Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp: Irresistibly Quick Recipe

Cool weather hits and suddenly all I want is that warm, cinnamony aroma drifting from the oven just like Grandma’s kitchen. This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp is trending once again on Pinterest and Reddit, and yes it’s totally worth the hype. Minimal fuss, maximum comfort. Quick prep, no pie crust drama, golden oat topping. It’s fall dessert at its simplest and coziest.

This is your nostalgic classic crumble juicy tart apples, comforting spices, and a buttery, toasty oat topping. Made from pantry staples like flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter, it’s like apple pie’s relaxed, weeknight cousin. Homemade and effortlessly good. Full recipe details below!

I’ve been making some version of this since I was tall enough to peel apples at the kitchen counter. Growing up near orchards, this was our go-to end-of-summer treat. No odd shortcuts just the good stuff. I tested several variations, and I think you’ll love the little secret I included below to take it over the top.

Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

This recipe feels like a warm hug on a chilly fall day simple, nostalgic, and oh-so-comforting. Here’s why it’s a crowd-favorite highlight of the season:

• Easy as pie (but easier): No tricky pie crust here. Just slice, mix, layer, and bake.
• Pantry-friendly: Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand think flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
• Cozy vibes: The scent of spice-laced apples baking will have your whole home smelling like autumn heaven.
• Versatile: Works with multiple apple varieties great for using up what’s in the crisper drawer or after a trip to the orchard.

Key Ingredients and How They Work

Here’s what makes this dessert shine and how each ingredient plays its part:

• Apples: Golden Delicious apples are a staple for their balanced sweetness and soft bake. Prefer a tart contrast? Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for structure and zing.
• Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the classic crisp topping texture. Quick oats can work in a pinch but will yield a slightly softer crumb.
• Butter: Cold, cubed unsalted butter helps form a crumbly topping that bakes up golden and crisp.
• Brown Sugar & Cinnamon: These bring deep flavor caramel notes from the sugar and the signature warm spice we expect in every bite of crisp.

Pro Tip: A small pinch of kosher salt cuts through the sweetness and brings out the apple’s natural flavor. Don’t skip it!

How to Make the Perfect Apple Crisp Step-by-Step

This apple crisp comes together quickly with just a few easy steps. Here’s how to get it just right:

1. Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice or chop 6 medium apples (about 6 cups). Toss them with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Spread evenly in your baking dish.
3. Mix the topping: In a separate bowl, mix 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Cut in 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly with pea-sized clumps.
4. Assemble: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple mixture. Lightly press it down with your hands to help it form a crust as it bakes.
5. Bake: Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbling at the edges.

Note: Check halfway through. If the topping browns too fast, loosely tent with foil during the last 10–15 minutes of baking.

Serving and Storage Tips

This warm, sweet apple crisp is best enjoyed straight from the oven. Here’s how to serve and save it:

• Serving: Cool for 10–15 minutes after baking. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of salted caramel for extra indulgence.
• Leftovers: Store cooled leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 300°F oven.
• Freezing: Preparing ahead? Assemble the crisp but don’t bake. Cover well and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, add 10–15 minutes to the standard baking time.

Handy Storage Table

Quick Swaps and Tips

Feeling creative or working with what you’ve got? Here are some fun and flavorful swaps for this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp:

• Apples: Use different varieties like Fuji or Pink Lady for a sweeter twist. Mix and match for depth of flavor.
• Butter: Got salted butter? No problem just omit the added salt in the topping to balance flavors.
• Brown sugar: Swap in coconut sugar or maple sugar for a naturally rich, nutty flavor.

Pro Tip: Add 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping mix before baking for a delightful crunchy upgrade!

Expert Insight: The Appeal of Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

The Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp remains a timeless comfort dessert. It artfully marries tart fruit with a buttery oat topping, requiring no elaborate technique. This dessert connects generations through its accessible ingredients and flavors, proving year after year why it’s a seasonal favorite.

For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!

Perfecting My Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp took a few experiments to get just right. One version was too runny, another was overly dry. After testing different apple types, sugar amounts, and topping ratios, I landed on a recipe that’s reliably golden, crisp-topped, and bursting with warm, gently spiced fruit flavor.

FAQs ( Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp )

Conclusion

This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp comes together in under an hour, delivering that just-right balance of soft-baked fruit and crispy, buttery topping. It’s the kind of dessert that fills your kitchen with the scents of comfort and falls into your heart as easily as your favorite autumn sweater.

Add your spin: try pecans for extra crunch, or stir a tablespoon of maple syrup into your apple mix for subtle depth. Every batch brings a new warm memory. Leftovers keep well, making this a great make-ahead or next-day treat too.

Did this recipe spark memories of cozy apple desserts from your childhood? I’d love to hear how you’ve made it your own. Snap a photo, share your story, and tag me because food tastes even better when it’s shared and remembered.

Yesica Andrews

Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp: Irresistibly Quick Recipe

This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp is a quick and homemade apple crisp easy to prepare, bringing back the nostalgic flavors Grandma used to make. Perfect as a Quick Apple Crisp dessert topped with vanilla ice cream or salted caramel sauce, it combines tender spiced apples with a crunchy oat topping. A delightful treat for any season, this recipe is a beloved classic and one of the best apple crisp recipes ever.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 301

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 golden delicious apples peeled and chopped
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon (for apples)
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and butter an 8×8 baking dish or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine peeled and chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
3. Transfer the spiced apple mixture to the prepared baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt.
5. Cut cold diced butter into the oat mixture using a pastry cutter, two forks, or hands until pea-sized crumbs form.
6. Spread the crumb topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish and gently pat down.
7. Bake for 40-50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apple mixture is bubbly.
8. Serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Notes

• You can use different apple varieties if desired. Quick oats can substitute old fashioned oats but may alter texture slightly. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated. This crisp pairs wonderfully with salted caramel sauce for a richer dessert.