Apple Crisp is a classic dessert recipe that’s perfect for summer and fall. Tender and spicy apples are topped with a sweet and crisp oatmeal topping.
Apple Crisp
Although apple picking season is still a few months away, it’s never a bad time to enjoy a crumby, ice cream-topped square of Apple Crisp, amirite? As a matter of fact, I love making Apple Crisp all year round, even in the summer!
For one, this fruit-filled dessert doesn’t sit too heavy, and topped with a scoop of ice cream — or eaten straight from the fridge — it’s irresistibly delicious, even on a warm day.
Second, this nostalgic dessert is super easy to make and share with all your friends and family.
And third, whoever said you could only enjoy this spice-filled treat at a certain time of year?
Is Apple Crisp the same as Apple Crumble?
A crumble which is a common dessert in the UK is apples baked with a topping of flour, butter, and sugar.
In North America, we have crisp which is basically the same thing, but the topping is made primarily with rolled oats rather than flour.
It’s also almost always made with cinnamon and sometimes nuts are added to it as well.
Crisps and crumbles are pretty much the same but technically the topping on a crisp is supposed to be a bit finer so it’s crunchier.
What Are the Best Apples to use in an Apple Crisp?
This might be the most important question to ask when making this recipe, honestly, though, it comes down to personal preference, but here are my top recommendations for this recipe!
Honeycrisp – This is my personal favorite for baked apple dishes. The bake up great, I can almost always find them, and they add a slight touch of honey to the recipe.
Granny Smith – This tends to be the go-to apple for most bakers because it adds a touch of tartness to baked dishes which prevents them from being too sweet, they also hold their shape the best during baking.
Cortland – This apple tends to bake up a little softer, but it doesn’t turn to mush. Its flavor profile is a mix of sweet and tart.
Braeburn – Another great choice with a mixture of sweet and tart flavor. This is a great one to pair with granny smith apples for a bit of contrast in the recipe. This is a drier apple, so if using this, your filling will be less juicy.
Empire – This is a cross between a McIntosh apple and a Red Delicious. It stays firm during baking and has a sweet flavor.
Jonathan – This apple isn’t as common across the country, but if you can find them, it’s a great choice. They have a tart and spicy profile that lends well to baking.
McIntosh – Not my first choice, but they are very common here in Maine in the fall and super cheap. They can definitely be used for baking, but it’s best to mix them with a sturdier apple like a granny smith or golden delicious because they are really soft and juicy and break down quite a bit when cooked.
In this easy dessert recipe, the apples are baked with butter, sugar, and spices to create the luscious bottom layer. The topping, which combines oatmeal and flour with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, creates a crumbly top layer that turns golden brown in the oven.
That buttery, brown sugar-laced topping is what makes Apple Crisp totally irresistible. While there are a lot of versions out there, I prefer this recipe because it includes oatmeal, making the crumble dense and hearty.
Do you have to keep Apple Crisp in the fridge?
Yes and no. When it first comes out of the oven, it should be left on the counter to come to room temperature, although you can indulge right away if you’d like (those apples will be very hot though)!
Once it comes to room temperature, it can usually stay there for the day but should be refrigerated overnight.
This is one of those simple recipes that’s great to make with the helping hands of kids, especially on a rainy day or if they’re bored by the second week of summer vacation!
Most of the prep is just mixing up the apple mixture and crumble topping before combining them in a pan, although the apple peeling and slicing can be left to the adults.
The most time-consuming part of this recipe is the 35-40 minute bake time, so you can catch up on your favorite show as the spiced apple aroma starts to fill the house!
If you’re hosting or attending a Fourth of July barbecue, consider making a couple batches of Apple Crisp to share. Everyone loves a tried-and-true classic, plus it’s hard to mess up this easy dessert!
Don’t wait until fall — this simple recipe can be made and enjoyed during any season! It’s cozy in the cooler months but served with a scoop of ice cream, you can cool it down and enjoy it all summer long.
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Apple Crisp is a classic dessert recipe that's perfect for summer and fall. Tender and spicy apples are topped with a sweet and crisp oatmeal topping.
- 5 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup quick 1-minute oats
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Stir together apple mixture ingredients in a large bowl and pour into a greased 9x9-inch baking dish.
- Mix together the topping ingredients until a thick crumble forms. Spoon out over the apple mixture and gently press to cover.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream and whip cream, if desired.
- You can slice your apples as thick or thin as you want, I prefer to slice mine into tenths.
Nellie Tracy says
This is my ALL TIME favorite dessert! They crunchy crust, amazing flavors and the contrast of the hot apple crisp with the cold vanilla ice cream is all perfection!
Jenn says
Loving it with honeycrisp apples – so good! Thanks for the fantastic recipe!