Buttery Apple Crisp Recipe

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Fall in love with this Apple Crisp Recipe! A simple, from-scratch, family favorite recipe that always goes over well regardless of who you’re serving it to, with a buttery kick! Similar to my Classic Apple Pie recipe.

Today I’m happy to be sharing this easy Apple Crisp Recipe. I love this dessert for so many reasons! I always have the ingredients on hand, it’s easy to throw together, it’s so so comforting, delicious any time of year, and is really really hard to screw up.

The Best Part About an Apple Crisp

I haven’t always loved the texture of baked apples (and cooked fruit in general), but the older I’ve gotten, the more I realized I could handle cooked fruit…as long as it had plenty of ‘cobbler’ or ‘crisp’ topping. That is, after all, the best part of cobblers and crisps, right? If it was socially acceptable to eat an apple crisp minus the apple, I totally would…and with vanilla ice cream too! But alas, that is not technically a dessert, so we add the apples. Still delicious!

Crumble vs Crisp: What’s the Difference?

Believe it or not, the only big difference between the two is oats! The topping for an apple crisp has oats and sometimes nuts, making it more ‘crispy’. The topping for an apple crumble is more of a streusel, made just with flour, sugar, and butter. Canada and the US make these distinctions between the two. In other countries, both terms are used interchangeably.

To turn this recipe into an Apple Crumble, simply omit the oats. Voila! Apple Crumble! Or see my super delish Salted Caramel Apple Crumble recipe.

How to Make Apple Crisp

This apple crisp recipe is pretty easy. Make the filling, make the topping and then bake. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy! But here are the nitty-gritty details.

1. Gather Apple Crisp Ingredients

Besides the Apples, the other ingredients you’ll need for the filling are granulated sugar, melted butter, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Fresh, cinnamony, buttery, and sweet. Perfection.

For the crisp topping, you’ll need all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cold butter, salt, and rolled oats. Sweetness balanced by salt and crispy buttery oats for the top.

What apples should I use for this recipe?

I prefer a tart granny smith apple for any apple cobbler, crisp or pie. It holds its shape well, isn’t too watery, doesn’t get mushy after baking, is always available, and is relatively inexpensive. Other great options would include Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.

2. Make Apple Filling

Butter your baking dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare your filling by peeling, coring, and slicing the apples. Toss with flour, sugar, melted butter, and lemon juice. Pour those into your prepared pan.

Do I have to peel the apples?

Of course you don’t HAVE to peel the apples but I much prefer them peeled, especially after they’re cooked. While the apples do get softer in the oven after baking, the apple peel is a little tough and texturally, it’s off-putting to me. However, if you like the skins on the apple then leave them on! Just don’t forget to core and cut them up, I’m pretty sure no one likes seeds in their Apple Crisp Recipe.

Is There a Certain Way to Cut the Apples?

Be sure to slice your apples thinly and evenly so they are able to bake all the way through. Crunchy apples do not a good apple crisp make.

3. Make Crisp Topping

For the topping, cut cold butter into flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, and oat mixture. Try adding nuts to your crisp topping for a nice crunch! Finish by mixing with your hands to bring it together.

Top the prepared apples with clumps of crisp topping and spread evenly.

A Note on Cutting the Butter In

You’re going to want to cut in the butter super well to the topping. Near the end I have you mix it with your hands to bring it all together. I know touching butter isn’t the nicest feeling but it is so worth it! There is no other way to know how well it’s mixed than by mixing with your hands. Don’t forget to take off any jewelry and wash your hands before mixing.

4. Bake + Serve

Bake 35-45 minutes or until the apples are soft. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and maybe even a drizzle of caramel sauce!

Do I Need to Cover While Baking?

You don’t need to cover the crisp while it is baking. The top should brown perfectly while protecting and baking the insides. If for some weird reason your top starts to brown too much, you can cover it with foil and finish baking.

Storing + Reheating Apple Crisp

Luckily for you, any leftover apple crisp can be stored and reheated for later. Simply cool it to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the microwave or back in the oven and top with desired toppings.

Freezing Instructions

You can also freeze this apple crisp recipe! I’d recommend making it in a disposable aluminum baking dish, then allow it to cool completely and double wrap in more foil. Freeze for up to three months! When you’re ready to reheat, do so in the oven until heated through. This can be anywhere from 15-40 minutes depending on if you bake from frozen or if you thawed it first. Either way works just fine!

Can I Make This Recipe in Advance?

Yes, you sure can! You can assemble the entire apple crisp up to 6 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Then pop into a preheated oven and bake.

More Apple Recipes to Try!

• Apple Oatmeal Cookies
• Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
• Apple Turnover with Caramel Sauce
• Cinnamon Apple Danish
• Apple Coffee Cake
• How to Make Gourmet Caramel Apples

Make sure to save this recipe by printing or pinning it! It is definitely one you’ll want to make this coming cold season! Have a great day.

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.