Cakes, cookies and brownies are easy to pass up for us. But crisp? Give us a good old apple crisp and we’re sure to cave! This apple crisp recipe with oats is absolutely classic, harnessing all that cozy nostalgia of the season. The crumble topping is the ideal texture: crispy but not crunchy, and buttery but not soft. The fruit layer below will make your heart sing: cinnamon, a hint of ginger and allspice set off just a hint of orange and lemon zest.
Best types of apples for an apple crisp
The best apples for an apple crisp recipe? Firm, crisp cooking apples. A sweet tart apple yields the best flavor, because the acidity makes the flavor pop. (Acidity is to desserts what salt is to savory food: we’ll get to that more later!). Here are a few of the varieties that shine in a basic apple crisp recipe:
Honeycrisp Golden Delicious Granny Smith Jonathon or Jonagold Ida Red
Even better, use a mix of apples! You can infuse even more nuance in flavor by using different varieties. We like to use a mix of Golden Delicious and Jonagold, which are easy to find apple picking here in Indiana.
How to core and chop apples…fast!
When you go to make the filling for this apple crisp recipe, you can ditch that apple corer and slicer. (In fact, we finally threw ours in the trash.) Why? Use this easy way to cut apples, which is so much faster:
Slice off each of the four sides: Holding the core of the apple, use a large chef’s knife to slice off four sides of the apple, cutting as close to the core as possible. Discard the core. Cut into chunks: Take one of the quarters and place it flat side down. Then slice in half and cross-wise to dice. Repeat with all four quarters!
Cut and apple this way, and it’s just as fast as with an apple corer. (Of course, if you have one of those fancy apple-corer-peeler-slicers, use that instead).
Keys to this apple crisp recipe
This apple crisp recipe with oats is pristine: it’s just what you’d expect in a classic, but a little bit elevated. Here are a few notes on what makes it so divine:
Orange and lemon zest accentuate the sweetness. Acidity in desserts is like salt in savory food: it makes the flavors shine! Here the citrus zest (and a little lemon juice) strike just the right balance with the sugar. Cinnamon, ginger and allspice add a cozy flair. There’s a hefty dose of cinnamon, then a hint of ginger and allspice. Keep in mind: the ginger flavor increases when refrigerated if you save leftovers. The right ratio of butter to oats makes the crumble topping. A good apple crisp recipe should have a topping that’s crumbly and crisp: not crunchy, soft, or soggy. This one has just the right ratio of butter and oats for that signature texture.
Customize the sugar to taste
This apple crisp recipe has a little variation on the sugar level in the filling. Here’s what to know:
Use ⅓ cup sugar for a sweet tart crisp. This also is perfect if you are planning to serve with vanilla ice cream. Use ½ cup sugar for a sweet crisp. If you’re a sweet dessert lover, go up to ½ cup sugar. It’s sweet but not overly sweet.
Variations: vegan and gluten-free
Want to make a vegan apple crisp recipe or gluten-free apple crisp recipe? Here are a few easy substitutions that make this recipe work for almost any diet:
Substitute almond flour for gluten-free. Crisp recipes are easy to make gluten-free using almond flour! It works well in a crumble topping, especially because it becomes slightly crispy when baked. Substitute vegan butter or coconut oil for gluten-free. The vegan substitutes don’t get nearly as crisp of a topping, but it works! Vegan butter is the best option. You can also use room temperature coconut oil, though the topping comes out softer. We recommend refined coconut oil, which has a subtler coconut flavor. Go to Vegan Apple Crisp.
Toppings for this easy apple crisp recipe
You might think vanilla ice cream when it comes to apple crisp, and that’s fantastic. But here are a few other options for getting creative:
Creme anglaise: This sweet, vanilla drizzle is pure heaven. Greek yogurt sweetened with maple syrup: The tang of the yogurt is the ideal antidote to the sweetness of apple crisp. Creme fraiche: Grab this rich and creamy topping at the store, or make homemade creme fraiche. Whipped cream: Go lighter with homemade whipped cream. Cinnamon ice cream: This homemade cinnamon ice cream is delicious and also dairy free.
Leftover storage info
Want to save leftovers of this apple crisp? Here’s what to know about storage:
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. The topping holds up pretty well in the fridge, and even better when reheated. Freeze up to 3 months. You can freeze it for up to 3 months in a sealed container. Reheat it in a 350 degree oven until bubbly and the topping is crisp.
More apple recipes & desserts
There are so many apple recipes to try once you’ve made apple crisp! Here are a few more apple desserts to try:
Make Vegan Apple Crisp, or Apple Crumble (or GF Apple Crisp), or Apple Cobbler Bake up Apple Dumplings: Grandma’s recipe! Go for Apple Cookies, Apple Bread, Apple Muffins, or Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Go for Apple Muffins with Streusel or a pan of Baked Apples Try a classic lattice-topped Apple Pie Recipe or Vegan Apple Pie Cook up easy Sauteed Apples (a la Mode!)
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