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Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe

4.5 from 127 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Assemble the crisp: Evenly sprinkle the crumbly topping over the coated apples in the baking dish, covering them well.
  5. 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.
  6. 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