If you’re looking for a dessert that wraps you up in warmth, comfort, and delicious nostalgia, this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is exactly what you need. Bursting with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and crowned with a perfectly crunchy oat topping, it brings those classic home-baked vibes to your table with minimal fuss. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or just craving a cozy treat, this apple crisp is a timeless favorite that’s both simple to make and irresistibly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is carefully chosen for its role in creating that perfect harmony of flavors and textures, from juicy apples to the buttery crumbly topping. They’re simple pantry staples that come together beautifully to make a dessert that feels both rustic and refined.
- Golden delicious apples: These provide the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and hold their shape beautifully when baked.
- Granulated sugar: Lightly sweetens the apple filling, enhancing the fruit’s natural flavor without overpowering it.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements the apples perfectly.
- Lemon juice: A burst of acidity that brightens the filling and prevents the apples from browning.
- Light brown sugar: Brings rich molasses notes to the topping for deep flavor and warm sweetness.
- Old-fashioned oats: These oats create a hearty, textured topping that crisps up wonderfully in the oven.
- All-purpose flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together and provides structure.
- Kosher salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors in the topping and balances the sweetness.
- Cold unsalted butter: The key to that luscious crumbly texture in the topping; keep it cold to achieve perfect crumbs.
How to Make Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Dish
Start off by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to go when you finish assembling your crisp. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish generously with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking and add a touch of richness to the final result.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
In a large bowl, toss the peeled and chopped golden delicious apples with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. This simple mix will infuse the apples with sweetness, spice, and brightness while creating a juicy, tender filling that’s the heart of this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe.
Step 3: Make the Crisp Topping
Mix together the light brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt in another bowl. Add the cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes, then use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend everything until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs. This technique ensures a topping that bakes into golden, crunchy perfection.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Spread the apple filling evenly in your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the crumbly topping over the fruit, pressing down lightly to help it adhere. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling up around the edges—this signals that your crisp is perfectly cooked and ready to enjoy.
Step 5: Serve Warm
There’s nothing quite like serving this apple crisp fresh out of the oven while it’s still warm and fragrant. The contrast between the juicy, tender apples and crisp, buttery topping makes every bite feel cozy and indulgent.
How to Serve Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Garnishes
Top your apple crisp with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to add a cooling, smooth contrast to its warm texture. A sprinkle of chopped pecans or toasted almonds adds delightful crunch and a nutty edge that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon-spiced apples.
Side Dishes
While this crisp often shines as a stand-alone dessert, you can also serve it alongside a warm cup of coffee or a lightly spiced chai tea to round out your cozy indulgence. For a more substantial treat, pair it with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese—yes, it’s a magical classic combo that balances sweet and savory beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets for a charming single-serve touch. Layer with a drizzle of caramel sauce before serving or sprinkle with extra oats and cinnamon for an even more rustic, inviting look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen over time, though the topping may soften slightly. To revive some crispness, you can reheat it in the oven briefly before serving.
Freezing
This apple crisp freezes wonderfully! Prepare the entire dish and then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. It can be stored for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven to restore its cozy goodness.
Reheating
Reheat apple crisp in a preheated 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until the topping crisps back up and the filling is warmed through. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve that crispy topping texture—oven reheating is the key to enjoying it like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! While golden delicious apples are perfect because of their sweetness and texture, you can also use Granny Smith for tartness or a mix of apple varieties to give your crisp a more complex flavor.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend, and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. The crisp will still turn out deliciously crunchy and flavorful.
Can I make the topping dairy-free?
Sure thing! Replace the unsalted butter with a cold, dairy-free butter substitute or coconut oil chilled until firm. This swap works well and keeps the topping crumbly and delicious.
What if I don’t have old-fashioned oats?
If you only have quick oats, they’ll work in a pinch though the topping may be less textured. For the best crumbly crunch, old-fashioned rolled oats are ideal.
How sweet is this apple crisp? Can I adjust the sweetness?
This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe balances sweetness nicely with natural fruit tartness and warm spices, but you can always reduce or increase the sugar amounts in the filling or topping to suit your taste. Remember, the brown sugar adds richness as well as sweetness!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the way this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe brings simple ingredients together to create a comforting, heartwarming dessert that feels like a big hug in every bite. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, I can’t recommend giving this classic a try enough — it’s straightforward, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. So gather your apples, preheat your oven, and get ready to make your kitchen smell like pure happiness!
Print
Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp is a classic, comforting dessert featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced apples baked under a crunchy oat and brown sugar topping. Perfectly sweetened with lemon juice to balance flavors, it’s an effortless, crowd-pleasing recipe that can be served warm with ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 golden delicious apples, peeled and chopped (or sliced)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1½ tsp lemon juice
Topping
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of kosher salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to ensure the crisp doesn’t stick and cooks evenly.
- Prepare the Apple Filling – In a mixing bowl, toss the peeled and chopped apples with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. The lemon juice prevents browning and adds a brightness that complements the sweetness. Transfer this mixture evenly to the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Topping – In a separate bowl, combine light brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Add the cold diced butter to the mixture, then use a pastry cutter or your hands to blend everything together until it resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs. This crumbly mix will form the crunchy topping.
- Assemble & Bake – Evenly spread the topping over the apple filling in the baking dish. Lightly press down to help it hold together during baking. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
- Serve – Remove the apple crisp from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for a classic and comforting dessert experience.
Notes
- Use golden delicious apples for a sweet, tender filling; other apple varieties like Granny Smith can be used for a tarter flavor.
- Ensure butter is cold and cut into small cubes so it creates a crumbly, buttery topping.
- Let the crisp cool for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
- For added texture and flavor, consider mixing chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the topping.
