This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe with Oats is a no fail dessert just like grandma used to make! Sweet cinnamon apples are topped with a crunchy, buttery oat crumble topping, then baked to perfection! Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate bite of apple crisp goodness.
Why This Is The BEST Apple Crisp Recipe
- Oat topping. I love this crisp topping because it includes oats. They help absorb some of the moisture the apples release, while also keeping the topping crunchy!
- Quick and easy. The hardest part of making this apple crisp recipe with oats is peeling the apples. The rest of it takes just a few minutes to prepare.
- Perfect for fall. Old fashioned apple crisp is one of my favorite fall desserts and it makes a great alternative to apple pie during the holidays too.
Looking for more apple dessert ideas? Try my Classic Apple Pie recipe, Dutch Apple Pie, Apple Dump Cake, or this easy Skillet Apple Pie!
Recipe Ingredients
These easy apple crisp recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.
- Apples – As mentioned above, I prefer Granny Smith but you can use other apples.
- Orange – My secret ingredient! You’ll want both the zest and juice.
- Salt – Helps to balance the other ingredients.
- Brown sugar – Sweetens the apple filling and is also used in the topping.
- Cinnamon – Adds the warm flavor to the apple crisp.
- Butter – Be sure to use cold butter.
- Flour
- Quick oats – You can use old fashioned oats but I think quick oats create the best texture.
How To Make The Best Apple Crisp
The hardest part of making this apple crisp recipe with oats is peeling the apples! Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions.
- Prepare the apples. Peel and slice the apples. Stir in the orange zest and juice, salt, brown sugar, and cinnamon to coat the apples. Let rest to release the juices.
- Prepare the topping. Combine the butter, flour, sugar, oats, and salt.
- Bake. Spread the apples in a baking dish, discarding the excess liquid. Add the topping. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until the apples are bubbly and the topping is crisp and golden.
Tips for Success
I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I am going to share with you on how to make the best apple crisp. They are simple little things you can do to ensure success!
- Add citrus. I feel like the top secret to my apple crisp recipe is adding orange zest and a little orange juice right into the apples. You can honestly use any citrus in place of the orange, but the subtle orange flavor is just special enough to make it different but not be too noticeable!
- Use quick oats in your crumble topping. Quick oats are just rolled (old fashioned) oats cut into smaller pieces, which makes them less detectable and not as chewy.
- Allow your apples to sit in the cinnamon, sugar, zest, and juice for a bit before baking. This will draw out some of the moisture from the apples, preventing your apple crisp from getting too soupy!
- Use Granny Smith apples. This might be more of a personal preference, but I almost always prefer Granny Smith apples in baking. They hold their texture, release less juice, are easily available, and have a great balance of sweet and tart after they’re baked.
What to Serve with Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is best served warm, either from the oven or microwaved for a few seconds. I like to top mine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream but whipped cream works too. You can even add a sprinkle of cinnamon or caramel drizzle to the top.
Proper Storage
- Room temperature. Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Note that the longer it’s stored, the softer the topping will become so I prefer to eat it within a day.
- Reheat. Pop individual servings in the microwave for 20 seconds store airtight for up to 2 days. The longer this is stored the softer the crisp layer will get, so I like to eat this within a day of being made.
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Looking for More Apple Recipes? Try These!
- Apple Fritter Bread
- Easy Skillet Caramel Apple Pie
- Apple Snickerdoodle Bars
- Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
This recipe was originally published in 2015. I have updated the images and the content with some tips and tricks.
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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Dessert
Description
This Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp recipe is a no fail dessert just like grandma used to make! Sweet cinnamon apples are topped with a crunchy, buttery oat crumble topping, then baked to perfection! Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate bite of apple crisp goodness.
Ingredients
Apple layer
- 5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced approx 1/3″ thick
- zest and juice of one large orange
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Crisp Topping
- 1 cup butter, cold and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cup quick oats
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9×13 pan, or lightly coat with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Combine the apples, orange zest, orange juice, salt, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir to coat evenly. Set aside while you prepare your topping.
- For the crisp topping, place butter, flour, brown sugar, oats, and salt in a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your hands combine all the ingredients until the mixture is crumbly.
- Spread the apples into the prepared baking dish, discarding any liquid the apples released.
- Sprinkle the oat mixture on top of the apples.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes until the crisp is lightly browned and the apples are bubbly.
- Serve warm or at room temperature
Notes
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The longer this is stored the softer the crisp layer will get, so I like to eat this within a day of being made.
Serve with ice cream and caramel sauce, if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 381
- Sugar: 27.1 g
- Sodium: 242.2 mg
- Fat: 19.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 50.1 g
- Protein: 3.7 g
- Cholesterol: 48.8 mg
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Best apple crisp I ever made! Love this simple, uncomplicated recipe.
thank you so much! We love it too!
Can you prepare a day ahead and assemble right before cooking?
Sure!
Wondering if I can use old fashion oats instead, I prefer the texture and taste.
Yes you can 🙂 I prefer the quick oats, as I explained in the post, but it’s a personal preference!
Hi Shelly –
I made your Apple Crisp recipe this weekend and I must say, it’s the “best” apple crisp I’ve ever made. That touch of orange really adds to the flavor! Thank you so much for the recipe!
So glad you liked it!!!
at what temp do we bake it at?
This apple crisp is totally perfect. I am absolutely a apple lover and I love every single piece of it. Can’t wait till the weekend to make it with my boyfriend. This’ll be a big wow wow for sure.
I would also use another 1/2 amount of streusel. I usually use lemon zest, but using orange zest is my next adventure. Love the caramel add on ….maybe a few toasted walnut pieces. Oh my !!! super calorific !!!
Can you tell me about the taste of Granny Smiths? I generally use empires because they don’t mush (Gala is a nightmare) but I have been having problems with too much juice lately. Are the Granny Smiths bitter? I am not a “tart” liker and ppl usually say GSs are “tart.” thanks!
Oops.Not diesel, streusel topping! ? lol