Apple crisp is a recipe that has stood the test of time. A classic in many families.
A good way to use up apples after picking or to make as a dessert… and in some cases, breakfast.
Classic apple crisp uses apples tossed in sugar and then topped with a crumble or streusel that gets crispy during baking. This usually involves lots of flour and butter cut together like pastry.
But I prefer easy and so I made an easier crisp topping that comes out more like a dough that drops in dollops and the butter is melted and poured over the top. Oats make the topping crunchy.
Gluten free flour options like coconut flour or almond flour are great. You can also find gluten free all-purpose flour. I used almond flour and it tasted amazing.
Why You’ll Love This Warm Apple Crisp
Tender apples coated in cinnamon and sugar and baked to perfection with a delicious oat crumble- what’s not to love!
- Full of warm spices – With cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger, these spices are my favorite way to enhance apple season.
- Use up those fall apples – After apple picking, we always have a million apples to use up; this homemade apple crisp is a great way to use them up!
- Easy to make – The whole thing is prepped and ready to go in the oven in only fifteen minutes!
Best Types of Apples to Use for Apple Crisp
It really depends on your tastes. Many people prefer a tart apple to balance the sweet flavors, but some people just love more sweet! You can also use a variety of apple flavors for different taste sophistication.
- Golden Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Red Delicious
- Gala
- Pink Ladies
Whether or not you peel your apples will also depend on the type. I used pink ladies, which typically have a soft skin and don’t really require peeling. This is also personal preference.
Ingredients
You can easily find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store if you don’t already have them on hand.
- Apples – You can’t have an apple crisp without apples! Make sure they are cored and cut into slices. Check the section above for my suggestions on what apples to use for the apple filling.
- Lemon juice – Believe it or not, lemon juice helps to slow down the browning process of the apples. It also adds a little acidity to apple desserts.
- White sugar – Although apples themselves are sweet, we need a little added sugar to make this the best apple crisp.
- Apple pie spice – This is simply a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. You can buy it at the store or make your own homemade apple pie spice.
- Almond flour – This can be substituted for gluten free all-purpose flour, regular all-purpose flour or coconut flour if you’d prefer.
- Quick oats – This will be the base for the crunchy topping. Oats add flavor and texture to this apple crumble.
- Brown sugar – I love the warmth and flavor that brown sugar adds to apple recipes like this one.
- Baking powder – When added to this apple crumble topping, baking powder helps to ensure a light and tender texture.
- Fine sea salt – Salt always helps to bring out the flavors of baked goods. If using salted butter, you can omit this.
- Eggs – Lightly beaten eggs are what helps to hold this oat crumb topping together.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla brings a warmth to this easy apple crisp recipe, making the end result even more delicious and desirable.
- Unsalted butter – I always prefer to use unsalted butter when baking. If using salted butter, just omit the added salt above so that it’s not too salty.
How to Make Easy Apple Crisp
You can have this easy recipe prepped and in the oven in only 15 minutes!
- Prepare oven and pan. Preheat oven and coat a medium baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Toss apples. In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, white sugar and cinnamon. Pour into baking dish and set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients. In the same mixing bowl, stir together almond flour with brown sugar, fine sea salt, ground cinnamon, baking powder and oats.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mix until uniformly wet.
- Pour on top of the apples. Using a spoon, dollop on top of apple mixture until fully covered.
- Top with melted butter. Pour melted butter over the oat topping.
- Bake. Cook, uncovered, until the top is golden brown and puffy.
- Allow to cool. Remove and allow to cool before serving.
- Serve with toppings. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or caramel sauce.
Toppings
There are plenty of ways you can top this easy apple crisp. Here are a few of my favorite ways:
- Ice cream – I prefer a nice vanilla bean ice cream, but caramel ice cream or even butter pecan ice cream would be a great option too.
- Sauces – Desserts sauce are one of my favorite things. Think something like caramel sauce, white chocolate syrup, bourbon sauce or peanut butter sauce.
- Whipped cream – You could use something like Cool Whip, whipped cream out of a can, or make your own homemade whipped cream.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: You can store any leftover apple crisp in the refrigerator. Wrap in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to five days.
Freezing: This apple crisp can also be frozen. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any type of crisp is generally best eaten the day it is made and right out of the oven. The crisp topping, even when we use oats instead of a pastry topping, will start to get soggy and never totally regain the texture.
It is easy! Simply chop up your apples, either into chunks or slices. Peeling is strictly a matter of preference. Toss your apples with a little lemon juice to prevent browning and then sugar to keep them sweet while baking. Transfer them to a baking dish. Mix together the oat topping using your flour of choice, gluten free or not, and then dollop onto the apples. You can use almond extract instead of vanilla if you prefer. You can even get crazy and use both! Melt butter and pour it over the crisp topping and apples. Bake and you are ready to eat!
Other Desserts That Use Apples
- Caramel Apple Poke Cake
- Apple Monkey Bread
- Easy Apple Dumplings
- Paleo Apple Crisp
- Apple Pie Egg Rolls
Homemade Apple Fritters
The Best Apple Pie
Easy Caramel Apple Recipe
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Apples:
- 6 medium apples , cored and cut into 1 inch slices
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
Oat Topping:
- 1 cup almond flour*
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 2 eggs , lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a medium baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, sugar and apple pie spice.
- Transfer to the baking dish and set aside.
- In the same mixing bowl (no need to make another one dirty), stir together the almond flour with brown sugar, salt, apple pie spice, baking powder and oats.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mix until uniformly wet.
- Using a spoon, dollop on top of the apple mixture until fully covered.
- Pour the melted butter over the oat topping.
- Cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and puffy.
- Remove and allow to cool for 20 minutes before serving.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or caramel sauce.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
I’m drooling over this fabulous apple crisp. It’s so easy to make that I know family will be asking for it often.
This is a really good recipe! The apples are so sweet and tender, and the crisp topping is perfect. This is my new favorite apple crisp recipe.
Such a classic for good reason! I agree the bit of almond flour in there is great for flavor and texture – a trick I like to do in other desserts, too! Yummy.
I love apples, Truly amazing in taste and flavors in this recipe. Will definitely make again.
I love a good apple crisp recipe and this is one of the best! Delicious!
My kids love this recipe and we make it often its yummy everyone should try this!