Cozy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp – Perfect Fall Dessert

Indulge in old-fashioned comfort with this easy apple crisp recipe. Loaded with sliced apples and a crispy, cinnamon oat topping, this nostalgic dessert comes together in just 10 minutes of prep and bakes to warm, fruity perfection in under an hour.

What Type of Apples Work Best?

The best apples for apple crisp are baking apples that hold their shape well. Choose tart, firm varieties like Granny Smith, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Avoid soft, sweet apples like Red Delicious, as they won’t hold up during baking. Slicing the apples thinly, about 1/4 inch, helps them maintain their texture in the oven.

Quick or Old Fashioned Oats?

You can use either quick cooking oats or old-fashioned oats for the topping. Quick oats yield a crunchier texture, while old-fashioned oats provide a rustic, hearty feel. Just avoid instant oats, as they are too finely ground.

How to Achieve Perfect Crisp Topping?

To achieve a light, crunchy topping, avoid overworking the oat mixture and keep the butter very cold. Quickly cut the chilled butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or forks. Keep the topping loose and crumbly, and don’t press it down when topping the fruit for the best texture.

What to Serve with Warm Apple Crisp?

Warm apple crisp is delightful on its own but pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. For a fall twist, try maple or butter pecan ice cream. Drizzling with caramel sauce or serving with vanilla yogurt makes it a great breakfast treat too!

Ingredients

• 4 cups sliced apples (about 2 pounds), preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled if desired
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the Apple Mixture:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 6 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder until well combined. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. In another bowl, toss apple slices with melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and flour until evenly coated.
4. Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Top with the oat crumble mixture.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
6. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired!

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

• Use firm, sweet apples that hold their shape well during baking.
• Toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Keep butter chilled when cutting it into the flour for the best results.
• For a crunchy topping, avoid packing down the crumble mixture.
• If the topping browns too quickly, loosely tent foil over the crisp, removing it during the last 5-10 minutes for more browning.
• Let the crisp rest for 10 minutes before serving to help the filling set up. Serve warm for the best experience!