This is the best apple crisp recipe! It’s tender baked apples spiced with cinnamon and topped with a buttery oat crumble that bakes into a beautiful golden crust. It’s the perfect cosy, old-fashioned dessert that everyone loves. It’s simple, comforting, and made with basic ingredients you’re likely to have on hand already.
This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, making it a great option for both beginner and confident home cooks. You don’t need any fancy techniques, just a bowl, a baking dish, and a few pantry staples. The apples soften into a warm, spiced filling while the topping bakes into a crisp layer that’s buttery and delicious.
It’s the kind of dessert that feels impressive without being complicated. That’s why it’s my go-to dessert for any occasion. You can have it on the table in under an hour, and it pairs perfectly with cream, yoghurt, or a scoop of ice cream.
If you’re looking for a simple recipe that always works, this apple crisp is one to keep in your collection!
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Ingredients & Substitutions
- Apples: Use firm, slightly tart apples, such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, Royal Gala, or Pink Lady, for the best flavour and texture. My favourite is Royal Gala. Avoid soft varieties as they can turn mushy.
- Brown sugar: Adds a lovely caramel-like sweetness to the apples while they cook. You can use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavour, or swap it for coconut sugar.
- Cinnamon: You can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra spice if you like.
- All-purpose flour: For a gluten-free option, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Baking powder
- Butter: I use salted but either is fine. Add a pinch of salt if you’re using unsalted butter. This can’t be replaced with margarine or oil.
- White granulated sugar: Sweetens the crumble topping. You could replace it with raw sugar or caster sugar.
- Rolled oats: Gives the topping that classic crisp texture. Avoid quick oats as they can make the topping too soft.
Recipe Tips
- If your apples are very sweet, reduce the sugar slightly to avoid the dessert being overly sweet.
- For extra crunch, stir a handful of chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) into the crumble topping.
- Don’t skip rubbing the butter into the flour, this step gives you that proper crumbly texture.
- Let the apple crisp sit for 5–10 minutes before serving so the juices settle slightly.
- This recipe works great for doubling or tripling. Perfect if you’re baking for a big group as it always disappears quickly!
How to Make The Best Apple Crisp
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Step 2: Peel, core, and slice the apples, then layer them into a pie dish or a 20x20cm (8×8 inch) oven-proof dish.
Step 3: Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the apples, then pour in the water. This helps keep them juicy while baking.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add the cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until it’s relatively combined. There will be bigger chunks of butter…that’s what you want. Take your time as this step makes all the difference for a crumbly, buttery topping.
Step 5: Rub in the white sugar, then add the rolled oats. Mix until everything is combined into a rough crumble mixture. I like to use my hands for this step too.
Step 6: Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples, ensuring they are fully covered.
Step 7: Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are soft when tested with a fork.
Step 8: Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of yoghurt
Storage Instructions
Leftover apple crisp keeps well, which makes it handy for baking ahead. Once cooled, keep it in the fridge for 4–5 days – it reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven.
You can also freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I like to freeze individual portions so I can grab one when I fancy a quick treat. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it through before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples to use for apple crisp?
Firm, slightly tart apples such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, Royal Gala, or Pink Lady work best. They hold their shape and balance the sweetness of the topping.
Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble it up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Add an extra 5–10 minutes of baking time if starting from cold.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely. Just use a gluten-free flour blend and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.
Can I freeze apple crisp?
Yes, once baked and cooled, freeze in portions or as a whole dish. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven until warmed through.
What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
They’re very similar! Apple crisp usually includes oats in the topping, giving it that extra crunchy texture, while crumble is typically made without oats.
More Crisp & Crumbles
- Rhubarb Apple Crumble
- Basic Crumble Topping (Freeze for fruit crumbles)
- The Easiest Cherry Crisp You’ll Ever Make
Best Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples peeled, cored & sliced
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar light
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅔ cup butter room temperature, cubed (160g)
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 cup rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Peel, core, and slice the apples, then layer them into a pie dish or a 20x20cm (8×8 inch) oven-proof dish.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the apples, then pour in the water. This helps keep them juicy while baking.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add the cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until it’s relatively combined. There will be bigger chunks of butter…that’s what you want. Take your time as this step makes all the difference for a crumbly, buttery topping.
- Rub in the white sugar, then add the rolled oats. Mix until everything is combined into a rough crumble mixture. I like to use my hands for this step too.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples, ensuring they are fully covered.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are soft when tested with a fork.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of yoghurt.
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated with new images and content to make it even better!
