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This easy homemade apple crisp recipe is one of the coziest fall desserts you can bake! It’s packed with warm cinnamon-spiced apples, a sweet, buttery flavor, and topped with a golden oat crumble that adds the perfect crunch. No pie crust needed—just slice, layer, bake, and enjoy every gooey, crunchy bite.
If you love fruit crisps as much as I do, try my easy cherry crisp and canned peach crisp too!
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This recipe was incredible—the best comfort food dessert! I served it with coffee ice cream and could not get enough. Will be making this again.
– Lily
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp
Easier than pie: No crust, no fuss, just slice, layer, and bake. It’s cozy, classic, and so simple to make. (And if you love easy fall treats like this, check out my favorite fall desserts too!)
Buttery oat topping bliss: The brown sugar-oat crumble bakes golden and crisp, and melted butter poured on top takes it over the top.
Smells like fall, tastes like home: Warm cinnamon apples make your kitchen smell amazing and bring instant comfort. For another comforting favorite, don’t miss my easy apple cake, it’s like fall in a slice.
Flexible + foolproof: Use any apples, add nuts or vanilla, this recipe always turns out delicious and crowd-pleasing.
Apple Crisp Ingredients
Apples: Any variety works, but I love a mix of Granny Smith (tart) and Honeycrisp or Fuji (sweet) for depth of flavor. Peel and thinly slice them so they bake evenly. Variation: Try pears or mix in a handful of cranberries for a twist!
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the filling so it’s not too runny.
Swap: Use a little flour or arrowroot powder if you’re out of cornstarch.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the apples just enough without overpowering them.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth, use pure vanilla for the best flavor.
Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon brightens the filling and balances the sweetness. Pro tip: It also prevents your apples from browning as you prep.
Brown Sugar: Brings a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the topping that pairs perfectly with apples.
Rolled Oats: The star of the crisp topping! They bake into a golden, crunchy layer. No oats? Use crushed graham crackers or chopped nuts for texture.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps hold the topping together and gives it structure.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Cozy fall spices that make your kitchen smell amazing and your crisp taste like autumn.
Butter: Cold, cubed butter is key to creating that crumbly topping. And a little extra melted over the top? Chef’s kiss.
How to Make an Apple Crisp
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Always a good place to start so it’s hot and ready when you are.
Peel and thinly slice your apples. I like using a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for that perfect balance of tart and sweet. Slice them about ¼” thick so they bake evenly.
Make the apple filling. Toss the sliced apples in a large bowl with a spoonful of cornstarch (for thickening), sugar, lemon juice, and a splash of vanilla extract. It smells amazing already!
Mix the crisp topping. In another bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Add cold cubed butter and use your hands to mix it all into a crumbly texture, it’s a little messy, but so worth it.
Assemble the crisp. Layer the apples evenly in a buttered skillet or baking dish. Then sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the apples, making sure every inch is covered.
Bake! Place the skillet on a baking sheet (just in case it bubbles over!) and bake for about 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
Finish with melted butter. This is my little signature move: pour ½ cup of melted butter over the top after it bakes for the most irresistible, buttery finish.
Recipe Tips
While slicing and peeling the apples, place them in a large bowl filled with cold lemon water. This way they won’t brown as you’re slicing and peeling all 5 apples.
Pour the melted butter over the top after the crisp is baked. This adds even more flavor to the apple crisp.
You can use a sheet pan or a square pan to bake an apple crips as well. This is an easy dessert and what you bake it in won’t change the flavor or texture too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many types of apples can be used to make apples crisp, but some are better than others. Some recommended varieties include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Jonathan apples. These apples have a good balance of sweet and tart flavors and hold up well when baked.
It’s all in the topping! A crisp has oats (and sometimes nuts); a crumble skips the oats; a cobbler uses biscuit-like dough. So ours is a good ol’ oatsy apple crisp!
If it’s too soupy, it’s probably still warm. Let it cool—at least 30–60 minutes—and the juices will thicken up nicely thanks to that starch.
More Desserts You’ll Love
If you’re as obsessed with fall baking as I am, be sure to check out my favorite pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin bread!
Let me know if you make this recipe for apple crisp by leaving a comment and review below! I’d love to know your thoughts! Happy Baking!
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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (with Buttery Oat Topping)
Ingredients
Apple Crisp Filling
- 5 green apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Crisp Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel and thinly slice the apples.
- Mix the sliced apples, corn starch, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl and mix using a spatula until the ingredients are combined.
- In another mixing bowl add in the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cubed butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- Mix the topping with your hands until it becomes a crumble texture.
- In a round skillet layer the apples evenly until the bottom is filled. Then add a second layer over until you run out of apples.
- Crumble the apple crisp topping over the top of the apples, covering all of them.
- Place the skillet on a baking sheet and in the oven for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.The apples will be tender and the topping should be brown and crispy.
- Melt the 1/2 cup butter and pour it all over the top of the crisp.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was incredible, the best comfort food dessert, I served it with coffee ice cream and could not get enough! Will be making this again.
I love the smell of my house when I make this! It screams fall & I can’t wait!! It’s always a hit!
I am so ready for apple season! This crisp is incredible, I only wish I made a double batch!