Make a Perfect Apple Crisp with just a few easy steps. Apple crisps are basically a streusel-topped pie without a bottom crust. Super simple to throw together and you can use almost any fruit that is in season.
The secret to a perfect apple crisp is to use great apples. You want to use a combination of sweet and tart apples. Choose apples that stay firm and crisp like a sweet Rome Beauty or a tart Granny Smith and then combine it with a tart Jonathan or a sweet Honey Crisp that will break down a bit when baked.
Perfect Apple Crisp
If you’re unsure what apples to use, buy several varieties and use them all to get a great mix of flavors and textures. The U.S. Apple Association has a nice Apple Variety Guide with pictures of the apples and their uses.
If possible, stop by a local farmers market and buy fresh, locally grown apples that were picked when ripe. Of course, once you’ve chosen great apples you’ll need you need a crisp, delicious streusel top. I added sliced almonds, but you can substitute your favorite nut, or omit them if you’re not a nut lover. I also like the added texture that oatmeal gives the topping, but if you don’t, omit that as well.
Ingredients
- Apples
- Lemon juice
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Flour
- Old-fashioned rolled oats
- Sliced almonds
- Butter
Recipe Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º. Spray an 9×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl or plastic zipper bag, combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Add apples and lemon juice and toss to coat. Put in prepared baking dish.
- In a large bowl combine brown sugar, flour, oats, almonds, cinnamon and alt. Add melted butter and mix with a fork or your hands until mixture resembles crumbly wet sand. Sprinkle mixture evenly on top of apples.
- Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until apples are tender and topping is golden brown about 45–55 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
When making an apple crisp the apples should be peeled, cored and thinly sliced.
You will want to bake the apple crisp until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
I prefer to refrigerate my apple crisp. It will stay good in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days.
Apple crisps are traditionally served warm. They are extra delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
More Recipes
- Apple Cranberry Streusel Pie
- Blueberry Apple Mini Pies
- Caramel Apple Hand Pies
- Frozen Chocolate Oreo Pie
If you’ve tried this Perfect Apple Crisp recipe or any other recipe on Barbara Bakes, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
Perfect Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 6 cups apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced (6 – 8 medium apples—use a combination of sweet and tart baking apples)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Crumble Topping:
- ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats not quick-cooking
- ½ cup sliced almonds optional
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º. Spray an 9×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl or plastic zipper bag, combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add apples and lemon juice and toss to coat. Put in prepared baking dish.
- In a large bowl combine brown sugar, flour, oats, almonds, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add melted butter and mix with a fork or your hands until mixture resembles crumbly wet sand. Sprinkle mixture evenly on top of apples.
- Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until apples are tender and topping is golden brown about 45–55 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Video
Nutrition
A hot, homemade Apple Crisp is the perfect fall dessert, especially topped with a rich creamy vanilla ice cream. Remember: If you’ve got great apples, you’ll have a great apple crisp!
Coleens Recipes
I’ve been thinking about making an apple crisp all weekend, I guess your post is the little “push” I needed, thanks!!
baker-in-disguise
I absolutely adore apple crisp.. its such an early winter dessert… warm and toasty and then with a scoop of ice-cream.. ideal comfort food dessert for me!!
Blond Duck
I really want an apple crisp.
Kelley
Lovely, Barbara! I can’t get enough of the apples right now. I’m having a dinner party Wednesday and I think a crisp is in order!
Matt mmWine Horbund
What do you do with fall apples? Make an apple crisp! This looks great!
JG
Looks yummy! Apple Crisp is one of my family’s faves. Always with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, too.
~Judy
Claire @ Claire K Creations
Ooh I’ve never heard of a crisp but sounds like my sort of dessert!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
For some reason I’m a little weird and don’t like ice cream with my cakes. But apple crisp, that’s another story. I think we had an early cold snap and that affected the apple crop here in WI which is really sad because I’m finally back in the midwest where you can get fresh local apples. I guess there’s always next year. Meanwhile, I’ll be thankful we have grocery stores.
Deb
I adore fruit crisps as the fruit remains the focus of the dessert. The combination of apples with the crispy sweet topping just screams fall to me, an irresistible treat!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
A perfect fall dessert, Barbara.
Kitchen Belleicious
i like your idea of using a variety of apples to get a variety of flavors in the crisp. that is brilliant! Love a good apple crisp and yours looks like perfection
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet
I have a bunch of apples waiting for their debut, this just may be the ticket. Thanks for a perfectly fall recipe. Yum!
Jersey Girl Cooks
Mmmmnn! I have been doing a lot of apple baking this fall. This look perfect.
Bonnie
I love apple crisp…well anything made from apples really. I expecially like that you have a crunchy streusel top. Yum…
Ala
And I just happen to have a pint of vanilla ice cream sitting in the fridge–you’re a kitchen fairy, Barbara! (Kind of like the one that magically shows up when I visit my parents’ house–done dishes and food in front of me without lifting a finger? I think I can deal!) You’ve got one lucky family!
Kristen
Apple crisp is one of my favorite things. Love these photos and this recipe!
carrian
I totally agree, the apples are the star. Mmmm I love baked apples.
Rosa
In Switzerland, we can buy Boskoop apples (tart, sweet, juicy and flavorful) and they are fantastic for baking, cooking or eating raw…
This crisp looks amazing!
Cheers,
Rosa
Barbara Schieving
Thanks Rosa – one day I’d love to try a Boskoop apple.
Lychapin@TinySkillet
I love a good apple crisp…this sounds nice with the almonds. We don’t have local apples here in Florida, so I look for Michigan apples. Now citrus and strawberries we can get those local in season of course.
Barbara Schieving
I think I might trade great apples for fantastic citrus and strawberries, especially if you throw in some Florida sunshine.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I think this is the ultimate comfort food for me. Sweet, occasionally tart and creamy with the ice cream. What more could you want in a dessert?