Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Warm, tender cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery, golden oat crumble make this Cinnamon Apple Crisp the perfect cozy dessert. It’s simple to prepare, fills the kitchen with an amazing aroma, and tastes especially delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
⅓ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of salt

For the Crisp Topping

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

Instructions

1. Prepare the Apples

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole dish.

Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt.

Toss until the apples are evenly coated.

Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.

2. Make the Crisp Topping

In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined.

Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts if using.

3. Assemble

Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples, covering the entire surface.

Don’t press the topping down too firmly—you want it to remain crumbly and crisp as it bakes.

4. Bake

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the apples are tender and bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown.

If the topping starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.

5. Cool and Serve

Allow the apple crisp to cool for about 10–15 minutes before serving.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

Choose firm apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or a combination work beautifully.
Slice the apples evenly: This helps them cook at the same rate.
Don’t skip the lemon juice: It balances the sweetness and helps brighten the apple flavor.
Use old-fashioned oats: They provide a heartier, crunchier topping than quick oats.
Let it rest: Giving the crisp a few minutes to cool allows the apple filling to thicken slightly.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can assemble the apple crisp several hours ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. If baking directly from the refrigerator, you may need to add approximately 5–10 minutes to the baking time.

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in the oven.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American