Easy Apple Crisp
This Easy Apple Crisp has been in my repertoire for decades. It’s a simple recipe made of apples tossed in spiced sugar with a crumbly streusel topping, it’s a family favorite.
I’ve made this same Apple Crisp Recipe for years and years. Then I started playing around with different fruit and it’s wonderful with peaches or even a mixture of berries! Just remember to serve this tasty Apple Dessert with a scoop of ice cream!
Why You Should Make
- It’s a tried and true recipe that’s been around for decades.
- The ingredients are all kitchen staples, except you may need to pick up some good baking apples.
- No oats in the crisp topping if your husband is like mine and only wants oatmeal for breakfast.
- It’s both comforting (especially served warm with vanilla ice cream) and super easy.
- This will become your autumn go-to dessert for family dinners and company!
This apple crisp recipe came from my mom’s dear friend, Dee McConnell. Dee was one of the gourmet influences in my mother’s life. She was the friend who subscribed to Bon Appetit back in the ’70s and always has something marvelous to share whether via their CFM reunions, bridge club or ladies luncheons.
My mom’s recipe box was full of cards in her friends’ scroll, including this family favorite, an easy apple crisp without oats. Dee’s other memorable contributions to our family’s menu included egg rolls and wontons and the strawberry pie dessert she wowed us with at my bridal shower.
Ingredient Notes
- Baking Apples – A variety gives a better depth of flavor. I used Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Honey Crisp apples. Peel, core, and slice about ¼-⅓-inches wide.
- Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Grated Nutmeg – Grate your own or use a pinch of ground nutmeg.
- Flour – All-purpose
- Brown Sugar – Gives caramel undertones to the topping
- Butter – Helps hold the crumble topping together, plus provides delicious flavor.
How to Make an Apple Crisp
- Peel and slice the apples.
- Add sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and toss to combine.
- Place in greased baking dish.
- Make crumb topping, spread over apples, and bake as directed.
Expert Tips
Fruit crisps, like this Easy Apple Crisp, are super simple and can be made with a variety of seasonal fruits like cherries, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, and, of course, apples. The toppings can also vary, but since my husband only likes his oats for breakfast, I tend to make a simple crumble topping.
- The fruit you use will determine whether an additional thickening agent, like cornstarch, is needed. In this crisp, the apples produce pectin which helps gel the juices, plus some of the flour in the topping will filter down and also act as a thickener.
- The fruit must reach a temperature where it’s bubbling to enable the juices to thicken. If your crisp is watery, it may have been removed from the oven too soon.
- PRO-Tip: When making an apple crisp, use a knife to poke into the fruit to make sure it’s tender before pulling it out of the oven.
- PRO-Tip: Use a variety of apples for the best flavor, usually a tart apple, like a granny smith, and a sweeter softer apple like a Jonagold. In the fall, I love to use popular pie apples like Jonathan and Macintosh as well.
- Peel and slice the apples into 1/2-inch slices. You can certainly leave the peels on and even cube the fruit instead of slicing. But keeping the pieces a decent size will prevent a mushy crisp.
- Add your favorite spices. Think of what you’d add to a pie made with the same fruit. I like using cinnamon and nutmeg in my apple crisp.
- My Apple Crisp Topping is simply sugar, flour, and butter. Oats and nuts can also be included depending on your preference.
- Let your crisp rest for about a half-hour before digging in. The juices will gel, but the crisp will still be warm. Serve your Apple Crumble Recipe with a big scoop of vanilla (or any complementary flavor, like caramel) ice cream.
- PRO-Tip: If you want a gluten-free apple crisp, just substitute a gluten-free flour like Cup4Cup for the all-purpose flour in the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Look for baking apples like Jonathan, Jonagold, Winesap, Granny Smith or Cortland. If you’re lucky enough to live in Minnesota, Michigan, or New York, try Northern Spys, my absolute favorite pie apple.
Using a combination of apples gives a variety of textures and flavors. Apples that bake up mushy are better suited for apple sauce than apple crisp or pie, so avoid those. Pair some sweet apples with tart apples for an exquisite depth of flavor.
An apple crisp can keep at room temperature on the day it is baked. Unfortunately, the apple crisp topping may start to absorb some liquid from the apples after the first day and this will hasten its spoiling.
Make sure to cover the part of the crisp where servings have been removed with plastic wrap, not over the crisp topping. This will minimize the softening of the remaining crumble. It will keep 2-3 more days in the refrigerator. Gently rewarm in the microwave to serve, if desired.
You May Also Like:
- Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix from Sugar Yums
- Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
- Apple Brownies
- Apple Pear Crisp
- How to Make an Apple Rose Tart
- French Apple Tart with Puff Pastry
- More Dessert Recipes
Classic Apple Crisp
An Easy, Classic Apple Crisp with a streusel topping
Ingredients
Filling
- 6-8 sliced and peeled apples (I use two or 3 different varieties)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½-1 teaspoon cinnamon
- A few grates of fresh nutmeg, optional
Topping:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter, at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Gently mix the sliced apples with sugar and spices. Put in a greased 9 x 9-inch baking pan or equivalent casserole dish.
- In another bowl, cut together the topping ingredients with a pastry blender. Sprinkle over fruit.
- Bake 35-45 minutes till the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly. Poke a sharp knife into several apples to make sure they're soft. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or salted caramel gelato.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 417Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 69gFiber: 2gSugar: 51gProtein: 2g
Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.
62 Comments on “Easy Apple Crisp”
yes such a tried and true recipe this one. and delicious.
We have a weakness for a good crumble topping and this apple crisp has us swooning. Now, I have to go make one as I won’t be able to sleep thinking about it. OMG! why do I read your delicious recipes late at night…? LOL
Not rating til it comes out! But seems easy enough!
Only issue I have is I don’t see what temperature oven should be set on for baking?
Yikes, sorry about that, Tracy. The recipe has been edited to bake at 350 degrees. Hope you enjoy!
Comfort food at it’s best and the scoop of ice-cream is a must. A dish of this while under my throw and an autumn candle burning is a recipe for a perfect day.
This looks fantastic! I will be enjoying this the entire fall season!
An apple crisp if the perfect fall treat. I would love this for both breakfast and dessert. Lovely!
🙂 ~Valentina
I loved seeing this one pop up on my news feed 🙂 today I stepped outside and it felt like fall for the first time this year–I could definitely cozy up with this crisp!
I love the idea of using different kinds of apples. That crumb topping is my favorite part!!
You can never go wrong with apple crisp! It’s always a favourite!
Yes, this is perfect for anytime…quick and easy and always welcomed…and I want mine with ice cream too…thanks for sharing the recipe Liz. Have a wonderful week!
You can’t go wrong with a classic apple crisp, and your recipe looks amazing, Liz!
This sounds great and like the perfect dessert for autumn.
Looks so yummy! Can’t wait to have one. Thanks for sharing this recipe
Oh how I love apple season just for goodies like this. I’m adding this to my apple roundup. You really know how to make a crispy crisp Liz.
I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t love this apple dessert! It’s so simple yet such a delicious, univerally popular dessert! Thanks for the great tips!
One of the best apple crisps I’ve ever made!
Your recipe is really amazing!! It was a huge hit at my house!
Such a great crisp recipe. Making it twice on the same week. Thanks for sharing.
Perfect classic fall dessert!
Perfect dessert to follow any of the above casseroles! I love recipes that are handwritten. That is a very rare thing to find nowadays! And remembering a dessert from your bridal shower? Memories like that are precious!
Love apple crisp! This one certainly looks delicious. Yours is the next apple recipe on my to-do list!
I love hearing stories like yours Liz! Though I’d probably eat this whole dish!
Liz, I’m so glad to have you back (and envy looking at your fun vacation pictures). I’m not a fan of apples; however I love this classic apple recipe, especially when they’re freshly baked and served with ice cream. How fancy!
Oh this looks delicious. I take it from the color of the ice cream you picked salted caramel. I love everything about this dish.
I love apple crisp, one of the happiest desserts in the world 😛
Delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
This apple crisp looks absolutely perfect, Liz! Love that it was from your mom’s dear friend and stayed in your family for decades. It sounds amazing!
One of my favorites! Yours looks delicious!
I’ve yet to bake any crisps or cobblers this season….but I love a classic apple crisp! This looks pretty amazing Liz…especially with the scoop of caramel gelato! : )
Lizzy,
I love all family recipes. Add no crust and crumbs – I’m in. Pinned.
Annamaria
What a wonderful classic dessert with an extra special twist topped with salted caramel gelato….yum!!
I love that you topped this with caramel ice cream. The perfect touch for a delicious apple crisp.
I think this casserole needs to grow legs and walk its way on over to my kitchen. Seriously, this is one good lookin’ crisp. Pinned.
Irresistable Liz! We could devour this through our computer screens if allowed! Welcome home!
xo
Roz
Very classy touch of the cinnamon stick on top, Liz. Your apple crisp does seem to sing comforting memories of friends, mom and super-duper deliciousness!
Hmm, that’s a lovely classic dessert! Bookmarked!
Apple crisp is probably my favorite comfort food dessert. It’s like a cuddle from your grandmother, isn’t it?
Yum! Thanks for the history behind this recipe Liz. It sounds lovely. Even though it’s summer here, I’d happily serve this apple dessert.
Mmmm, my hubby’s favorite dessert! Love it!
This is a perfect warm and yummy Sunday dessert!
My family loves apple crisp, we just can’t get enough of.
I have some apples in the fridge I need to use soon and I this is the recipe perfect for them. Now to get the gelato for the topping (which sounds wonderful on it).
I love all with apples Lizzy and this look amazing!
Apple crisps are my all-time favorites. Two of my grandsons are coming to visit in another month for a weekend of skiing, and they’d love this after dinner one of the evenings. Love.
I haven’t made a pure flour crisp in a long time, thanks for the great recipe.
Crisp for the supper…amazing!
A classic and beautiful dish, and always a winner around the dinner table.
This is an absolute favourite in our house too. Classic indeed! The recipe I use was one of the first things I learned to bake in my Home Economics class in the early 1970’s. The sheet is old and splattered now, still with the purple “spirit duplicator” ink printing!!!! Now you know how old I am :).
Those old family recipes are always the best or they wouldn’t have stood the test of time, Liz. Thank you for sharing this apple treasure with us! A true classic!
Hands down my favorite dessert! I’ve not made it in years though so I’m all over this gorgeous crisp! oxox
I never thought of apple crisp as a casserole – great idea! I love crisps and this one looks outstanding.
Welcome back, Liz. No one will ever make Apple Crisp like my Mom’s. At least in my mind. I have always tried (and, come close) but not quite. She got her apples at our local Manchester apple orchard. Remember those days? Dee’s version comes very close to looking like my Mom’s. I don’t know what my Mother would think of that gelato business. It was always plain vanilla at our house.
That sounds fab! Can’t go wrong with a classic dessert sometimes 🙂
Apple crisp is the BEST! I wish I had some apples in the fruit bowl…I’d make this for breakfast.
I love a classic apple crisp! I grew up in a region of Nova Scotia that is famous for its apples, so Rosie Beaucoup took advantage. She always served her crisp with a huge dollop of whipped cream. Aaaaaand now I’m hungry.
ahhhh thats so neat Liz!!! 🙂 What kind of ice cream did you put with it? It looks just perfect for such a classic dessert! 🙂
Sounds like a comforting way to deal with our cold temperatures. All I need is a fork and a blanket to make it a perfect day. 🙂
My favorite! WishI had a big piece of your amazing looking apple crisp RIGHT NOW!
Sounds good and a little leaner without the bottom crust:@)
PS-Go Pack!!!
This sounds like the perfect treat for a cold day! Definitely adding this to my arsenal.
I always do love a recipe with a history! Even though I’m terrible at using them properly, I love recipe cards (they have so few specific instruction though–I always spoil them! My aunt thinks it’s hilarious how much clarification I require in the kitchen). I know I’ll be saving this recipe though, Liz, it must be wonderful!
Apple crisp is the best and I love that caramel gelato topping idea – genius!