Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

This Easy Apple Crisp is the best apple crisp recipe you will ever try! Apple desserts are always a crowd pleaser and this easy baked apple recipe is made using fresh apples, sugar and spice and buttery golden apple crisp topping.

the best apple crisp recipe

Fall is my favorite time of the year, hands down and it’s all because of apple crisp!

In other places, people have their winter gear on but here in Florida we are hanging strong at a cool, crisp 93 DEGREES!!! 

I know … I’m complaining about my Pina Colada melting and you are breaking your back shoveling snow. We each have our own struggles.

Want to know one thing that doesn’t care what the outside temperature is? .. this apple crisp recipe!

When I say this is the BEST apple crisp recipe you will ever try, I know those are bold words but I stand behind them.

This easy apple dessert is made using two different kinds of fresh apples, baked tender and perfectly spiced.

And the apple crisp topping? This bowl of apple yumminess has a buttery old fashioned crisp topping of sugar and oats that is crispy and baked to golden brown perfection.

Go ahead.. tell me how important the outside weather is right about now 🙂

Know what else goes with apple crisp? Bourbon Salted Caramel Sauce … yup, totally went there!

why this is the best apple crisp recipe

• This easy crisp recipe is made using two different fresh apples both for flavor and consistency.
• Apple desserts are a crowd pleasing favorite so your odds of making everyone in the room happy are considerable.
• Tender, warm, comforting comfort food right here!
• Baked apple recipes are a super tasty vehicle to transport ice cream to your mouth.
• This recipe is easier to make than homemade apple pie plus there is APPLE CRISP TOPPING.
• The apple crisp topping is MY favorite part so this apple crisp recipe has more topping than a lot of other crisp recipes.
• Perfect for potlucks, parties and holiday dinners, this easy apple dessert is comfort food at it’s BEST!
• There is no need to cook the apples before baking them and that makes this apple dessert recipe easy and a time saver.

apple crisp ingredients

Let’s look at what ingredients you will need to make this baked apple dessert:

• Fresh apples – Red Delicious and Granny Smith
• Sugar
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• All purpose flour
• Old fashioned oats
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon and a dash of salt
• Squeeze of lemon
• Pecans 

how to make apple crisp

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with non-stick spray or grease with butter.

Peel and slice apples into 1/4 inch slices and add apples to a large mixing bowl.

To the apples, add 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, water, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, a squeeze of lemon and salt then mix to combine.

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, oats and flour. Using a sharp knife, cut the cold butter into small pieces.

Add the cut up cold butter to the flour mixture and using your fingers, fork or pastry cutter, cut or rub butter into the flour mixture until it comes together to form crumbles.

Stir in chopped pecan pieces to your crumble topping.

Transfer your apples to your prepared baking pan. 

Sprinkle the apple crisp topping evenly over the apples.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. 

Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.. (ice cream is optional but highly recommended).

pro tips for perfect easy apple crisp

• When it comes to peeling apples or not peeling apples for this easy apple dessert recipe, follow your heart. It’s personal preference so if the skins don’t bother you, save yourself the step.
• When slicing your apples, try to keep them all the same width for even cooking. How wide is 1/4 inch? I’m not breaking out the ruler to measure each apple slice but basically you don’t want them too thin or too thick .. too thin and your apple slices will over bake and be too tender.. too thick and they won’t cook enough and will be too hard.
• Are pecans necessary in the apple crisp topping? No, feel free to leave the pecans out of the crisp topping if you would like. But does it take the apple crisp topping to the next level?.. um, yes it does!!
• I had no idea making a homemade apple crisp could be so easy and so painfully scrumptious right out of my very own oven. I say ‘painfully’ because guess who couldn’t wait for the apple crisp to cool down slightly .. from the temperature of molten lava?… (sigh) #burnedtongue … don’t be like me, wait for the crisp to cool a bit before serving.
• You can also use a food processor to make your crisp topping. Simply add the butter, flour and brown sugar to the food processor and pulse to combine. Don’t full on let ‘er rip, pulse quickly to create crumbles. Transfer to mixing bowl and stir in the oats and pecans by hand.

what are the best apples to use for baking?

When you are making this easy apple crisp recipe or any other apple desserts, a combination of tart and sweet apples work best.

Try a combination of Empire, Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith (my favorite!) or Honey Crisp apples for best results.

can crisp be made ahead of time?

This homemade crisp freezes well for up to 3 months. Simply prepare as directed and freeze in a freezer to oven baking pan.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a 350°F (177°C) for 20 minutes or until heated through.

However, I do not suggest preparing the crisp and storing it, unbaked, in the refrigerator because the topping will get soggy and mushy and that is never good.

more apple dessert recipes

• Dutch Apple Pie Bites
• Apple Cranberry Slab Pie
• Apple Walnut Pie

So while you are out with that big shovel clearing out your driveway from four feet of new fallen snow, know that you will have a bowl of warm apple crisp waiting for you inside. 

Now, I’m going to make another batch of frozen drinks while you print out this recipe. Be safe and enjoy your cooler weather.

Signed, Jealous Girl in Rhinestone Flip Flops

ENJOY ♥ HEATHER