The Best Apple Crisp Ever {Recipe}

Apple crisp is an apple lover’s dream and the perfect fall dessert. Learn how to make the best apple crisp ever with simple pantry ingredients.

Can you feel it?

The slight drop in temps. The dew on the grass from temps dropping into the 50s at night. The desire to grab a sweater when going out for the evening. 

Friends, fall is around the corner. 

Or at least, it is here. I know that for many of you the days are still blistering hot and you are glaring at your screen and shooting daggers at me because I have the audacity to mention temps below 90. I’m sorry and please don’t hate me!

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. My birthday lands just as the seasons are changing so some years it’s still perfect summer weather and other years I’m rocking tall boots and a scarf. Usually it’s still the shorts and tank but occasionally I get to indulge 😉

There are a few fall traditions that I refuse to let pass me by and apple picking is one of those. We used to go to an orchard in town every year but what was once a hidden gem has now become a mecca for all and by the time we’ve gone the last couple years it’s been picked clean – even in early September! Drives me a little nuts. 

Thank goodness for friends! 

One of my dear, sweet, wonderful friends has several apple trees in her backyard and despite sending her three boys out to pick constantly they are still overloaded! I simply knew we could help her out and take a bag or two off her hands. The kids had a blast and I knew exactly what I would be using the apples for when we got home. 

Are you ready to make the best apple crisp EVER?

I’ve had LOADS of apple crisps over the years but I always come back to this recipe. I think it’s the ratio of crumb topping to apples and the texture of the topping. I want that topping in every bite of apple crisp I take. I also want a good balance between oatmeal and flour so it’s almost cookie like. This hits all the right notes. And it’s easy enough for the kids to help! 

If you can’t make it to an orchard for freshly picked apples you don’t need to miss out on this delectable dish. Grab a 5lb bag of your favorites – I usually opt for a sweeter variety than a tart variety – and make up a pan. I’ve even included freezer directions if you want to make several at the same time and save them for later!

What tools do you need to make apple crisp?

If you are awesome at peeling and coring apples, you could probably get away with a sharp knife, bowl and measuring spoons. I don’t have the hand or knife skills necessary to do this without causing serious bodily harm so I use the following items for making my apple crisp. I do keep a knife handy for any spots the peeler misses, but I mostly stick to the crank.

• Apple peeler/corer
• Small knife
• 9×13 glass baking pan
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups
• wooden spoon (or your hands)

What ingredients are needed for apple crisp?

• apples
• oatmeal
• flour
• brown sugar
• cinnamon
• sugar
• butter

The Best Apple Crisp Ever

Apple crisp is an apple lover’s dream and the perfect fall dessert. Learn how to make the best apple crisp ever with simple pantry ingredients.

4.50 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Servings 12

Equipment

• Apple peeler/corer
• Small knife
• 9×13 baking pan
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Wooden spoon

Ingredients

  

Apple filling

• 8 cups apples peeled, cored, and sliced thin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 TBSP sugar

Crumb Topping

• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup softened butter
• 2 cups oats quick-cooking or old fashioned

Optional Toppings

• vanilla ice cream
• whipped cream
• caramel sauce

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9×13 glass casserole dish.
• Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. I currently use an apple peeler/corer that suctions to the counter. I’ve got the Kitchen Aid attachment version in my Amazon Wish List so I can be done with the hand-cranking  You can also simply peel the skin off and slice the apple thinly by hand.
• Place apples in a 9×13 glass casserole dish.  Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of apples.
•  In large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, butter and oatmeal–working mixture together with hands.  Yes, your hands will get messy. A spoon simply doesn’t work as well!
• Spread oatmeal mixture evenly over the top of the apples, and bake at 350 for an hour. You can shorten the baking time by 10-15 minutes for slightly firmer apples. Keep an eye on the crisp to make sure it doesn’t burn. 
• Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel syrup, or all three! I’ve also sprinkled a little sea salt on with the caramel for a salted caramel apple crisp – amazing! 

Make-Ahead Instructions (2 options)

• Prepare as above in a glass 9×13 casserole dish or in a disposable foil pan. Thaw in fridge then bake as directed.
• Prepare the apples with cinnamon sugar in a large bowl. Prepare crumb topping. Store apples and crumb topping separately in freezer bags until ready to assemble apple crisp. Prepare as usual. 

Keyword baked goods

 What are your favorite parts of fall?

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