The BEST Classic Apple Crisp Recipe (Steps + Video) | How To Cook.Recipes (2024)

Apple crisp is one of those desserts that leaves your house smelling like apples, cinnamon, and sugar but without the hassle of making a pie. You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to treat your family either. It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser though so anytime you have company coming, make this apple crisp recipe. Or do what I do and surprise your husband and kids!

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Best Apple Crisp Recipe

The best apple crisp recipe keeps it simple with fresh ingredients and pantry staples to turn out an epic dessert that everyone gobbles up. Don’t forget vanilla ice cream to top it off with!

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Homemade Apple Crisp Ingredients

  • Apples – Granny Smooth apples are the best for an apple crisp! …and one of the best apples for baking in general
  • Old fashioned oats – This is for your apple crisp topping and a staple for any apple crisp recipe with oats.
  • All-purpose flour and baking powder – The other essentials to make your topping.
  • Unsalted butter – You want to dice it into cubes to make the topping the right way.
  • Cinnamon – It’s the flavor every apple crisp with oats needs.
  • Sugar – you’ll need both dark brown and light brown sugars in this recipe.
  • Lemon juice – Keeps your apples from turning brown and ugly.
  • Vanilla extract – For the perfect way contrast of sweetness.

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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Apple crisp only looks like it has a lot of ingredients for the topping and filling. Much of it is the same stuff, so make sure you measure it first and it will keep you from feeling bogged down. In just 30 minutes, you can have this prepped and ready to bake.

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How do you Make Apple Crisp from Scratch

You’ll preheat your oven and make the topping in a small bowl with the dry ingredients first. Then you’ll add the butter and mix it with your fingers until it makes a crumbly texture. Chill it while you make the filling. When the filling is ready, you’ll pour it over the apples and then pour all that into your greased baking dish. Then you’ll add the topping in an even layer. Bake for about 35 minutes and let it cool just a little before serving it.

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Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Apple Crisp Every Time

  • Choose good apples for baking. Granny Smith are among the best but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagold will also work well as cooking apples.
  • No time to deal with peeling apples? You can use canned pie filling though it won’t be quite as good.
  • You can make this apple crisp with oatmeal gluten free by replacing the flour and baking powder with gluten-free versions. Also, make sure to buy gluten-free oats.

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What apples are best for apple crisp?

Granny Smith apples are the best apples for apple crisp, and for baking, period. But if you can’t find those, Braeburn, Jonagold, or Honeycrisp will also work nicely.

Are gala apples good for apple crisp?

While I recommend Granny Smith apples for this recipe, if you have gala apples, you’ll have a nice taste too. The texture will be a bit different though as they are not the crispiest.

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Life was easier when apple and blackberry were just fruits.
Anonymous

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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!

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Why is my apple crisp watery?

You need to use flour and baking powder to help turn the juices from the apples into a thickened sauce. By following this recipe, you’ll avoid having a runny apple crisp.

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What is the difference between apple crisp and apple brown betty?

These two desserts are very much alike. But the difference is in that an apple crisp contains oats in the topping while an apple brown betty does not.

What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

It’s not just a difference in wording. With an apple crumble recipe, it uses a streusel-like topping of sugar, flour, and butter rather than one with oats.

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How Long to Bake Apple Crisp

Apple crisp recipe with oats and melted butter should bake for 35 minutes at 375F. It should be bubbly and the apples should be fork-tender.

Should you cover apple crisp when baking?

No, you shouldn’t need to cover your apple crisp as it bakes. But if you check on it and the apples aren’t quite tender but the top is getting too brown, you can cover it to prevent it from burning while the apples catch up.

How do you keep apple crisp topping crispy?

For an apple crisp recipe with oatmeal, the key is to refrigerate that topping after your prep it with the butter. Once everything else has been assembled, you can add the topping.

How do you know if Apple Crisp is done?

The fruit filling will be bubbly and topping will be brown and crisp when your apple crisp is done.

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Why is my apple crisp dry?

If your apple crisp is dry, you didn’t use enough butter. Make sure to follow this apple crisp recipe to ensure you’ve got the proper measurements.

How do you keep apple crisp from getting soggy?

If it’s soggy, you’ve got to remember to refrigerate the topping with butter before you add it to the crisp. It doesn’t need long, just enough time as you prepare the rest of the dessert so that it will cook up crispy rather than turn soggy.

What to Serve with Apple Crisp

Vanilla ice cream is my family’s favorite way to have apple crisp. I also love using hot caramel sauce on top. Whipped cream is another way to do it. And if you really want to indulge, use all three!

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How to Store Apple Crisp

You’ll want to cover your apple crisp well and put it in the fridge once everyone is full. This will keep it fresh.

Does Apple Crisp need to be refrigerated?

Yes, it does. While you should let it cool slightly before serving (no more than 10 minutes), after everyone is finished enjoying it, wrap it up and put it away.

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How Long Does Apple Crisp Last?

In the fridge, apple crisp with oat topping will last for about a week. I wouldn’t know though since we’ve never had any stick around longer than 3 days.

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Can You Freeze Apple Crisp?

Believe it or not, you can freeze apple crisp. It’s your choice to do so either before or after you bake it. It will last about 2 to 3 months.

How to Reheat Apple Crisp?

Let your apple crisp thaw in the fridge the night before. Then heat it in the oven on a low temperature until it’s warm.

Watch How To Make Apple Crisp (Video)

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Print Pin

Classic Apple Crisp Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 340

This easy old fashioned Apple Crisp recipe is is the perfect fall holiday desert! My family LOVES this recipe and begs me to make it every season. The sweetness from the apples and sugar balanced with the crispy buttery oats is absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (diced into cubes)

Apple Crisp Filling

  • 2 lbs Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and sliced about 1/8-inch)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375F and grease an 8x8 baking pan. First, make the topping. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

  • Then, add in the diced butters and using your fingers, mix the butter in until becomes crumbly. Chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling. In another mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and flour, then add in the water, lemon juice, and vanilla. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt. Pour the butter mixture over the apples, tossing to evenly coat. Once evenly coated, pour the apple mixture into a prepared baking dish, spreading in an even layer. Sprinkle the topping in an even layer over the apples.

  • Bake at 375F for about 35 minutes or until the apples are fork tender. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Calories: 340kcal

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 182mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 592IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

More apple crisp recipes:

The BEST Classic Apple Crisp Recipe (Steps + Video) | How To Cook.Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put lemon juice over the apples when making an apple crisp? ›

The lemon juice will keep the apples from turning brown. Set your prepared apple crisp aside on the counter until ready to bake. Put the apple crisp in the oven to bake just as you are serving dinner. And by the time dinner is over, this warm syrupy dessert will be ready.

What are the best apples to use for 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.

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.

Should you refrigerate apple crisp before baking? ›

You can prepare the crisp through step 3, then cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked crisp for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then continue with step 4. Bake time will be a little longer since the crisp will be cold.

Why isn't my apple crisp 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!

Can I substitute vinegar for lemon juice in apple crisp? ›

Due to its tartness and acidity, vinegar is an excellent substitute. However, only substitute vinegar for lemon juice in cooking or baking when the amount called for is relatively small so it won't impact the flavor of your finished dish.

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

Which apples are the most crisp? ›

What Are The Crunchiest Apples?
  • Crisp Apples Ranked: Crunchiest to Least Crunchy.
  • SweeTango. ...
  • Honeycrisp. ...
  • Cosmic Crisp® ...
  • Pink Lady® ...
  • Rave® ...
  • Pinata® ...
  • Granny Smith.

What four apples are best used for baking? ›

Which apples bake best? For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What is the secret to good crumble? ›

❓FAQ
  • Use cold butter. This will help to create a crumbly texture that will not stick together when baking.
  • Use a mix of flour and oats. The oats will add a bit of crunch and texture to the topping.
  • Don't overmix the ingredients. The crumble topping should be made with a "coarse" crumb.
Jun 5, 2023

How can you tell 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 it called Brown Betty? ›

This has led some historians to believe that Betty was the name of the cook and creator of the recipe and that brown was in reference to her skin color.

Why is my apple crisp too dry? ›

But if you feel your topping is still too dry and crumbly, (even for a crumble) add a bit more melted butter, a tablespoon at a time. If you think it's too wet, add a little more flour to soak up the extra butter.

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

We prefer to prep the apples when we make the crisp, but you can prep them ahead of time. Peel and slice the apples and toss them with lemon juice, then pack tightly in freezer bags and refrigerate for up to one day.

How do you keep apple crisp from getting soggy? ›

To avoid the crispy topping of the apple crisp from getting soggy always keep it covered with aluminum foil or cover of the baking dish.

Why do you put lemon juice on apples? ›

The longer the enzyme is exposed, the browner each slice will become. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which is a natural anti-oxidant. Therefore, when you apply lemon juice to apple slices, it helps to prevent the oxidation process.

Can I skip lemon juice in apple pie? ›

This is a tip that has been given to me many times by chefs (mostly by chefs who also teach) and it is definitely true when you compare a browner, richer-looking pie filling to a very pale one. There is no need to add lemon juice to prevent discoloration when baking with apples.

What makes apples so crispy? ›

Unripe or overripe apples may have a soft or mealy texture. When an apple is mature, its cells are fully developed and filled with moisture, contributing to its crisp texture. This ideal moisture level is best achieved with refrigeration to extend the apple's crunchy texture.

How to keep apple crisp from getting watery? ›

The best way to prevent a watery apple crisp is to use a thickener in the filling – some recipes use flour, but I've chosen to use cornstarch in this recipe (or arrowroot starch, which can be substituted 1:1 for cornstarch) because I think it provides superior thickening power.

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