Easy Apple Crisp
This easy apple crisp recipe with oats features a saucy, cinnamon apple filling and a rich buttery topping. Easy to create and perfect for a crowd, it’s what dessert dreams are made of!
We love fall desserts like our easy pumpkin pie crisp and baked pumpkin donuts as much as the next person. However, we can’t forget about about apple recipes, too!
You just can’t beat the crisp texture and sweet flavor of fresh, in-season apples, after all. And this oatmeal apple crisp recipe is a true showstopper.
Crisp on the top, warm and bubbling in the center, and loaded with sweet, spiced flavor, it’s easy to make and just screams fall. Especially when served warm with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!
What’s the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble?
The main difference between the two desserts is the topping. A crumble is basically a crisp without oats in the topping.
Crisps are made with a fruit filling and a light, streusel topping that includes oats. On the other hand, crumbles are made with a similar fruit filling and a golden topping. However, crumbles feature a clumpier, more biscuit-like crumb topping made with butter, flour, and sugar.
Recipe Ingredients
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
For the Filling
- Apples – Make sure to peel the apples, and slice them into pieces.
- Maple Syrup – This provides just a touch of sweetness and extra depth without the need for refined sugar in teh filling.
- Flour – This helps thicken the filling, preventing it from running all over the place.
- Spices – Salt helps enhance the taste of the rest of the ingredients, and ground cinnamon adds extra warmth and depth.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds rich vanilla flavor. It’s definitely worth the splurge for pure vanilla extract, not imitation varieties! A little goes a long way, and you really can taste the difference.
For the Apple Crisp Topping
- Old-Fashioned Oatmeal – Use certified gluten-free oatmeal is you need to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Flour – This helps thicken the topping, allowing it to hold together. If needed, use a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour in both the filling and the topping.
- Light Brown Sugar – Sweetens the topping and adds a hint of molasses flavor.
- Cinnamon – Adds depth and ties the flavor of the topping in with the filling.
- Butter – Make sure it’s cold! This binds the ingredients, adds rich flavor, and helps the topping crisp up beautifully.
How to Make Apple Crisp with Oatmeal
- Prepare. Before you begin, preheat your oven, and grease a 9×13 or 3-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine the filling. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, maple syrup, flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Then, transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Create the topping. In the same bowl, whisk the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Then, use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the cold butter into the mixture until it’s crumbly. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake. Transfer the crisp to the oven, and bake until the apples are tender, the juices are bubbling up the sides, and the top is golden brown.
- Serve. Allow your baked apple crisp to cool slightly. Then, enjoy it warm topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, add a drizzle of caramel sauce, too!
Common Questions
The best apples for this recipe are firm and crisp and have a sweet-tart flavor. Some of our favorite options include Honeycrisp, Gala, Golden Delicious, or Granny Smith apples.
The most common reasons for a soggy apple crisp with oatmeal are using too much butter or using mushy apples.
Yes, you can prepare the crisp up to a day in advance. Just layer the ingredients, cover the baking dish, and store it in the fridge for up to one day. Then, bring the crisp to room temperature, and bake as normal when you’re ready to serve.
Once cool, you can cover the baking dish or transfer the apple crisp to an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yes! Let the crisp cool completely. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit just until warmed through.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
Filling
- 6 apples peeled and sliced ¼-½ thick (about 6 cups / 660 grams)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, cubed
- Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a 9×13 or 3 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the apples, maple syrup, flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.6 apples, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 Tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In the same large bowl, whisk together the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Using a pastry cutter or a fork, cut in (mix) the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over the apples and spread evenly.3/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal, 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, cubed
- Bake in the oven for 45-55 minutes or until the apples are soft, the juices are bubbling up the sides, and the topping is golden brown and crisp (see notes). If desired, serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
- Allow the apple crisp to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
