Easy Apple Crisp with Oat Topping (Classic Fall Dessert)

Warm cinnamon apples under a buttery, crunchy oat topping: this Easy Apple Crisp is fall dessert at its simplest and best. There’s no pie crust to roll and no fancy equipment. Just slice the apples, stir together a quick crumble, and let the oven fill your kitchen with that cozy apple-cinnamon smell.

It’s the kind of dessert that works for a weeknight treat and a holiday table alike. Serve it after a big bowl of crockpot cowboy soup, or add it to your fall baking lineup with this healthier pumpkin bread.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp

• 15 minutes of prep. Much easier than apple pie, with all the same cozy flavor.
• Extra crumble topping. A generous layer of buttery oats, brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Made with simple pantry staples. Flour, oats, sugar, butter and spices.
• Feeds a crowd. A 9×13 pan serves about 10, perfect for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the apple filling

• Apples: A mix is best. Granny Smith keeps its shape and adds tartness; Honeycrisp, Gala or Braeburn add sweetness.
• Brown and white sugar: Just enough to sweeten without hiding the apple flavor.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the filling and keeps apples from browning.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic warm fall spices.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the juices into a glossy sauce instead of a watery puddle.

For the crisp topping

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: For that chewy, crunchy texture. Avoid instant oats, which turn mushy.
• All-purpose flour and brown sugar: The base of the crumble.
• Cold butter: Cut in until the mixture forms big, buttery clumps.
• Cinnamon and a pinch of salt: Salt makes the sweet topping taste even better.

How to Make Easy Apple Crisp

1. Preheat and prep. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the filling. Peel and slice the apples about ¼ inch thick. Toss with sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch, then spread in the dish.
3. Make the topping. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until clumpy.
4. Top. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples, squeezing some into bigger clusters.
5. Bake. Bake 45–50 minutes, until the topping is deep golden and the filling bubbles at the edges.
6. Rest. Cool 15 minutes so the juices thicken, then serve warm.

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

• Slice evenly. Uniform slices bake at the same rate, so no crunchy raw bits.
• Use cold butter. It creates crispy clusters instead of a greasy, flat topping.
• Look for bubbles. Bubbling juices at the edges mean the cornstarch has done its job.
• Browning too fast? Loosely cover with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
• Add nuts. Toss ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping for extra crunch.

Make It Your Own

• Apple cranberry crisp: Add 1 cup fresh cranberries to the filling for a festive holiday version.
• Caramel apple crisp: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over each serving.
• Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Slow cooker apple crisp: Assemble in a greased crockpot and cook on HIGH 2–2½ hours with a paper towel under the lid to catch steam.

How to Serve Apple Crisp

Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of heavy cream. It also makes a lovely brunch treat with a cup of coffee. Looking for more snack-time ideas? Browse these easy healthy snack recipes.

Storage and Reheating

Cover and keep at room temperature for 1 day, or refrigerate up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, or warm the whole dish at 350°F for 15 minutes to re-crisp the topping. You can freeze baked apple crisp, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best apples for apple crisp?

Use a mix of tart and sweet: Granny Smith with Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn or Pink Lady. Avoid Red Delicious, which turns mealy.

What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

Traditionally, a crisp has oats in the topping, while a crumble is usually just flour, sugar and butter. Both are delicious.

Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble it up to 1 day ahead, cover and refrigerate, then add 5–10 minutes to the bake time. Or bake it fully and reheat before serving.

Do I have to peel the apples?

No. Unpeeled apples add color and fiber, though the skins stay slightly chewy after baking.

More Cozy Fall Recipes You’ll Love

• Healthier Pumpkin Bread
• Crockpot Cowboy Soup
• Homemade Green Bean Casserole
• 10 Easy and Healthy Snack Recipes
• 10 Cozy Soup Recipes for Fall

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Prep: 15 min | Bake: 45–50 min | Servings: 10

Ingredients

Filling

• 8 medium apples (about 4 lb), peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Topping

• 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) cold butter, cubed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Toss apples with sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch. Spread in the dish.
3. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in butter until clumpy.
4. Sprinkle topping over the apples.
5. Bake 45–50 minutes until golden and bubbling. Cool 15 minutes and serve warm.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving, without ice cream): about 360 calories, 3 g protein, 60 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 14 g fat.

Love easy fall desserts? Save this apple crisp to your Pinterest dessert board for the holidays!