Apple Crisp with Oat Topping
This apple crisp with oat topping is proof that fall baking doesn't have to be complicated. A mix of tart apples, warming spices and sugars plus an oat crumb topping makes this a recipe you'll go to again and again.
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Easy Apple Crisp with Oats Recipe
The first time I made a fruit crisp, I was really intimidated and was sure I'd mess it up. That's when I learned that fruit crisps are super easy and forgiving.
Since then, they've become a go-to dessert whether it's just for family dinner or to feed a crowd. The best part is always the buttery oat crumble on top.
My kids love it so much they've chosen it instead of birthday cake before!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Here are just a few of the reasons why this recipe is worth making:
The oat topping is simple: melted butter, oats, flour and brown sugar all mixed together.
This crisp comes together quickly, so you can toss it together before a big gathering without breaking a sweat.
The ingredients are easy to swap for any allergy concerns. You can use dairy free butter and/or gluten-free flour and the dessert will still taste amazing!
Ingredients
For the base of the apple crisp, you'll need:
Apples are obviously the key ingredient. You can use different kinds, but Granny Smith are the ones I go to the most. They're tart and have just enough moisture. If you prefer sweeter or a mix, you can use something with a firm flesh, like Honey Crisp or Gala. You can peel the apples or leave them unpeeled (just wash them!)
Granulated sugar, fall spices like what's in apple pie spice, salt and all-purpose flour is mixed with the apples.
For the apple crisp topping you'll need:
Melted unsalted butter mixed with all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and old-fashioned oats. You can substitute vegan butter or to make a gluten-free apple crisp, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
Be sure to use old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats. These will have the best texture for this recipe. These flat, flakey oats that have been rolled absorb more water and work best to keep structure in a baking recipe like this. Steel-cut oats are your best substitute, but the topping will be a bit chewier.
Variations of Apple Crisp
If you want to make a smaller batch of this apple crisp for two people, halve this recipe. You will still have 4 servings, but I bet you'll finish it in one sitting. Use a 5x7-inch loaf pan if you go this route.
Serve with pumpkin spice whipped cream for a delicious twist!
How to Make Apple Crisp
Scroll down to the recipe card for the complete instructions! ⬇️
Jump to RecipeHonestly, the most time consuming part of making this fruit crisp is coring and chopping the apples and making the oat topping. But that only takes 10 minutes! After that, assembling the dessert goes very quickly.
Pop it in the oven and it will bake and be ready to serve in about 30 minutes!
My favorite thing to do is take a bite of those sugary, spiced apples with some of that streusel topping before I pop it in the oven. I do this with my apple pie as well as my apple spice rum cake. Anyone else?
Madison's Tips for Success:
I created and tested this apple crisp recipe, and have successfully made it many times. Use my tips to ensure that it turns out perfectly for you, too!
- Use a square baking dish: I love making this fall apple crisp recipe in my 8x8-inch ceramic baking dish because you get thicker layers of apples and crisp topping. It works in a 9x13 also, it will just be a thinner crisp.
- Don't stress over this too much, but do your best to cut the apples into similar sized pieces. This will help prevent any of them from under or over baking.
- For easy clean up, be sure to grease your baking dish. I prefer to use butter rather than cooking spray, because it adds to the flavor of the apple crisp.
This fall apple crisp recipe is one for the books. You're going to want to make it every autumn.
Serving Ideas
Serve with ice cream: My favorite thing to serve anything apple with is homemade vanilla ice cream. It has such a nostalgic feeling to me! But my second favorite is a big homemade whipped cream.
If you live in a place that has less-than-immediate fall weather (ahem, Arizona), this fall apple crisp will put you right into a fall mindset, especially if you also whip up a batch of stovetop apple cider to go with it.
Apple Crisp Recipe FAQs
To prevent the oat topping from becoming soggy, I suggest leaving the apple crisp with oat topping in the baking dish. Or, if you have a container with a tight fitting lid, that will work just as well. Let it cool completely before covering it.
As long as the temperature in the kitchen isn't more than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the dessert should stay fresh for about 3 days.
Absolutely! Just know that the consistency and texture of the crumble topping will be a little bit softer after reheating it. I suggest reheating it in a 350°F. oven for about 15 minutes, or until it's warm all the way through. If you're in a hurry, you can microwave individual portions, but reheat it at 50% power.
If you make and love this recipe, please leave a 
review below!
It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave comments and questions below!
Apple Crisp with Oat Topping
Ingredients
Filling
- 6 medium apples peeled and cubed
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
Crumble Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup plus 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix apple slices, sugar, flour, spices and salt. Toss to coat apples, then place mixture in baking dish.
- Add flour, brown sugar and oats to a medium bowl.
- Melt ½ cup butter.
- Pour butter over flour, brown sugar and oats and stir to combine using a fork.
- Break up larger chunks into small, course crumbs of oat mixture.
- Pour mixture over apples.
- Bake for 35 minutes until apples are soft and crisp topping is brown.
- Let the crisp cool, then serve with ice cream or whipped cream!
Notes
Nutrition
Other Fruit Desserts We Love
I'll teach you how to make simple from-scratch recipes, like seasonings, sauces, dinners and even desserts, that make cooking from home less overwhelming and more enjoyable.
My recipes have been featured on publications like South Your Mouth, Fun.com, Her Campus, Mental Floss, and the TastingTable.
Yum! Apple crisp is one of my favorite desserts in the fall. I am so bummed that apple season is over and all the apple orchards nearby are out of apples. 🙁
Sounds really yummy and easy to make too. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable for breakfast. I'm a big fan of apples too and my current favorite is my Upside Down Skillet Caramelized Apple Pecan Biscuits.
I'm glad you approve 😉 And woww that sounds amazing!!
oh nom nom nom! this looks DE-LICIOUS!
oh nom nom nom! this looks DE-LICIOUS!
Oh I'm really wishing Zach liked apple crisp right now--that looks absolutely delicious!!! And I'm definitely going to be checking out this linkup now!!
Oh I'm really wishing Zach liked apple crisp right now--that looks absolutely delicious!!! And I'm definitely going to be checking out this linkup now!!
This looks so delicious and so simple! And without the butter, it's vegan! Which will make my partner happy!
This looks so delicious and so simple! And without the butter, it's vegan! Which will make my partner happy!
This looks soooo delicious!!
This looks soooo delicious!!
This looks SO very yummy!! I definitely want to try it.
This looks SO very yummy!! I definitely want to try it.
Oh my goodness, Madison. This apple crisp looks SO GOOD... and this is absolutely something I'm going to have to make soon because it feels so seasonally appropriate.
Thanks for participating, lady, and for your sweet words! So happy we've become friends!
Oh my goodness, Madison. This apple crisp looks SO GOOD... and this is absolutely something I'm going to have to make soon because it feels so seasonally appropriate.
Thanks for participating, lady, and for your sweet words! So happy we've become friends!
Apple crisps are my favorite! You're making my mouth water right now!
Apple crisps are my favorite! You're making my mouth water right now!
NOM. I need this right away! This looks so comforting.
Great recipe, Mads!
NOM. I need this right away! This looks so comforting.
Great recipe, Mads!
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely delicious! I may just make this tomorrow! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!
i love apple crisp.. yum. Only, at my house we call it apple crap.
i love apple crisp.. yum. Only, at my house we call it apple crap.
I have been on a big apple kick lately! I have a list of recipes to try going, and I am definitely adding this to my list. Oh, and I would totally eat this for breakfast!
I have been on a big apple kick lately! I have a list of recipes to try going, and I am definitely adding this to my list. Oh, and I would totally eat this for breakfast!
This sounds absolutely delicious! I haven't had any sort of apple crisp in a while and I am super excited to try this! Sounds absolutely delicious!
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely delicious! I may just make this tomorrow! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!
You couldn't have posted this at a better time. I have been searching Pinterest for the perfect apple dessert to make this week! I've been craving a warm apple dessert, but wanted it to be the right one if I'm going to splurge on dessert! I can't wait to try this recipe this week! Thanks for sharing!
You couldn't have posted this at a better time. I have been searching Pinterest for the perfect apple dessert to make this week! I've been craving a warm apple dessert, but wanted it to be the right one if I'm going to splurge on dessert! I can't wait to try this recipe this week! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds absolutely delicious! I haven't had any sort of apple crisp in a while and I am super excited to try this! Sounds absolutely delicious!
One of my favorite desserts is apple crisp, this recipes looks a lot like the one my mother makes which is quite delicious. I am going to be checking out the other recipes in the link up, after I am no longer hungry.
One of my favorite desserts is apple crisp, this recipes looks a lot like the one my mother makes which is quite delicious. I am going to be checking out the other recipes in the link up, after I am no longer hungry.