Delicious 15-Minute Apple Crisp Recipe

Ah, apple crisp! Just saying the words brings back such cozy memories, doesn’t it? There’s something so wonderfully comforting about a warm apple crisp, especially when the air starts to get a little chilly. It’s honestly one of my absolute favorite fall treats. While I adore a good apple pie, sometimes you just want that delicious cinnamon-apple flavor without all the fuss of rolling out a crust. That’s where this easy apple crisp truly shines! It gives you all those incredible textures and tastes – tender, sweet apples baked under a perfectly crunchy oat and brown sugar topping – but in a way that’s so much simpler and quicker. My love for this dessert goes way back to my grandmother’s kitchen. She’d often make a version of this when we had a surplus of apples from the orchard, and the smell filling her house was pure magic.

SAVE IT

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Crisp

This apple crisp isn’t just a dessert; it’s a warm hug in a bowl! Here’s why it’s become a go-to in my kitchen:

• Super Speedy: Seriously, you can have this ready for the oven in about 15 minutes flat. Perfect for those nights when dinner is done but you crave something sweet.
• Effortlessly Simple: No pie crust drama here! It’s all about tossing apples and sprinkling on a delicious, crunchy topping. Anyone can make this!
• Bursting with Flavor: Tender, sweet apples mingle with warm cinnamon and a satisfyingly crunchy oat topping. It’s pure comfort food.
• Seasonal Superstar: It’s the absolute best way to use up those fresh apples from the orchard or farmers’ market.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream, and watch everyone dig in! It’s a guaranteed hit for family and friends.

Ingredients for the Perfect Apple Crisp

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! The beauty of this easy apple crisp is that it uses pretty simple things you probably already have in your pantry. But using good quality ingredients, especially the apples, makes all the difference. Trust me on this one! For the best flavor and texture, I always go for apples that hold their shape nicely when baked, something like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith (for a little tartness!), Fuji, or Gala. A mix is totally fine too – it adds complexity!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6 cups worth!)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (this little bit keeps them from browning and adds a nice zing)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (the base for our lovely crisp topping)
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (use old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant ones, for the best texture!)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (this gives that caramel-y sweetness and gorgeous color!)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (because what’s an apple dessert without cinnamon?)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (this just balances all the sweetness, don’t skip it!)
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (crucial for that crumbly topping!)

These are the stars of our show, and when they come together, magic happens. You can find more simple baking inspiration over on my banana oat muffins recipe!

How to Make Apple Crisp: Step-by-Step Guide

Okay, let’s get this deliciousness made! Making this apple crisp is honestly a breeze, and I promise it’s even easier than it sounds. The whole process, from start to finish, is designed to be super simple and totally foolproof. You’ve got your apples, you’ve got your crumb topping – let’s put them together!

Preparing the Apples for Your Apple Crisp

First things first, we need to get those apples ready. Peel them, cut out the cores, and then slice them up. I like my slices to be about ¼ inch thick – not too thin that they turn to mush, and not too thick that they stay hard. Toss those apple slices right into a big bowl with that tablespoon of lemon juice. Don’t skip the lemon juice, it’s a little trick to keep them from turning brown and gives a tiny hint of tartness that is just lovely with the sweet topping.

Creating the Perfect Cinnamon Oat Topping

While your apples are chilling, let’s whip up that amazing crunchy topping. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, packed brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Give it a good whisk to combine everything. Now, here comes the fun part: cutting in the butter! Make sure your butter is nice and cold – this is key! You can use a pastry blender, two knives, or just your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it all looks like coarse crumbs, kind of like wet sand. Don’t overmix it; you want some nice little buttery chunks in there for texture.

Assembling and Baking Your Apple Crisp

Now for the final assembly! Spread those lemony apple slices evenly into your baking dish. Don’t pack them down too much, just a nice even layer. Then, generously sprinkle that glorious crumb topping all over the apples, making sure to get it into all the nooks and crannies. Pop it into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). You’ll want to bake it for about 30 to 40 minutes. It’s ready when the topping is a beautiful golden brown and you can see the apples bubbling up around the edges and they’re nice and tender when you poke them with a fork. This is a wonderful fall baking recipe!

SAVE IT

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

You know, there are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years that really make an apple crisp sing. It’s not complicated, but these small things just take it from good to absolutely amazing! First off, don’t be afraid to mix your apples – a Granny Smith for tang and a Honeycrisp or Fuji for sweetness is a brilliant combo. For that dreaded soggy bottom, make sure your apples aren’t *too* juicy before you top them, and giving them a little bake on their own for 10-15 minutes before adding the topping can help if they released a lot of liquid. And how to tell when it’s done? Look for that gorgeous golden-brown topping and listen for the happy little bubbling sounds coming from the edges of your baking dish. If a knife glides easily into the apples, they’re perfectly tender! My grandmother always said, “Listen to your dessert!” and I swear, it talks to you. It reminds me a bit of learning to make homemade apple cider – simple ingredients, but a little know-how makes all the difference. If you’re craving apple but want a slightly different twist, my apple pie bars are another fantastic way to go!

SAVE IT

Variations and Substitutions for Your Apple Crisp

Now, while I absolutely adore this classic apple crisp just the way it is, the beauty of home baking is making it your own! You can totally play around with this recipe to suit your tastes or what you have on hand. For a little twist on the spices, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or a whisper of cardamom along with the cinnamon – they’re lovely with apples! If you love a bit of crunch, toasting up some chopped pecans or walnuts and tossing them into the oat topping mixture is divine. It adds such a nice nutty flavor and extra texture. And hey, while apples are the stars here, you could totally swap out half of them for pears or even a handful of berries for a different fruit vibe. It’s a great way to use up whatever’s in your fruit bowl!

For anyone looking for dietary tweaks, this recipe is super adaptable. To make it gluten-free, just be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats and a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the topping. If you need a dairy-free version, simply swap out the regular butter for your favorite dairy-free butter substitute. It works like a charm! You can even get creative and throw in some dried cranberries or a splash of orange juice for extra flavor. It’s all about making it perfect for YOU! If fruit fritters are more your style, check out my apple fritters recipe too!

Serving Suggestions for Your Warm Apple Crumble

Oh, this apple crisp is just screaming to be served warm! Honestly, the best way to enjoy it is straight from the oven, maybe with a generous scoop of good ol’ vanilla ice cream melting into those tender apples and crunchy crumbs. Pure bliss! If ice cream isn’t your thing, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or even a drizzle of caramel sauce is just heavenly. It’s fantastic as a simple dessert for weeknight family dinners, but it also feels special enough for guests. Picture bringing out a bubbly, warm apple crumble to your friends gathered for a casual get-together – it’s always a guaranteed showstopper!

For a little extra flair, you could try my caramel apple nachos recipe as inspiration for a fun topping too. It’s all about creating those cozy moments around delicious food!

SAVE IT

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This apple crisp is actually pretty forgiving. Once it’s cooled down a bit, you’ll want to store any extras in an airtight container right in the refrigerator. It should stay yummy for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready for another taste, reheating is super simple and brings back that lovely warmth and crispness.

My favorite way to reheat is in the oven! Just pop a serving onto a small baking sheet or into an oven-safe dish at around 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. This helps crisp up that topping again. You can also pop it in the microwave if you’re in a real hurry, but just know the topping might soften up a bit more. Either way, it’s still a delicious treat!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Crisp

Got some questions swirling around about making the perfect apple crisp? I totally get it! It’s one of those comforting desserts that’s simple but sometimes you just want to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered. Here are a few things people often ask me:

What are the best apples for apple crisp?

Oh, this is a great question! While you can use pretty much any apple, I find that apples that are a little bit tart and hold their shape well when baked are the absolute best. Think Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith – I often use a mix of them! Granny Smith gives you that lovely tang that cuts through the sweetness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji add a nice, bright sweetness. Avoid apples that get mushy really fast, like Red Delicious, unless you really love a softer texture.

Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?

You can definitely assemble an apple crisp ahead of time! I like to put the apples in the baking dish and then keep the topping separate in an airtight container in the fridge. Just sprinkle the topping over the apples right before you’re ready to bake it. You can also bake the whole thing ahead, let it cool, and then store it. Just know that the topping might soften a bit upon reheating, but it’s still totally delicious! It’s a great option if you’re hosting and want to get a head start.

How do I prevent my apple crisp topping from getting soggy?

Good question! That crispy topping is half the magic, right? The key is making sure your butter is really cold and cutting it into the dry ingredients until you have coarse crumbs – don’t overmix it into a paste! Also, making sure your apples aren’t super watery before you top them helps. If your apples seem extra juicy, you can drain off a little bit of the liquid. Some folks even like to pre-bake the apples alone for about 10-15 minutes before adding the topping, which can help reduce moisture. And, of course, using rolled oats instead of quick oats makes a *huge* difference in texture! If you’re interested, my classic gluten-free apple crisp recipe also has some great tips for texture!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, the nutrition info for this yummy apple crisp is an estimate, and it can vary a bit depending on the apples you use and exactly how you make the topping. But generally, you’re looking at something around 350 calories per serving. It’s got about 18g of fat (thanks, butter!), 50g of carbs, and a good amount of natural sugar from the apples and brown sugar. It’s a delightful treat, especially for a cozy fall evening!

Easy Apple Crisp

Print Recipe

Save Recipe Recipe Saved

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A simple and comforting apple crisp recipe with a crunchy oat topping, perfect for using fall apples.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 40 min
• Total Time: 55 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice.
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Spread the apple slices evenly in an 8×8 inch baking dish.
6. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
8. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• You can use a mix of apple varieties for more complex flavor.
• For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 45mg