Easy Apple Crisp Recipe with Oats

Name: Easy Apple Crisp with Oatmeal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Ingredients: 7 cups peeled & sliced apples (6-7 large or 8-10 small apples, I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady,); ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup cornstarch; 1 tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp nutmeg; 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats; ½ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into pieces)

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Get ready to wow friends, family, and yourself when you make the best apple crisp recipe with a warm apple filling and addictive crumble oat topping.

Even better, you’ll make it in just 5 easy steps with just 10 minutes of prep when you follow my step-by-step guide below.

apple crisp on a plate drizzled with caramel sauce with a scoop of ice cream and a spoon beside it and fresh apples, fall leaves and an orange towel around it

This Homemade Apple Crisp screams fall!

I can barely even write about this warm apple dessert without my mouth watering, that’s how good it is. In this recipe, I take a classic dessert packed with fresh apples and put my own spin on it.

This is my personal favorite to serve up on a chilly day, and a family favorite dessert that brings everyone together from the time the smell of warm apples fills the house from the oven.

During apple season, this is my favorite way to use up fresh picked apples. If you’re going apple picking, definitely set some aside for this easy recipe!

close up of a white baking pan full of apple crisp with a spoon in it and some of the crisp missing with a dark orange towel and whole green apple beside the dish

What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

The main difference between an apple crisp and apple crumble is the ingredients in the topping. In a crisp, the topping normally includes oats and sometimes nuts. In an apple crumble, the topping is more like a streusel where the topping is made with flour, sugar, and butter.

a white baking dish full of apple crisp with a spoon and scoop of vanilla ice cream in it, a green apple, fall leaves and dark orange towel beside it

Easy Apple Crisp Ingredients

This classic apple crisp is made with tender cinnamon apples and an irresistible crumble topping. Follow my easy steps below and this will become one of your favorite apple desserts! Keep reading for the full recipe with measurements and ingredients in the recipe card below.

Apple Filling

Apples: I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady
Brown sugar
Cornstarch
Cinnamon
Nutmeg

Topping

Od fashioned rolled oats
All-purpose flour
Brown sugar: You can swap the brown sugar for caramel sauce to make caramel apple crisp.
Cinnamon
Salt
Unsalted butter

an assortment of different types of apples on a wood surface

Best Apples for Apple Crisp

There are several apple varieties that make a delicious apple crisp. To make the best apple crisp, I recommend using either Granny Smith apples, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.

How to Make Apple Crisp with Oatmeal

This easy apple crisp recipe is ready in just 5 easy steps. Once you try it once, it will be your favorite Fall dessert. Get the full recipe with measurements and ingredients in the recipe card below.

a clear glass bowl with apple slices in it surrounded by cinnamon sticks, a green apple, a spoon of cinnamon, and orange towel and fall leaves

sliced apples in a white baking dish coated in a cinnamon mixture

Apple Filling

Peel and chop or slice about 7 cups of apples. Cut the apples into 1 inch by 1/2 inch cubes or slice into ½ inch apple slices.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In your baking dish (use can use a 8×8 inch pan, 8 inch round pan, 9×9 inch pan, 9 inch round pan, 7×11 inch pan, basically you can use any dish that is 2 to 2.5 quarts) combine the apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss with a spoon or spatula to combine.

Topping

In a mixing bowl combine the old fashioned rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cubed cold butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the mixture. Mix until it’s “sandy” in texture, it’s okay if there are pea sized clumps of butter! Use your hands to squeeze the mixture together.
Use your fingers to break the topping into clumps and evenly distribute the topping all over the apples.

Bake for 40-45 minutes. Check to see if the crisp is bubbling and if the topping is golden. If those two things have not occurred, bake for 10-20 additional minutes. The bake time will depend on what size of pan you used. I baked my crisp for 60 minutes in an oval 7×11 inch pan. Allow the crisp to cool for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to thicken, then serve.

How Do You Cut Apples for Apple Crisp?

To cut apples for this recipe, you can either peel and diced them into 1 inch cubes, or peel and slice the apples into ½ inch thick slices, whichever you prefer.

How To Make Apple Crisp Topping

This crumble topping is made by combining old fashioned rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cubed cold butter using your hands to create a sandy, crumbly mixture. The crumb topping is then distributed evenly over an apple filling and baked until golden brown.

a white baking pan full of freshly baked apple crisp with a spoon in it, fall leaves, cinnamon sticks, and a dark orange towel beside it

Serving the Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Serving up a bowl of apple crisp is like giving a warm, cozy hug. This apple recipe is delicious on its own, but it also pairs perfectly served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of my easy whipped cream recipe.. You can also top each individual serving with a drizzle of caramel sauce or chopped nuts.

a white baking pan full of freshly baked apple crisp with a spoon in it and two scoops of vanilla ice cream

How to Store this Apple Crisp Recipe with Oats

To store leftovers, either cover them in the baking dish or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

I recommend reheating the crisp in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, although the microwave will work in a pinch—the topping just won’t be as crispy.

Can I freeze Apple Crisp?

Yes, you can freeze this crisp recipe. Wrap it well or place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat it according to the instructions above.

What Size Dish to Use for Apple Crisp

You can use any dish that is 2 to 2.5 quarts for this caramel apple crisp. All of these options will work:

8×8 inch pan
8 inch round pan
9×9 inch pan
9 inch round pan
7×11 inch pan

a white baking pan full of apple crisp with a spoon stuck in it surrounded by cinnamon sticks, a dark orange towel, one whole red apple and one whole green apple, and some fall leaves

Homemade Apple Crisp FAQs

Should I cover my apple crisp while baking?

No, you should not cover this recipe while baking it. Leaving it uncovered bakes it to perfect golden brown perfection.

What’s the difference between apple pie and apple crisp?

The main difference between apple pie and apple crisp is the crust vs crumble. In a traditional apple pie, a crust encases the entire pie filling on top, bottom, and side. In a crisp, the filling is topped with a crispy crumble and there is nothing on the bottom or sides.

What is the difference between apple crisp and brown betty?

The main difference between a brown betty and an apple crisp is the use of oatmeal in the crisp topping. Traditionally in a brown betty, flour, brown sugar, and butter make up the crisp topping, while an apple crisp typically contains oats in the topping.

Can I cut apples the night before for apple crisp?

It’s best to cut the apples right before making this recipe so they don’t oxidize and start to turn brown in color. However, if you prefer to slice them ahead of time, add some fresh squeezed lemon juice and toss them in it to help prevent browning.

Can you refrigerate apple crisp before baking?

If you want to refrigerate this recipe ahead of time before baking, I recommend waiting to add the topping until just before cooking. This will ensure it doesn’t get soggy. Baking a cold apple crisp filling may take longer so you may have to adjust bake times accordingly.