch? Use my Apple Crisp with Oatmeal & Extra Streusel for Crunch Lovers as a shortcut version—same delicious feel, faster prep.
Smart Swaps and Flavor Twists
Easy Variations
Want to shake it up? Here are fun, simple ideas:
- Add ½ cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) to the topping for extra crunch.
- Toss in ½ cup dried cranberries or fresh blueberries with the apples for bursts of flavor.
- Stir 1 tsp vanilla extract into the sugar mixture for depth.
Healthy Alternatives
Use coconut oil instead of butter, or swap brown sugar for coconut sugar for a lighter version. You can also replace half the flour in the topping with almond meal for a nutty note.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Mix the apples and spices and store in the fridge for a few hours ahead of baking. Keep the topping separate. When you’re ready, assemble and bake—add 5 extra minutes if the apples are cold.
Storage and Reheating Tips?
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Warm individual slices in the microwave or reheat the whole dish in a 300 °F oven for 10 minutes.
Frozen Bake Option?
Assemble the crisp unbaked and freeze for up to 2 months. When you want it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual. Or freeze leftovers and reheat later—the crunchy topping holds up well.
Why wasn’t my topping crunchy?
Soggy results often mean too much liquid or not enough baking time. Use firmer apples, and bake until the edges bubble and the topping browns. That crunch will come!
Your New Favorite Dessert
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe You’ll Make Again & Again is exactly that—a dessert so simple and soulful, you’ll want to bake it over and over. The sweet warmth of spiced apples and crunchy, buttery topping gives you comfort without complication. I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen—because in my house, it already has.