Best Apple Crisp Recipe

This the best apple crisp recipe because it has a crispy oat topping and a delicious filling with the cozy, comforting flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. It comes together in minutes and bakes for about an hour.

A 9x13 pan of apple crisp with a gold spoon in it is on the left. A serving of apple crisp with a scoop of ice cream is on the right, with two spoons and three apples above it.

I have to tell you that apple desserts in general are my favorite—followed closely any chocolate dessert—and a homemade apple crisp with a crispy oat topping will win my affection every time.

There's some thing so comforting about this recipe. How can you resist those soft, cinnamon-infused apples with crisp, sugary crumbles on top?

You don't have to agree with me, but I think this is THE best apple crisp recipe. It's so simple, made with just a handful of pantry ingredients. And it's easy to put together with quick prep, you just need a couple of bowls.

Jump to:

How to make apple crisp with oats
Ingredients for the best apple crisp recipe
Best apples for apple crisp
Apple crisp topping
Tips & ingredient swaps for the best apple crisp recipe
FAQ
Storage, make-ahead, and reheating
More apple dessert recipes
The best apple crisp recipe is simple, easy to make, and full of old-fashioned flavors!
Recipe

How to make apple crisp with oats

A glass bowl of oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt.

Step 1: Make the topping

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine the flour, old-fashioned oats, salt, regular sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.

A pastry blender in a bowl shown working butter into dry ingredients for apple crisp topping.

Cut cold butter into small cubes and add to the oat mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until fully combined and you have a sandy texture.

A woman's hand with crumbles of apple crisp topping, over a bowl full of topping.

Squeeze the topping in your hands and form chunks of various sizes. Place the bowl in the freezer while you prepare the apples.

A bowl of cubed apples tossed in brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Step 2: How to cut apples for apple crisp

You can cut apples for apple crisp however you like, as long as they are about the same size so they cook evenly. You can do sliced apples, wedges, or cubes.

For this recipe, I peel the apples and cut them into ¼-inch cubes because this is the texture that I prefer.

Step 3: Make the apple filling

Place the cut apples in a large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Transfer the apple filling to a 9x13 baking dish.

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Apple crisp with oat topping in a 9x13 pan ready to be baked.

Step 4: Add the oatmeal topping and bake

Remove the apple crisp topping from the freezer and spread evenly over apples in the 9x13 baking dish.

Bake for 55-65 minutes until the topping is crisp and golden brown, and the apples are bubbling. Allow the baked apple crisp to cool for about 15 minutes.

A serving of apple crisp with a scoop of ice cream in a cast iron server. Three gold spoons and two apples are in the upper section, a red and white striped towel is in the bottom left corner.

Serve warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce, or just enjoy it on it's own!

Three apples, a lemon, and small glass bowls of flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, butter, and salt.

Ingredients for the best apple crisp recipe

Apples: I used Honeycrisp apples for this recipe because I like their sweet flavor and they hold up well when baked. See below for more tips about the best kinds of apples to use for apple crisp.
Brown sugar and granulated sugar: We'll use brown sugar in both the apple filling and the oat topping. The granulated sugar is added only to the topping, to make it even more crisp.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: Can you even have a baked apple dessert without cinnamon? I don't think so, nutmeg also adds a hint of festive flavors.
Old fashioned oats, flour, butter, salt: These are the key ingredients in apple crisp topping. Don't sleep on the salt. It really balances out the sweet flavors.
Lemon juice: This will help the apples keep their shape and add a bit of tartness.

Best apples for apple crisp

The best apples for an apple crisp recipe are those that are well-suited to baking, and they can run the gamut from tart to sweet. Choose just one variety or mix up one or two for added texture and flavor.

Honeycrisp: Sweet and firm.
Granny Smith: For a flavor that is more tart.
Fuji: Sweet and juicy.
Golden Delicious: Sweet and crisp, with a softer texture.
McIntosh: Not too tart, not too sweet.

Apple crisp topping

Apple crisp topping can be made with or without oats. I like the texture of oats, so I've included them in this recipe. If you leave out the oats you'll have more of a crumble topping which is just fine.

Do what you like best, but you MUST use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats. You can also add spices like cinnamon and ginger to the topping. I'm a purist and just want the texture of the oats and crisp brown sugar/butter situation.

Tips & ingredient swaps for the best apple crisp recipe

If you have time, pop the cubed butter into the freezer for 5-10 minutes before you add it to the dry ingredients. This will keep it from getting too soft as you're mixing, and make it easier to form those big, crisp boulders of topping.
For a thicker filling, add 2 tablespoons of flour or corn starch to the apple mixture along with the lemon juice and spices.
You MUST use old-fashioned oats. Quick oats will get mushy and you won't have the crunchy topping that we want.
To make this apple crisp gluten-free, substitute almond flour for the all-purpose flour 1:1.
You can add other spices to both the apple filling and to the crisp topping. Try cardamom, ginger, allspice, etc.
Try mixing some chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping for added crunch.

FAQ

Does apple crisp need to be refrigerated?

Apple crisp does not need to be refrigerated if you'll eat it within 2 days of making it. It can be loosely covered with foil and stored at room temperature, the same way you would store a fruit pie. After 2 days, you'll need to transfer it to an airtight container in the refrigerator where it should keep for a couple more days.

Can you freeze apple crisp?

You can freeze a baked apple crisp. Once the crisp cools, leave it in the same 9x13 pan and cover it tightly with foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a 300 degree oven until the apples are bubbling and the top is crisp. Keep in mind that the texture of the apples might change once frozen and reheated.

How long do you cook apple crisp?

Apple crisp has quite a long cooking time, just like apple pie. It will take about an hour, give or take 5 minutes.

Do you need to peel apples for apple crisp?

This is a personal choice, if you like the texture of the peel, then leave them on, if not, peel them! You could also peel half of them, and leave the skin on half of them if you want just a little texture.

Storage, make-ahead, and reheating

Store: Keep apple crisp lightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, then transfer to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 more days.
Make ahead: You can make the apple crisp topping ahead and keep it in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze it for up to one month.
Reheat: For best results reheat apple crisp in the oven at a low temperature until heated through. This will keep the top crispy without getting too brown. (The microwave works in a pinch!)

More apple dessert recipes

Although this easy apple crisp might be the best, apple desserts in general are some of my most favorite recipes to make (and eat!) EVER. Maybe you'll like these:

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake is made in a cast iron skillet and flips out perfectly every time!
Gluten Free Apple Cake is made with ricotta and cornmeal, and is loosely based on a type of Ukranian cheesecake.
Apple Galette is a classic French dessert and this crust is so flaky it will absolutely blow your mind!
German Apple Cake is simple and beautiful, flavored with lemon and vanilla.

The best apple crisp recipe is simple, easy to make, and full of old-fashioned flavors!

Just 10 ingredients that you probably already have in the pantry.
You only need two mixing bowls and a 9x13 pan.
Use your favorite baking apple, or a mix of a few kinds!
The apple crisp streusel topping can be made ahead.
Nutmeg and cinnamon in the recipe give you the best warm and cozy feeling!

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