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A simple list of ingredients that come together in under an hour!

My easy apple crisp combines lightly spiced apples with a crispy oat pecan topping. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream!

apple crisp in a white bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top sitting on a counter with apple and baking dish in the background.

This homemade apple crisp recipe captures all the best flavors of fall, but it can easily be enjoyed throughout the year. In fact, it’s perfect for last-minute entertaining since the ingredient list consists mostly of pantry staples!

Looking for something a little more show-stopping? Try this rustic tart with an extra flaky crust — it only takes about 30 minutes to put together before it goes in the oven.

I’ve also got a tender bundt cake that’s dotted with tart apples and crunchy walnuts, or a crumble pie recipe featuring a cinnamon streusel topping!

Key ingredients & substitutions for Easy Apple Crisp

  • Apples — I love the tart flavor of Granny Smith, but Honeycrisp or Fuji are delicious as well. I also like to peel mine, but if you’d rather leave it on, just give your fruit a good wash to remove any dirt or wax.
  • Oats — You’ll want the regular old-fashioned variety for this homemade apple crisp recipe — not quick cook or steel cut.
  • Pecans — These will get nice and toasty in the oven, so there’s no need to toast them beforehand. Walnuts are a wonderful substitute, or you can substitute extra oats for a nut-free version.

tip

  • Use softened butter for the crisp topping for easier blending. Since the amount is so small, I recommend cubing it into the bowl and letting it sit while you peel and slice the apples. It should be good to go by the time you’re done!

How to make this homemade apple crisp recipe?

steps for preparing apple crisp: sliced apples in baking dish; sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon; combine ingredients for crumble topping.

STEP 1 | Prep the apples

Keep your slices on the thinner side so they become nice and tender when baked. Also, be sure the slices are of even thickness so they have a consistent texture when baked.

STEP 2 | Make the topping

Since the butter is already softened, use a fork or pastry cutter to blend it into the dry ingredients — otherwise, the heat from your fingers will soften it further. It should have a crumbly texture and there should be no more loose flour at the bottom of the bowl.

STEP 3 | Assemble

Toss the apples with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon right in your greased baking dish. Spread them into an even layer, then sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the top.

STEP 4 | Bake

When it’s ready, the top will be golden brown and the apples will be tender. If you can’t easily stick a fork into the slices in the center, pop it back in for a few minutes and check again. You may need to cover the top with foil so it doesn’t burn while you wait for the fruit to finish baking.

apple crisp in a baking dish with a serving missing in the corner.

Special supplies

  • 2-quart Baking Dish — This one is my favorite! Not only is it the perfect size for this easy apple crisp, but it works well for small casseroles, scalloped potatoes, or roasted vegetables!
  • Pastry blender — Cuts in butter quickly and efficiently while keeping your fingers clean.
  • Peeler — Not only does is the handle comfortable in your hand, but it removes the skin off of your produce in seconds.
a bowl of apple crisp sitting on a white napkin with spoons in the background.

Frequently asked questions

What are good apples for baking?

Choice of fruit really comes down to flavor preference, but it’s important to keep texture in mind as well. Granny Smith are considered the gold standard for apple desserts because the tart flavor balances out the sugar and they hold their shape very well.

Honeycrisp is another popular choice, though it is a bit sweeter. Braeburn, Pink Lady, Jonagold, and Golden Delicious will also hold their shape, and they do well combined with one or two other varietie

What size is a 2-quart baking dish?

Mine measures 10 x 6 and is 2 inches tall, but the standard size is 8 x 8 inches. You could also use a 9-inch round cake pan, but a standard pie dish will be too shallow. I also find that glass or ceramic bakeware works better than metal for this homemade apple crisp recip

How do I store leftovers?

Cover tightly with foil or transfer the dessert to an airtight container. It will be good for up to a week in the refrigerator, though the topping will soften over time.

Let the pan sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before reheating in the oven so it doesn’t crack. Or, simply warm individual servings in a microwave.

apple crisp in a white bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top sitting on a counter with apple and baking dish in the background.

Serving suggestions

Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and dig right in! A drizzle of caramel sauce over the top would make this easy apple crisp extra indulgent.

This post is part of Fall Flavors Week, a yearly event to celebrate the best fall ingredients with delicious recipes. Keep scrolling for more fall flavors recipes by my blogging friends below the recipe card.

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Your shares are how this site grows and I appreciate each one. Do you know someone who would enjoy this recipe? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or on your favorite Pinterest board!

apple crisp in a white bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top sitting on a counter.

Easy Apple Crisp

My easy apple crisp combines lightly spiced apples with a crispy oat pecan topping. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Pies & Pastries
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 281 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 3 – 4 large Granny Smith apples peeled and thinly sliced, about 5 cups
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, and pecans. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture. Use a fork or pastry blender to combine the mixture until you have coarse crumbs.
  • Lightly coat a 2-quart baking dish (10 x 6 x 2-inch)  with cooking spray. Add the apples, lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon to the dish and toss gently to coat.
  • Evenly sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the apples. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes or until the  apples are tender and the top is crisp and golden. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Video

Notes

  • Use softened butter for the crisp topping for easier blending.
  • Store leftovers covered tightly with foil or transfer the dessert to an airtight container. It will be good for up to a week in the refrigerator, though the topping will soften over time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 7mgFiber: 4gSugar: 28g

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword apples, crumble, dessert, easy recipe, fruit crisp, pie
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was.

Welcome to #FallFlavors where more than 25 food bloggers are sharing recipes with favorite Fall flavors. Our sponsors, Millican Pecan, Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor & Colledge, Nairn’s, and Republic of Tea, have furnished participating bloggers with complimentary product to use in their recipe creations that they will be sharing this week.

These same sponsors have generously offered prizes for our giveaway so be sure to enter and share with your friends so they can enter too. Be sure to follow our Fall Flavors Pinterest account for more inspiration.

More #FallFlavors Recipes Below:

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#Six (6) winners will be randomly selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #FallFlavors bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway and the contest is open only to US residents. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #FallFlavors posts or entries. Thank you to our sponsors Millican Pecan Company, Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor & Colledge, Republic of Tea, and Nairn’s for providing prizes.

Sheila Thigpen, blogger

About Sheila Thigpen

Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer

Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.

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