Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe
Old fashioned apple crisp is a beloved fall dessert featuring tender, thinly sliced apples topped with a crispy, cinnamon and nutmeg spiced oat topping. This classic recipe combines sweet and tart apple varieties for a perfect balance of flavor and a comforting dessert that’s simple to prepare and bake in the oven. The buttery, crunchy topping perfectly complements the soft baked apples for a nostalgic treat that’s ideal for chilly autumn days.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Apple Mixture
- 4 apples, thinly sliced (around 6 cups; preferably a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Topping Mixture
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or oat flour for gluten-free option)
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter an 8, 9, or 10 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare apple base: Place the thinly sliced apples into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with ¼ cup light brown sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Mix gently with your hands to coat the apples thoroughly.
- Make the topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, ⅔ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Add the softened butter and blend with a fork or your fingers until the mixture forms crumbly clumps.
- Assemble the crisp: Evenly sprinkle the crumbly topping over the coated apples in the baking dish, covering them well.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 32 minutes, until the topping turns golden brown and the apples are soft and bubbly.
- Serve warm: Remove from oven and serve warm. Optional accompaniments include vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for added indulgence.
Notes
- If your butter isn’t soft enough to mix into the topping, microwave it for 10–15 seconds to soften it slightly.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with oat flour.
- Mixing sweet Honeycrisp and tart Granny Smith apples provides a balanced flavor; avoid mealy varieties like Red Delicious.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to one week and can be reheated in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
- You can reduce sugar by substituting half the brown sugar with a granulated sweetener if desired.
- If you don’t have nutmeg, increase cinnamon to 1 tablespoon for enhanced spice flavor.
Keywords: apple crisp, old fashioned apple crisp, fall dessert, apple dessert recipe, baked apple crisp, cinnamon apple crisp, gluten free apple crisp