This incredibly easy apple crisp recipe features a cinnamon and nutmeg spiced apple filling topped with a brown sugar and melted butter oat topping (with nuts optional). There’s no need to peel the apples for this cozy and quick apple dessert. You’ll need 4 apples and an 8×8″ or 2-quart baking dish for this recipe.
It’s up to you whether you use normal rolled oats, quick-cooking, or instant. I use normal in my crumbles, but you might choose quick or instant if you think the normal retain too much texture. Personal preference! They’ll all work, though, so you can just use what you’ve got on hand.
Best apples for apple crisp
A bazillion recipes out there will tell you that the best apples for apple crisp are Granny Smith apples or Pink Lady, but frankly I say use whatever type of apple you like to eat! I love Honeycrisp apples so that’s what I use.
As long as the apple is crisp and not bruised or mushy (looking at you, Red Delicious), you’ll be just fine. Whether you like sweet apples or tart apples, any and all of them will work in this easy recipe. It’s a classic dessert to make with all those fresh fall apples from apple picking!
- Any 2-quart baking dish (I used an 8×8″ square ceramic baking dish in the photos)
- Glass or other microwave-safe mixing bowl – this is a one bowl recipe, hooray!
- Whisk (or fork) and rubber spatula
- Kitchen scale – I highly recommend weighing your ingredients for most accurate results, especially the flour! This is the primary way I bake these days as it is much more precise than using measuring cups (and there are less dishes to clean).
Why you’ll love this recipe
Apple crisp is the easier, faster, healthier, equally satisfying version of apple pie (in my opinion, anyway). I would like to shake the hand of the person who invented apple crisp.
Take all the best parts of apple pie (thick, luscious and spiced apple filling, buttery crisp crust) but TAKE OUT ALL THE WORK. A Paul Hollywood-style handshake is needed for this nameless inventor. This is one of my favorite desserts to make during fall apple season!
Here are the great things about this easy apple crisp recipe:
- No need to peel the apples (unless you really want to)
- The apple filling is mixed IN the baking dish – my favorite way to use less dishes
- The oatmeal crumble topping is made in one bowl using melted butter, with no mixer needed (this means no planning ahead – last minute apple crisp here we come). No eggs either!
- You can customize the spices in the filling and the crisp topping however you like – I used cinnamon and nutmeg here but I bet allspice or pumpkin spice would be great as well
- This recipe makes 6-8 servings of apple crisp in a 2-quart baking dish, aka enough for a small dinner party but not enough to overwhelm you
- Crispy, buttery, crunchy topping on gooey cinnamon spiced apples, all topped with cold vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt – need I say more? This is a fall dessert dream and we barely even had to work for it.
HEALTHY APPLE CRUMBLE WITH OATS – BY CRAZY HACKER
FAQ
Can you bake with quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Can I substitute instant oats for rolled oats?
How do you keep apple crisp from getting watery?
Why is my apple crisp dry and dry?
Can I use rolled oats instead of apples?
Some visible apples slices in your filling are ideal. If you prefer, you can skip the step of peeling the apples. The apple peels will add a little bit of texture to the finished dish, but they will not be too tough. Use old-fashioned rolled oats or quick-cooking (“instant”) oats in the topping. Just don’t substitute with steel cut oats.
Are rolled oats beneficial for health?
Oat flakes are beneficial for health since they have fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. They can contribute to cardiovascular health, reduce blood pressure, and help with weight loss.
Are rolled oats good for apple crisp?
Either rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats, or quick or quick-cooking oats are appropriate for the recipe. Baking times are not affected by the type of oats used. Rolled oats produce a chewier topping than quick oats but the flavor is almost identical. Avoid instant oats or steel cut oatmeal in apple crisp toppings.
What can I substitute for rolled oats for apple crumble?
Cornstarch: to thicken the apple mixture as it bakes for a thick and juicy filling. Cinnamon: ground cinnamon will add a deliciously spiced warmth to the dessert. Oats: rolled oats will give the crumble topping a great texture and also crisp up better than other types of oats. You can substitute for quick oats in a pinch.