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The Best Classic Apple Crisp Recipe with a Buttery, Crunchy Oat Topping

Close-up of a freshly baked apple crisp recipe with a thick, golden-brown oat topping in a white square baking dish.
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This is the ultimate easy apple crisp recipe. You get tender, juicy apples baked under a perfectly buttery and crunchy oat topping, capturing all the warm flavors of autumn comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced about 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • For the Topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish or a 9-inch pie plate.
  2. Prepare the apple filling: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until the apples are evenly coated.
  3. Arrange the coated apples in a single layer in your prepared baking dish. Pour the 1/4 cup of water evenly over the apples.
  4. Prepare the topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt.
  5. Cut in the cold butter cubes using a pastry blender or your fingertips. Work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Do not overmix.
  6. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apple layer. Press it down lightly.
  7. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender when pierced with a fork.
  8. Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly.
  9. Serve your warm apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the best experience.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
  • If you prefer a slightly softer topping, you can melt the butter for the topping instead of cutting it in cold. Mix the melted butter with the dry ingredients until just combined.
  • This dessert is fantastic served warm, but leftovers store well covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/apple-crisp-recipe/