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Apple Crisp
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The Best Ever Apple Crisp

There is something truly comforting about a warm, bubbling apple crisp fresh out of the oven. This recipe is everything you want in a cozy dessert, combining tender, cinnamon-kissed apples with a golden, buttery crumble topping. It’s simple enough for a weeknight treat but special enough to serve when friends and family come over. Every bite is a perfect mix of sweet and tart, soft and crunchy, that makes it nearly impossible to stop at just one serving.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 310kcal

Ingredients

For the Filling

  • 6 medium apples peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the Topping

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease your 9×9-inch baking dish. This ensures the crisp does not stick and bakes evenly.
  • In a large bowl, combine sliced apples with sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour. Toss until every apple slice is evenly coated in the fragrant mixture, which will help thicken the juices while baking.
  • Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. This layer will form the sweet, juicy base of your apple crisp.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly and evenly coated. Adding nuts at this stage enhances texture and flavor.
  • Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples, making sure to cover all the fruit. This helps the crisp bake with a golden, crunchy top while the apples remain tender underneath.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbly. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Notes

Choose the right apples. Using a mix of sweet and tart apples, like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, ensures your filling is flavorful and not overly mushy.
Don’t skip the lemon juice. It balances the sweetness and prevents the apples from browning before baking.
Keep an eye on the topping. If it browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil to avoid burning while the apples cook through.
Serve warm for the best flavor. Apple crisp tastes amazing straight from the oven, but it can also be reheated with a few extra minutes in the oven for a freshly baked texture.