Easy Apple Crisp

Apple picking season is here, which means you'll have lots of apples to make Apple Crisp! This popular fall dessert is one of the easiest recipes out there with tons of flavor.

Within minutes of popping this in the oven, the delicious baked apple smell will make it's way through your space. It's best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Ingredients for the Apple Mixture

Here are some ingredient notes to make the delicious apple crisp filling.

• Apples: I like to make a Honey Crisp apple crisp, since they will hold their shape when baked. Other great options are Fuji and Granny Smith; be sure to choose an apple variety that's crispy and somewhat tart. You can use just one variety, or a mixture of apple varieties for an added depth of flavor. Peel, core, and slice the apples into similar sized slices for even baking.
• Sugar: Just a little bit of granulated sugar for the apple filling.
• Cinnamon: A warming spice to flavor the mixture.

Ingredients for the Crumble Topping

This crumble topping is the best part! It's sweet and crispy and perfectly complements the baked apple mixture.

• Flour: All-purpose flour for the apple crisp topping. If making this gluten-free, be sure to use gluten free flour.
• Oats: Use old-fashioned oats to give the crispy topping some added texture. If making this gluten free, be sure to use gluten free oats.
• Brown Sugar: Either light or dark brown sugar to sweeten the topping. Using brown sugar gives it that nice toffee-like flavor and crisps up nicely.
• Salt: To round out the flavors.
• Cinnamon: More cinnamon in the topping for added flavor.
• Butter: You'll mix melted butter with all these other ingredients. This is what makes the crispy streusel topping crumble together.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Apple crisp is very easy to make, even easier than pie. It only takes about 15 minutes to prep before baking and you likely already have these ingredients in your pantry. To make this recipe:

1. Preheat the oven. Start by preheating the oven to 350°. Grease an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with butter or oil. Set aside.
2. Make the crumble topping. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Drizzle the melted butter over the oat mixture. Using a fork, mix the topping until small crumbles form and all the dry ingredients are moistened. Refrigerate while you make the apple mixture to allow the crumbles to set.
3. Make the apple mixture. In a large bowl combine the apple slices, granulated sugar, and cinnamon until all the slices are coated. Place in the greased baking dish and spread out evenly.
4. Bake. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the filling. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the topping is golden and crispy and the filling is bubbling.
5. Serve. This apple crisp is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could also enjoy it at room temperature or cold. Whatever you prefer!

Apple Crisp Variations

Though this classic fall dessert is delicious as is, here are some variations to customize it.

• Make it vegan. In place of the butter in the topping, use vegan butter.
• Add nuts. You can add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping mixture.
• Add another fruit. Use one less apple and add a cup of cranberries. Or use 2 less apples and add two sliced pears.

Serving Suggestions

My favorite way to serve apple crisp is warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could also use a scoop of greek yogurt or whipped cream if you prefer.

Store this apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The best way to reheat it is in a preheated oven at 350° until warm, about 10-15 minutes. You could also reheat in the microwave until warm, but the crumble topping won't get as crispy.

More Fall Recipes

• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
• Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
• Sweet Potato and Kale Quinoa Bowls
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Apple Cinnamon Granola

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