This is apple crisp at its absolute best — warm, cinnamon-spiced apples tucked under a buttery oat crumble. It’s fast, no-fuss, and always hits the spot. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got fall dessert perfection.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

It’s easy to make, easy to love, and delivers all the nostalgic flavor of apple pie without the fuss of a crust. The filling is gooey, tart, and balanced, while the topping is buttery and crisp. Best of all? It’s ready in under an hour and makes your kitchen smell amazing.

The BEST Apple Crisp Recipe

Apple crisp is the fall dessert that never disappoints. It’s simple, rustic, and totally satisfying. Unlike pie, there’s no rolling, chilling, or fancy decorating. Just fresh apples, a handful of pantry staples, and a hot oven.

What makes this version the best? A few things. First, the topping has baking powder — a small tweak that makes it light and crisp instead of dense. Second, the filling uses lemon juice and vanilla for brightness and balance. And third, the mix of butter, brown sugar, and oats gives it that classic flavor and texture you crave.

Ingredient highlights:

• Granny Smith apples hold their shape and bring a tart bite to balance the sweet.

• Brown sugar adds depth to both the topping and filling.

• Cinnamon and nutmeg warm things up without overpowering the apple flavor.

• Butter is key — go for salted for a richer flavor.

You can serve it warm or cold, with ice cream or without. But warm + vanilla ice cream + caramel drizzle? That’s the move.

This dessert works as well for a casual family dinner as it does for Thanksgiving or a potluck. It’s also incredibly forgiving — you can make it with other fruits, or make it ahead and bake when ready.

Servings & Time

• Servings: 6

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Bake Time: 35 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

Crumble Topping:

• ⅔ cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup light brown sugar

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ cup salted butter, cut into small pieces

Apple Filling:

• 3–4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced

• 3 tbsp salted butter, melted

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 3 tbsp milk

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ cup light brown sugar

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder.

3. Add butter and cut it in with a fork or pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly. Chill topping while prepping apples.

4. In another bowl, stir together melted butter and flour. Add lemon juice, milk, and vanilla.

5. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss apples in the mixture until coated.

6. Pour apples into an 8×8-inch baking dish. Spread topping evenly over apples.

7. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling at the edges.

8. Let cool 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with ice cream and/or caramel sauce.

Tips

Substitutions

• Use Honeycrisp or Fuji if you prefer sweeter apples.

• Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for crunch.

Make-Ahead

• Assemble unbaked and refrigerate for 1 day.

• Leftovers keep 3–4 days in the fridge; reheat in oven or microwave.