Make the most of crisp fall apples with this simple apple crisp that combines tart apples, a buttery oat topping, and a touch of brown sugar for a warm, comforting dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Fall Apple Crisp
Simple and quick: With just a few pantry staples and minimal prep, you can have a warm, bubbling dessert on the table in under an hour and a half.
Uses seasonal apples: This recipe highlights fresh fall apples—firm varieties hold up well in baking and give the crisp a great texture and flavor contrast with the topping.
Customizable sweetness: The recipe works with regular white and brown sugar or reduced-calorie sugar blends if you prefer to cut calories while keeping the sweet flavor.
Versatile serving options: Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, dollop with whipped cream, or enjoy a scoop over pancakes or waffles for a cozy breakfast twist.
Easy Apple Crisp Ingredients Notes
Apples – The recipe uses Granny Smith apples for their firmness and tartness, which balance the sweet topping. Other good baking apples include Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.
Oats – Rolled oats give the topping a hearty texture. If you use quick oats, you may want to reduce the butter slightly so the topping doesn’t become too soft.
Sugars – This crisp calls for both white and light brown sugar. You can substitute reduced-calorie blends that mix a natural sweetener with sugar to lower calories, if desired.
Spice – Ground cinnamon is a classic pairing with apples. Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin spice for extra warmth.
See the ingredient list below for exact measurements.
Ingredients
For the apples
- 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced (about 6–8 slices per apple)
- 1 cup white sugar (or ½ cup reduced-calorie sugar blend)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the topping
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups light brown sugar (or 1 cup reduced-calorie brown sugar blend)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 sticks butter, melted (about 1 cup)
How To Make Easy Apple Crisp
- Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into thick slices. Place them in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toss with sugar and spice: Combine the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt. Pour this mixture over the apple slices and toss until evenly coated.
- Make the topping: In a bowl mix the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbly.
- Assemble: Spread the oat topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
- Bake: Bake for 45–60 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown and bubbling.
- Rest and serve: Let the crisp cool for about 15 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel if desired.
Variations, Substitutions, & Cooking Tips
Add nuts: Fold in toasted pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch and a toasty flavor.
Try different spices: Along with or instead of cinnamon, try nutmeg, ginger, or a pinch of cloves for depth.
Mix fruit: Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries with the apples, or swap some apples for pears for a milder sweetness.
Adjust texture: For a crumblier topping reduce the butter a bit; for a chewier topping use slightly more butter or a little honey or maple syrup mixed in.
Serving ideas: Warm apple crisp is excellent with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a spoonful of crème fraîche.
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The topping may soften over time.
Freezing: You can freeze portions in a freezer-safe container for up to one month; note the topping texture may change slightly when thawed.
Reheating: Reheat in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through to restore some crispness. For single servings, microwave in 30–45 second bursts until warm.
Nutrition & Notes
This recipe can be made with regular sugar or reduced-calorie sugar blends to lower calories. Nutrition values will vary depending on the ingredients and portion size. If you prefer a lighter version, reduce the brown sugar or swap half the butter for applesauce, keeping in mind the topping texture will change.
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