This easy apple crisp recipe is hands-down the best I’ve ever tried. It tastes warm and cozy thanks to baked cinnamon apples and a brown sugar oatmeal crumble topping. Made with fresh apples and simple pantry ingredients, it’s the perfect fall treat. 
Apple crisp is a classic for a reason: the apples become tender and sweet as they bake, coated in cinnamon and sugar, while a buttery brown sugar oatmeal topping adds crunch and depth.
What I love most is how simple it is. With basic pantry staples and fresh apples you can assemble this dessert in minutes—no special equipment or advanced skills required.
Growing up, my mom often made fruit crisps for Sunday dinner. Oatmeal crumble on top and plenty of cinnamon were non-negotiable. If I was lucky, I’d have the cold leftovers for breakfast the next morning.
How to Make an Apple Crisp
Start by preparing the crumble topping:
- Whisk together flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon and salt.
- Cut cold butter into small cubes and add to the dry mix.
- Work the butter into the mixture with a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers until it forms coarse crumbs. The mixture should hold together when squeezed but should not form a dough.
Next, prepare the apple layer. Choose apples that are firm and slightly tart so they hold up in the oven and balance the sweet topping. Granny Smith are my top pick; Honeycrisp or Empire also work well.
Peel and thinly slice the apples (about 1/8–1/4 inch thick). Whisk together melted butter, flour, water, sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg, then pour this mixture over the apples and toss to coat. This helps the apples soften and sweeten without becoming watery.
Place the apple mixture in a greased 2‑quart baking dish (a 9×9, 8×8, or 11×7 pan also work). Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples—the pan will look full at first but the apples will shrink as they bake.
Bake until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling at the edges. The result is cinnamon-coated apples with a light caramel note and a crisp, buttery oatmeal topping.
Apple Crisp
30 mins
35 mins
1 hr 5 mins
Ingredients
Crumble
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup large flake oats
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Apple Filling
- 6 large apples (Granny Smith recommended)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 2‑quart baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon and salt.
- Add the cubed butter and cut it into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or rub it in with your fingers until the mixture is crumbly with no large butter pieces. Chill while you prepare the filling.
- Peel and slice the apples about 1/8–1/4 inch thick.
- Whisk together melted butter, flour, water, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Pour the mixture over the sliced apples and toss to coat evenly.
- Spoon the apples into the prepared pan and sprinkle the crumble evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the topping is golden and apples are bubbling at the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!