The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (2024)

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byAshlyn Edwards on Oct 4, 2019 (updated Sep 16, 2022) 389 comments »

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4.97 from 942 ratings

This Apple Crisp recipe is the best fall dessert! Fresh sliced apples are topped with a buttery cinnamon oat topping that tastes divine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

For more delicious Fall Recipes, be sure to check out my Crockpot Pumpkin Dump Cake, Southern Sweet Potato Pie, and The Best Chocolate Pecan Pie.

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (1)

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This Apple Crisp Recipe was the first thing on my mind when my family took a little trip to a local apple orchard this past weekend. It wasn’t really the best day to go; it was drizzling, and the temps were in the 50s.

But our kids still had a good time, especially since it was their first time going apple picking. Plus, we came home with a “peck” of apples to put to good use!

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (2)

While there are lots of great recipes for apples that we could have made, apple crisp is always my favorite.

We were lucky enough to pick my favorite kind of apples, Honeycrisp. Their sweet yet tart nature and sturdy composition make an irresistible dessert and the perfect choice for this apple crisp recipe!

Ingredients for The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

  • fresh apples
  • granulated white sugar
  • cinnamon
  • vanilla extract
  • all purpose flour
  • old fashioned oats
  • brown sugar
  • salt
  • butter

How to Make Homemade Apple Crisp – Step by Step

Step 1: Preheat oven

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a baking dish with butter. Grab a large bowl and combine about 5 cups of sliced apples (this comes to about 2 pounds of apples, or 4 large ones) with some granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (3)

Step 2: Add to baking dish

Pour that yummy goodness into your baking dish. Next make the topping by combiningflour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Pour in some melted butter and stir until well coated and crumbly (I usually put my hands in there to get it mixed up well). Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples.

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (4)

Step 3: Bake

Now pop that dish into your waiting oven for 45-60 minutes, and get ready for heavenly smells to start floating your way! I cook mine until my apples are soft and tender. Once it’s done baking, allow it to cool slightly then serve. It tastes amazing warm with some vanilla ice cream on top!

FAQs

What kind of apples work best for Apple Crisp?

This kind of comes down to preference, or what you have available, but generally you’re going to want a variety of apple that will hold its shape after baking and not turn to total mush. We had a huge bag of Honeycrisp apples (my personal favorite) to use up, so that’s what I used. Granny Smith are usually considered the best apples for apple pie, but Golden Delicious, Braeburn, and Pink Lady apples would all work well for this apple crisp recipe, or for a pie.

Do I need to peel the apples?

My short answer for this is no! But that’s because I don’t like to do more work than I have to, and I don’t mind apple peels, especially once they’re baked. If you would prefer your apple crisp without the peel, though, feel free to remove them!

Does apple crisp need to be refrigerated?

You can store your prepared and baked apple crisp covered tightly on the counter top for up to three days. You do not need to refrigerate it unless you would like to. Due to its crisp, crumbly topping, apple crisp tastes best when served the same day, as the topping can get soggy the longer it sits. Just keep that in mind!

Can you freeze apple crisp?

Yes! Prepare the apple crisp recipe as directed and allow it to cool completely. Cover with both plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 4 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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More Tips and Notes for the Best Apple Crisp Recipe

  • Slice your apples evenly. I slice my apples using this slicer to speed up the process and remove the core easily. I then slice the apples one more time each with my knife so that the widest part of the slice is roughly 1/2 an inch wide. You can also chop them into big chunks if you would prefer, but just make sure that you chop your apples to a uniform size to ensure even baking in your apple crisp.
  • Prevent over-browning. If your topping is starting to get too brown but your apples still need more time to cook, simply place some aluminum foil loosely over the top of your pan and continue baking.
  • Optional additions: Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition to the topping! I didn’t add any to ours because my son has a nut allergy.
  • Serving: this apple crisp tastes AMAZING with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! You could also top it with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Yum!

More Awesome Apple recipes

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (6)

4.97 from 942 ratings

Recipe: The Best Apple Crisp

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

This Apple Crisp recipe is the best fall dessert ever! Fresh sliced apples are topped with a buttery cinnamon oat topping that tastes divine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

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Ingredients

Filling:

  • 5 cups fresh apples, sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a deep dish pie plate or large baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.

  • Combine the sliced apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a large bowl and mix until all of the apples are evenly coated. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

  • In a separate medium size bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and stir until well coated and crumbly. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes until fruit is soft and the topping is golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream on top. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Slice your apples evenly. I slice my apples using this slicer to speed up the process and remove the core easily. I then slice the apples one more time each with my knife so that the widest part of the slice is roughly 1/2 an inch wide. You can also chop them into big chunks if you would prefer, but just make sure that you chop your apples to a uniform size to ensure even baking in your apple crisp.
  • Prevent over-browning. If your topping is starting to get too brown but your apples still need more time to cook, simply place some aluminum foil loosely over the top of your pan and continue baking.
  • Optional additions: Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition to the topping! I didn’t add any to ours because my son has a nut allergy.
  • Serving: this apple crisp tastes AMAZING with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! You could also top it with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Yum!

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Ashlyn Edwards | Belle of the Kitchen

Calories: 253kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 130mg, Potassium: 129mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 219IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @TheBelleoftheKitchen on Instagram or tag #BelleoftheKitchen.

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Dessert Fall Fruit Holidays

originally published on Oct 4, 2019 (last updated Sep 16, 2022)

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389 comments on “The Best Apple Crisp Recipe”

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  1. Kristi B Reply

    Great recipe. I love how crispy the topping came out. When I make it again I will reduce the white sugar by a little. It was a tad too sweet for my tastes.

  2. Ivana Reply

    I love this recipe. The only thing I do differently is I put apples on the top. It is juicier this way.

  3. Laura Reply

    We love this apple crisp! I make double the topping 🙂 so good!

  4. Ann Reply

    I made it last night. To be honest, I’ve never made an Apple Crisp before, so I have nothing to compare it too. All I have to say was it was delicious, and everyone loved it. My family asked me to make it again. Thank you for the recipe!

  5. Jessy Reply

    Is it 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup butter? Kinda confused by the instructions

    • Ashlyn Edwards Reply

      Hi, it’s 1/4 cup of butter which is the same as 1/2 of a stick.

  6. Lillian N Reply

    Best Apple Crisp I have ever ever made. I thought I had saved and realized I hadn’t. Almost full on terror thinking I wouldn’t find again!

  7. Cheryl Reply

    Yumlicious!! I made up a new word to describe how yummy and delicious this recipe is! Served warm with vanilla ice cream is the best.

  8. Amber Reply

    I’ve made this many times! Such a hit. Only thing different I do is add lemon juice to the apples at the beginning

  9. Brittany Sage Reply

    Will update.

    Started this but ended up cutting too many apples so I tripled the recipe. I did blend together the topping and apples and then did another set of topping for the top. Kind of nervous. Lol. Will update in about an hour or so.

  10. Marjory Knothe Reply

    Best apple crisp recipe I’ve ever made. I followed ingredient list and baking instructions exactly as written.

  11. Melissa Hanks-Parris Reply

    This is so very good! I always add more cinnamon because I love it but I love the vanilla in the apples and the topping is crunchy as long as you bake it long enough! Definitely delicious and worth making! Thank you!

  12. Susan Chandler Reply

    I have made this 3 times in the last week and a half

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best apples for an apple crisp? ›

What Makes A Good Apple For Apple Crisp? The best apples for baking keep their structure under heat, which prevents the chunks of fruit from turning into mush after baking. The firm and crisp Granny Smith and Honeycrisp varieties are popular apples to use in apple pies and apple crisps.

How to make apple crisp not watery? ›

Lemon juice and vanilla extract – both of these are for complexity of flavor in your apple filling. You could leave them out if you don't have them, but they make a noticeable difference in the final product. Cornstarch or arrowroot starch – this is how we get a thick and not watery apple crisp!

How do you keep apples from getting mushy in apple crisp? ›

How do you keep Apple crisp from getting soggy? You need enough butter in your topping, try both melted or cold cut into the dry ingredients. Also, there needs to be enough texture to keep it from just flattening into the fruit below.

What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble? ›

Like an apple crisp, an apple crumble is a baked fruit dessert with a layer of topping. But unlike the crisp, the crumble topping rarely includes oats or nuts. Instead, a crumble's topping is more like streusel, made with flour, sugar and butter.

Does apple crisp need to be covered when baking? ›

Baking: Start baking the apple crisp covered with foil. This allows the apples to soften without any risk of the topping over-browning. After about 20 minutes, remove the foil and let the crisp finish cooking uncovered. Once the juices are bubbling, the topping is golden brown, and the apples are tender, it is done!

Which apples are the sweetest and crisp? ›

Fuji. Due to their low acidity, these ultra-sweet, crispy and juicy apples are a go-to choice for snacking and baking, as well as homemade baby food or apple butters.

Why didn't my apple crisp get crispy? ›

Why is Apple Crisp not crispy? Don't forget to evenly distribute the butter with the topping. That melted butter helps crisp everything up on top for the perfect texture and flavor!

How do I know when apple crisp is done? ›

Bake the apple crisp until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crisp, about 45 minutes. Serve the crisps warm with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream, if desired.

Why is my apple crumble not crunchy? ›

The main reason your crumble topping isn't crunchy is probably because you haven't used Demerara sugar. Although, it could also be that you've got your topping ingredient quantities wrong: either too much or not enough flour and butter alongside the sugar.

Can I cut apples the night before for apple crisp? ›

I prefer slicing the apples the day I plan to bake the crisp as they start to oxidize once they're sliced and turn brown in color. Add a little extra fresh lemon juice to help prevent the apples from turning super brown. Prepare the entire apple crisp, cover well, and refrigerate the night before baking.

How many apples are 10 cups? ›

According to this equivalent list, 10 cups of sliced apples requires 10 medium apples. To be on the safe side, buy one additional apple. You don't want to run short—after all, it's always better to have too many ingredients than too few!

How do you thicken apple crisp filling? ›

Adding cornstarch and flour to the apple mixture will help bring your crisp's filling together. You want to make sure you have a nice balance of the sweet and tart in your dessert.

What are the best apples for baking apple crumble? ›

Best Apple Crumble Recipe Tips

For this recipe, you'll need excellent baking apples. They should have a firm texture and hold their shape when cooked. Some of my favorite types of apples for baking include Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith apples. Choose just one, or use a mix!

What's the difference between brown betty and apple crisp? ›

Both are very similar apple desserts, but the difference mainly comes down to the crumble topping: Instead of the flour and oat mixture used in an apple crisp, an apple brown betty uses breadcrumbs for its crumbly, delicious topping.

Why is it called Brown Betty? ›

It is believed that "brown" wasn't referring to the dish, but to the cook herself, who may have been of mixed racial background. During colonial times it was common to name desserts after people, and there is further speculation that this Betty might have been a slave.

What are the three best apples for apple pie? ›

The best apples for making apple pie
  • Braeburn. This apple is a descendant of Granny Smith, but slightly sweeter. ...
  • Cortland. ...
  • Crispin (Mutsu). ...
  • Golden Delicious. ...
  • Granny Smith. ...
  • Honeycrisp. ...
  • Jonagold or Jonathan. ...
  • Northern Spy.
Oct 8, 2021

Are Gala apples good for baking apple crisp? ›

Gala apples are my favorite variety for this recipe – I like their sweet/tart flavor and firm texture. But if you have a favorite baking apple, feel free to use it here. Granny smith apples, Honeycrisps, Jonagolds, or a mix would all be excellent.

Which apples are Crispier Fuji or Gala? ›

Texture & Use in Recipes: In terms of texture, Fuji apples are also a lot crisper, and less dense than Gala apples. So, they result in a firm bite with juicy flesh while Galas are softer and creamier. Their texture also means that Fujis are better for baking as they hold their shape better than Galas when cooked!

Are honeycrisp apples good for baking? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

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