Dessert

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe

Byluca Carter January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

Introduction

Old fashioned apple crisp is the ultimate fall dessert that delivers cozy goodness in each bite. Tender apples are blanketed in a crispy, cinnamon-spiced topping, making this classic treat a celebration of seasonal flavors. This simple recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for sharing on cool autumn evenings.

This image shows a clear glass baking dish filled with a two-layer dessert. The bottom layer is soft, cooked apple slices mixed with a shiny, caramel-like sauce, warm in golden brown and amber colors. The top layer is a thick crumbly oat topping with a golden-brown and light tan mix, scattered with oats for texture. In the center of the oat layer, there is a dollop of smooth, white cream. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, with a wooden spoon nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 apples, thinly sliced (around 6 cups)
¼ cup light brown sugar (for apples)

½ teaspoon cinnamon (for apples)
½ cup all-purpose flour (or oat flour for gluten-free option)

½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
⅔ cup light brown sugar (for topping)

½ teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

⅓ cup butter, softened

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly butter a baking dish that is 8, 9, or 10 inches in size.
Step 2: Place the sliced apples in the baking dish. Evenly sprinkle ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon over the apples, then mix well with your hands to coat.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, ⅔ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the softened butter and blend using a fork or your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Step 4: Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
Step 5: Bake for 30 to 32 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.

Step 6: Serve warm, optionally with ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Tips & Variations

If the butter isn’t soft enough to mix easily with the dry ingredients, microwave it for 10 to 15 seconds to soften.
For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with oat flour.

Try mixing sweet Honeycrisp apples with tart Granny Smiths for balanced flavor and texture.
If you don’t have nutmeg, increase cinnamon to a full tablespoon for similar warm spice notes.
To reduce sugar, swap half the brown sugar for a granulated sweetener or increase oats to lower carbs.

Storage

Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Although safe at room temperature for two days, chilling keeps it fresher longer. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 20 seconds to enjoy warm again.

How to Serve

A clear glass baking dish filled with apple crumble showing three layers: at the bottom, juicy golden-brown apple slices in syrup, in the middle, a chunky, crumbly oat topping with a golden tan color, and on top, a dollop of smooth white whipped cream slightly melting into the oat layer. The dish sits on a white marbled texture surface with a wooden spoon nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What apple varieties work best for apple crisp?

A mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Honeycrisp combined with Granny Smith, provides great flavor depth and texture. Avoid mealy varieties like Red Delicious, which don’t soften well.