This Apple Crisp recipe will have you wondering if you’ll even want to eat an apple pie ever again.
Like most Midwesterners, fall is basically one long holiday for me and an excuse to eat lots of desserts while hiding any caloric bulk I gain under a chunky cardigan. And while I enjoy a warm slice of apple pie as much as the next guy, apple crisp is my personal fave. In fact, it’s one of my top desserts to make—and eat—when the temp drops. Sure, it’s delicious. More importantly? It’s easy to make.
Unlike pies that typically require a crust, apple crisp does not. Apple crisp essentially delivers the same comforting flavors as a pie, but with a fraction of the effort. When is that not a good thing? Of course, none of this matters if you don’t like how it tastes, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this—you’re going to love this recipe.
Apple crisp has a gentle balance of sweet and tart, particularly if you’re using Granny Smith apples, which I recommend. They have a puckering tartness that contrasts really well with the brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Top the warm crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect combination of flavors and textures!
Is this Apple Crisp Recipe Healthy?
With the apples, you’re getting some fiber and vitamin C. Also, oats are a decent source of protein. Apple crisp can be a relatively healthy dessert, especially when compared to more indulgent treats. However, there are ways to make this dessert even healthier, like trading the all-purpose flour for whole wheat or using coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. This recipe can even be vegan-friendly. Just substitute the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
Finding the Right Apple
There’s really no wrong apple for this recipe, but I’d argue that the best apple crisps are the ones that are both sweet and tart. Like I said before, Granny Smith apples are a great pick. They are tart, almost sour. That said, both Honeycrisp and Fuji apples also work wonderfully; they’re sweeter but still provide enough tartness to balance the flavor. Choosing the right apple variety is key to achieving the perfect balance of sweet and tart in your apple crisp.
How to make ahead and store
Apple crisp is the perfect dessert to make ahead. It should last in your fridge for up to 5 days. Simply cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. While it tastes good cold, feel free to reheat it in your oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.
This apple crisp can be frozen, too. Assemble the crisp as directed, then cover it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. However, let it thaw before baking. A night in the fridge is usually enough time. I’d also add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time just to make sure it’s heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your apple crisp warm, straight from the oven, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream! I especially like drizzling chocolate syrup or Homemade Caramel Sauce on top. A cup of tea or coffee is a definite must as well, and if you’re feeling fancy, whip up some Espresso Martinis for your guests—or just for yourself.
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- Optional: vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix the sliced apples with granulated sugar and cinnamon until well coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Evenly sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly. Serve warm with an optional scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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