apple recipes have seriously saved me more times than I can count. Maybe you grabbed too many at the orchard or maybe you’re just staring at that lonely basket on the counter (we’ve all been there). You want something easy, cozy, not too fancy. My absolute favorite? Apple crisp. It’s like a hug, only edible. If you ever got curious about other creative ideas, check out my go-to apple cake recipe or maybe wander into apple crisp cheesecake territory if you’re feeling wild. 
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Apple Crisp
So let’s not overcomplicate things. The magic is in using simple stuff you probably already have. Every time I make apple crisp, I just grab:
- 6 to 7 cups apples (I love Honeycrisp, Granny Smith or whatever’s rolling around in the crisper)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (makes the apples pop, trust me)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (the darker, the deeper the flavor)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2/3 cup flour (all-purpose does the trick)
- 2/3 cup rolled oats (adds a nice nubby crunch)
- A pinch of salt (don’t leave out, it matters!)
- 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
If you’re feeling extra, sometimes I toss in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans. But hey, optional.
“I tried this recipe using Pink Lady apples and it turned out just right—sweet, tangy, and perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Now it’s my family’s must-have dessert for chilly nights.”
— Sarah, Lincoln, NE
How to Make Apple Crisp Step-by-Step
Real talk. Making apple crisp is easier than locating lost socks. Here’s how I do it (my mom’s way, with a little tweaking):
Start with peeling, coring, and slicing your apples, then toss them in lemon juice. Mix up brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl (I just eyeball it sometimes and it still works out). Pour this cozy blend over those apple slices in your baking dish.
Now, for the topping: Combine flour, oats, salt, and more brown sugar. Add cubed butter and squish it around with your fingers until it’s all crumbly (messy but fun). Scatter this over the apples, totally covering them.
Bake at 350°F for 45ish minutes (sometimes mine takes 50, ovens have moods). When the top’s golden and the apples are bubbly, it’s ready. That smell? It’ll drive everyone into the kitchen.
Let it cool a hot minute and serve it up. Warm with ice cream? Gotta do it.
More Tips and Notes for the Best Apple Crisp
Okay, you want your apple crisp to be next-level? Here are some personal tricks:
If your apples taste super sweet, drop the sugar back a bit in the filling. That way it’s not tooth-achingly sweet. Tart apples are my fave—they get jammy but tangy.
If you want it gluten-free, I’ve swapped regular flour for almond flour or a gluten-free blend. Didn’t even notice the difference.
Don’t skip the oats. I tried once (I was out, okay?) and it turned out like sweet mush. Not ideal.
For extra flavor, sprinkle just a bit of vanilla or toss in a splash of bourbon—no judgment.
Nothing’s sadder than an apple crisp with a soggy top, so use cold butter and check your oven’s temp.
If you like, check other varieties with my favorite moist cinnamon apple cake, or get inspired by this best apple pie—both are family favorites at my place.
More Apple Recipes You May Like
Hardcore apple fans, you’re in luck—there’s a whole world outside classic apple crisp. If you ever get tired of the same bowl (as if), here’s what else I love:
- Italian apple cake – seriously delightful morning treat (almost like having pie for breakfast)
- Apple pie filling recipe – so you can have pie ready on a Tuesday, why not?
- Apple pie tacos – these blew my mind and now they’re an end-of-summer staple
- Honeycrisp apple broccoli salad – it’s not dessert, but it might surprise you
For brain-foggy mornings, I even like to sneak apples into smoothies with this blueberry pineapple smoothie. The possibilities keep growing!
Video Tutorial
Sometimes words are just not enough. If you’re the type who likes to see the steps lined out in real-time (like, pause and rewind as often as needed), I’ve found that the little things—how the crumble’s supposed to look, or when those apples are exactly the right amount of soft—make all the difference. Watching someone do it once beats reading instructions six times. And figuring out if your apples are piled high enough? Way easier to see than guess.
Common Questions
Do I need to peel the apples for apple crisp?
I usually do, but honestly, it’s not a crime to leave the skins on if you like more texture.
Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yup, just pop it in the fridge before baking. Bring it to room temp before baking so it cooks evenly.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
I use the oven so the topping gets that crisp again. Microwave works but it does tend to soften the topping.
Can I use different fruits?
For sure! Pears or berries are fab. Sometimes I even mix apples and cherries.
Why does my topping come out mushy?
Probably your butter was too soft or you covered the pan. Cold butter and leaving it uncovered works best.
Let’s Get Baking! (No Excuses)
Anyway, that’s the scoop. Apple crisp literally ranks up there with top comfort food in my book, and it beats the pants off most other desserts for ease and flavor. For more inspiration, check out The Best Apple Crisp Recipe – Belle of the Kitchen. Or if you’re like me and can’t say no to trying something new, there’s a list of no-fuss apple desserts with all sorts of brilliant ideas. Still got apples left? Poke around here for even more ideas. So grab a bag of apples (not kidding) and make your kitchen smell like a five-star mountain lodge.
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For the filling
- 6 to 7 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or others) Use your favorite variety.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice Enhances apple flavor.
- ¾ cup brown sugar Darker sugar gives a deeper flavor.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For the topping
- ⅔ cup flour (all-purpose)
- ⅔ cup rolled oats Adds a nubby crunch.
- a pinch salt Essential for flavor.
- ½ cup butter, cold and cubed Keep it cold to avoid mushy topping.
- optional handful chopped walnuts or pecans For extra crunch and flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel, core, and slice the apples, then toss them in lemon juice.
- In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
- Pour this mixture over the sliced apples in a baking dish.
Topping
- In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, salt, and more brown sugar.
- Add the cubed butter and mix until crumbly.
- Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
