I wish I could turn the scent into a candle… though a serving of apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top beats a candle any day.
You really can’t beat gooey, warm, delicious apples loaded with spices and a crispy oat crumb topping.
This old-fashioned Apple Crisp recipe is such a comforting treat in the Autumn season or the summertime!
How to Make Apple Crisp
What is Apple Crisp? How is a Crisp Different From a Cobbler?
A baked apple crisp is made of apples, spices, and a crisp oat-y topping, essentially! There’s no crust or base to an apple crisp – just a simple streusel topping. This makes it simpler and faster to make than a pie – but you still achieve all the same wonderful fall flavors, along with a deliciously chewy crisp topping.
Cobblers, while similar, are topped with more of a biscuit-like or cake-like topping (and sometimes the same base, too) instead of an oat-y streusel topping.
What Type of Apple is Best for Apple Crisp?
- Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp have the perfect balance of sweetness to tartness and bake up beautifully.
- Feel free to use a mixture of apples!
- Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala apples are other great options.
Do I Need to Peel the Apples?
This is really a matter of personal preference, but I always opt to peel my apples to avoid the texture of cooked apple skins. If that texture doesn’t bother you, feel free to skip peeling the apples to save time.
Tips for the Perfect Apple Crisp
- Slice apples evenly so they cook evenly.
- Test apple doneness with a fork, toothpick or cake tester. Sure, you don’t want to burn or undercook your streusel topping, but you can’t just go on how the top looks for this one! Take a moment to pierce a few apples before calling the baking time – no one wants to eat a super crunchy apple in a crisp (or a super soggy one, either!).
- Adjust spice level to your preference, and based on how fresh they are. We all have a jar of allspice or cloves sitting in the back of our pantry, pulled out for just a handful of recipes every fall …. But how long has it been sitting there? Older spices carry less flavor; fresh spices will carry a LOT more flavor. So, just be aware of that, and adjust the spice level down a little if you prefer a less-spiced crisp, or if your spices are brand new, as this recipe is written to be spice-forward and based on the assumption that most spices aren’t brand new and fresh!
What Pan Should I Use for the Best Apple Crisp?
Use a 9×13-inch pan. Either a light-colored metal or glass baking dish is fine for this recipe. Ceramic works just fine for this apple crisp, too.
How to Halve This Apple Crisp Recipe:
Halve all the ingredients and bake in an 8×8-inch square pan. Reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
Can I Add Nuts to This Recipe?
Yes! Feel free to add a cup of toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping, if desired.
Can I use Other Fruits Instead of Apples?
We have not tested other fruits in place of apples for this crisp recipe, so just be aware that other fruits may have different bake times, may not work with the listed spices, and may be too sweet or too liquidy for this recipe to be successful. However, we always encourage experimentation, so if you do give this recipe a try with other fruits, please let us know how it goes!
How Should I Serve Apple Crisp?
- The best way to serve this apple crisp, in my opinion, is warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
- You can get creative with other apple crisp toppings, like a drizzle of caramel sauce for an even more deliciously decadent dessert.
- Whipped cream would also be great with this apple crisp.
How Long Will This Apple Crisp Keep?
- Covered and refrigerated, this apple crisp will stay fresh for 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 325°F for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
- The streusel oat topping will begin to soften after the first day, so be aware of that (though it will still taste great regardless!).
- Apple crisp is also delicious cold!
Does Apple Crisp Need to be Refrigerated?
Though not required, I recommend that this apple crisp be refrigerated after it bakes and cools. This will keep it fresh longer and prevent it from spoiling.
Can You Freeze Apple Crisp?
This apple crisp is best enjoyed fresh, but if necessary, you can bake it, let it cool completely, cover well with layers of plastic wrap, and freeze for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving. To reheat, bake covered at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until heated through.
NOTE: I recommend thawing the baked crisp before reheating, but if you want to try to reheat from frozen and are using a glass pan, make sure it’s tempered glass, like this OXO option made from borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is designed to withstand extreme temperature changes (like from freezer to oven) without the risk of cracking or shattering. I don’t recommend baking from frozen if using a ceramic pan.
Can I Make this Apple Crisp Ahead of Time?
Yes! Here are some tips for making this recipe ahead of time:
- You can get a head start on making the crisp by preparing the streusel topping up to 2-3 days ahead of time and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
- I prefer slicing the apples the day I plan to bake the crisp as they start to oxidize once they’re sliced and turn brown in color.
- Add a little extra fresh lemon juice to help prevent the apples from turning super brown.
- Prepare the entire apple crisp, cover well, and refrigerate the night before baking.
- Don’t wait any longer than overnight before baking, to prevent the apples from browning too much or drying out/spoiling.
- You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to account for the cold fruit.
This apple crisp was amazing! It smelled heavenly while it was baking and tasted even better!
Very tasty! Would make again.
This was sooo good!! Also literally everything I’ve made from handletheheat has been 5 stars and loved by my husband
This is the perfect Fall treat!
This was pretty good!! Next time I would do more topping, but that’s just a personal preference. My home smells amazing!
I loved this recipe. This will be my go to from now on. Easily customizable based on your apple preference. Right balance of spice and apple!
I make delicious apple crisp every fall. I wasn’t sure I needed a new go to recipe for it but Tessa and Handle the Heat did not disappoint. So much complex yet delicately balanced flavour and perfect ratio of apple filling to oatmeal crunch topping. I will definitely make this recipe again. Thank you!
One of my favorite parts about this recipe is how flippin easy it is! Peeling, coring and slicing the apples is tedious but everything else is so easy, simple and delicious. A perfect fall treat!
This recipe couldn’t be easier, and it is very tasty. The spice amounts are definitely heavier than most apple crisps I’ve had (or perhaps my spices are just extra fresh?), but that just made it even better. It also has a perfect ratio of filling to topping. I almost forgot to take a picture for the challenge because my household ate it so quickly!
The apple crisp was easy to make and was delicious. The whole family loved it!
This is the best quick and easy apple crisp. Made it for the first time on Friday and made it again on Sunday-THAT GOOD!
This apple crisp was extremely popular with those I shared it with–the flavor is amazing, and it’s actually very easy to make…the peeling and cutting of the apples was the only time consuming part.
I used Cosmic Crisp and Golden crisp apples for one half batch, and another half batch I added Elderberries to which made for an excellent and refreshing variant!
As always with Tessa’s recipes – this was a hit at my house!! My hubby loved it and it barely lasted TWO days!! lol
Had some freshly picked apples from the tree and used 7 to make this apple crisp. Wow! It’s a winner. My husband and guest had two servings without ice cream on hand. Next time I’ll source larger apples to use as my crisp turned out pretty flat despite using more than the stated weight.
I made the apple crisp as a birthday dessert. It was perfectly delicious! The topping was so crunchy which was a perfect combination with the cooked apples.
As usual, another perfect recipe from Tessa and the HTH team! Paired with homemade her French Vanilla ice cream, it is an apple lover’s dream.
Perfect fall dessert! Well spiced with perfect balance of apple filling to crisp topping. Will definitely make again!
I was looking for a fall easy recipe to use some apples I had. I found yours and I thought, “it seems easy enough!” Well, not only easy but delicious. Thank you for sharing
This is so easy to make and delicious! Perfect with a scoop of ice cream.
I halved this recipe and made it in a glass pie pan. Overall, pretty good! It’s VERY sweet and could have used 5-10 extra minutes to cook; the apples weren’t as soft as I was expecting even though I cut them thinner than called for.
This was so sweet and delicious! I used four large honey crisp apples and it turned out perfectly.
Deliciously spicy and not too sweet – tastes like fall!
This is a fabulous way to welcome fall! A very easy, fast and forgiving recipe that you could swap with a variety of apples or spices you have on hand. (Watch your timer mine cooked in 20 minutes).
Not the prettiest to serve to company but warm with a scoop of ice cream makes it a winner! 🙂
Is it possible to freeze BEFORE baking? I have several apples and want to make some apple crisps and freeze them BEFORE baking.
Hi Christine! We haven’t tried that, but typically apples don’t freeze super well before baking, as they get very browned and the juices dry out. Feel free to experiment, but I’m not sure it will work very well! Good luck 🙂
It was delicious and really easy to put together!
Quick & easy dessert that tastes incredible!
My son says, “I like all of it. We should make it again! Actually we should make 3!” I enjoyed the texture of this apple crisp. Good amount of apple, good amount of sweetness, good amount of crisp.
The Apple Crisp was delicious. I brought it to work, and everyone loved it. The seasonings were perfect, and the topping was crusty. The caramelization around the edge was so good! In the 9 x 13 dish, it looked so low. I weighed everything perfectly, so I know the amount was correct. Next time, I’ll make 1.5 batches or use a smaller dish.
I have made many crisps and crumbles and this topping was delicious! Love how easy it comes together. Can’t wait to put it on peaches!
Mary Ann from Chicago
so easy and SO delicious
Perfect recipe for fall! I made this with honey crisp apples and they were delicious. The spices were spot on n we enjoyed it with some homemade vanilla ice cream
Easy to make. Light and crispy. Good reviews from my friends I made it for.
My family loved this apple crisp!
Absolutely delicious! My new favourite apple crisp recipe. The blend of spices is what makes this dish. I also added a teaspoon of lemon zest. Served with ice cream at a recent family dinner and it was a big hit!
This is the best apple crisp I have made! Simple and easy to put together, and SO much flavor. Will be making this multiple times each Fall!
doesn’t get more delicious and easier than this!
The flavor was the best. I had never added cloves to my apple crisp in the past and adding this took the taste to a new level for us. This is a keeper!!!
We loved this Apple Crisp. The spices were perfect and added a wonderful flavor. I had never added cloves to my apple crisp in the past. The cloves kicked up the flavor nicely.
Super yum! I made a half batch because I’m not huge on fruit desserts (though my husband is) and now I’m hugely regretting not making a full batch. lol Yum, yum yum! Another HtH winner.
I loved this recipe, it was delicious!
This apple crisp was perfect! Sweet and crispy. I love that it’s not too heavy. I used a mixed blend of envy, green, and honey crisp apples. It turned out amazing. Will use this recipe again. Handle the Heat is my new go-to when every I start to bake.
Reminds me of fall so much! Absolutely delicious i
DELICIOUS! Simple to put together, so flavorful. Big hit at cookbook club!
I made this for my mom’s birthday and she loved it! It was super quick and easy to make and delicious! The spice ratio was perfect!
Completely earns 5 stars ⭐️ Perfect blend of spices.
I also added the zest of one lemon and reduced the sugar by half. My mom, who loves apple desserts, said this was the best apple crisp she had ever had and “needs” the recipe!
Delicious! Perfect blend of spices.
I added the zest of one lemon and reduced the sugar by about half.
My mom, who loves apple desserts, said it was the best apple crisp she has had and “needs” the recipe
This is the tastiest apple crisp I have made! I made the homemade caramel sauce to drizzle on top, and that brings it to another level. I may make it with even more apples the next time I make it! 🙂
Made this for the September baking challenge. Well definitely be adding to the fall rotation, one of the best apple crisps.
Super simple yet delicious fall treat to feed a crowd. The spices really come together to create that fall smell we all love. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream.
It’s been a while since I’ve made an apple dessert because I’m not big in them but this came out really great! I enjoyed it as well as my family.
Very easy to make and made our house smell delicious while it was baking. Love this recipe.
Hi Rowena! So glad to hear that!! Thanks for the comment!
This recipe was so easy to make. I actually used it to help teach 2 of my boys baking basics. House smells amazing! We’re taking this to a friend’s house tomorrow so we’ll find out how it tastes then, but if it tastes as good as my house smells, it’ll be fantastic!
Yay!! So glad your kids are learning how to bake with you, Sara! I’m sure this was a hit at your friend’s house! 🙂
This was an easy recipe to make. I used it to teach 2 of my boys baking basics. I’m excited to try it, but we’re taking it to a fiends house tomorrow, but if it tastes as good as my house smells right now, it’ll be amazing.
Hope it tasted as good as it smells, Sara!!
This is so easy and delicious! I made it for a party and it was the first thing to go!
Woohoo! So happy to hear that, Erin!!
Amazing recipe
Yay! Glad to hear that, Nicole!!
Here’s the feedback from my wife: “This is as good as my mom’s”! ‘Nuf said. Thank you, Tessa!
Haha wow, that’s quite the compliment!! So glad this crisp was a hit, Bruce!
I had peaches instead of apples. It turned out good but my husband still orders apple.
So glad you enjoyed this with peaches, Kelly! Can’t wait to hear what you and your husband think about it with apples sometime 🙂
Super easy and quick and tasted delicious! All of the lemon juice and spices definitely elevate the flavor.
So happy to hear you enjoyed this crisp so much, Mia!!
Oh my goodness! I wasn’t sure about this recipe because I’ve never made a Crisp before. I never thought I would like it more than a cobbler. But Y’all!!! This is amazing. It is absolutely so easy to make and it was a huge hit with my family! I will be making this often!!
Yay! So excited that you enjoyed this crisp so much, Shea!! So quick and easy, right?!
So delicious! The flavor was perfectly fall! It was gone SO fast and I’m already planning on making it again.
Hi Melissa! Yay!! So glad this apple crisp was such a hit!! 🙂