Forget complicated fall desserts, this Oatmeal Apple Crisp is where it’s at. Sweet, tender apples and a crunchy brown sugar oat topping come together in one easy bake. Serve it warm with ice cream for the ultimate fall treat.

Serving an oatmeal apple crisp with a large spoon.

Oatmeal apple crisp is the perfect fall dessert when you’re craving all those warm apple pie flavors but don’t have the time, or patience, to fuss with a pie crust. The whole thing comes together quickly, and your house will smell amazing while it bakes! Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, or drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the top for an extra special treat.

Kelley Simmons Kelley’s Tips

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

  • Choose the right apples. Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor. I like to use a mix of Granny Smith apples and Pink Lady or Honeycrisp!
  • Keep the butter cold. Cold, cubed butter helps create those delicious crumbly pieces in the oat topping. Don’t let the butter soften before mixing.
  • Slice the apples evenly. Try to cut the apples into similar-sized pieces so they bake evenly and become tender at the same time.
  • Watch the topping. The crisp is ready when the apples are tender and the oat topping is golden brown. If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.
  • Let it rest. Give the crisp about 10–15 minutes to cool before serving. This allows the juices to settle while keeping the crisp warm.
Kelley

Ingredients for Homemade Apple Crisp

Apples, near brown sugar, oats, flour, a lemon and a stick of butter.
  • Apples: Use about 5 medium apples. A mix of sweet and tart apples gives the filling great flavor and helps it hold its shape while baking.
  • Brown sugar: Adds warm, caramel-like sweetness to both the apples and the crisp topping.
  • Old-fashioned oats: Give the topping its hearty texture and delicious crunch. Old-fashioned rolled oats work best here rather than quick oats.
  • Flour: Helps bind the crisp topping together and gives it those golden, crumbly pieces.
  • Cold butter: Cold, cubed butter is key to a buttery, crisp topping with plenty of texture.
  • Cinnamon: Adds that classic warm spice that makes this dessert taste like fall.
  • Lemon juice: A little lemon juice brightens the apple filling and balances the sweetness.

Want to try an even easier version of homemade apple crisp? Try my Stuffed Baked Apple Crisp. No chopping required!

Drizzling caramel over ice cream and apple crisp.

How to Make Oatmeal Apple Crisp

  • Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9 x 9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
  • Make the crisp topping: Add brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse for 30 seconds or until the mixture is combined and resembles small pea size crumbs.
Butter, sugar and oats in a food processor.
  1. Make the apple filling: In a medium bowl combine apples, lemon juice, cinnamon and brown sugar.
Stirring apple chunks in a white bowl.
  1. Layer: Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
  2. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
An oat topping over an apple filling in a square baking dish.
  1. Serve: Enjoy warm with ice cream and homemade caramel if you’re feeling fancy!
Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream over an apple crisp in a bowl.

Oatmeal Apple Crisp FAQ

What are the best apples to use for apple crisp?

According to Bon Appetit the best apples for baking are Granny Smith, Honey Crisp and Pink lady! They all tend to stay firm and hold their shape during baking making them a good choice for our oat apple crisp. You can also use a combination of sweet and tart apples for more flavor.

Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling is optional. Leaving the skins on adds texture and fiber, but peeling them gives the apple filling a softer, more pie-like consistency.

Can I make this apple crisp ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the crisp a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it goes straight from the fridge to the oven.

Can I freeze apple crisp?

Yes. Let it cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

What’s the difference between a cobbler and a crisp?

Both are baked fruit desserts, but the toppings are what set them apart. A cobbler typically has a biscuit or cake-like topping, while a crisp is topped with a crumbly mixture made with oats, flour, butter, and sugar. 

Apple crisp served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle.

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    Serving an oatmeal apple crisp with a large spoon.
    Recipe

    Oatmeal Apple Crisp

    4.58 from 7 votes
    Topped with a crunchy oat streusel and filled with fresh baked apples, this easy Apple Crisp recipe will be your favorite fall dessert!
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Serves 6
    Rate Print

    Ingredients 

    Crisp Topping

    • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
    • 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

    Apple Filling

    • 5 medium apples, , about 5 cups
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 9 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
      Make Crisp Topping: Add brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse for 30 seconds or until the mixture is combined and resembles small pea size crumbs.
    • Make Apple Filling: In a medium bowl combine apples, lemon juice, cinnamon and brown sugar.
    • Layer: Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
    • Bake: For 40-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
      Serve warm with ice cream and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Choose the right apples. Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor.  I like to use a mix of Granny Smith apples and Pink Lady or Honeycrisp!
    • Keep the butter cold. Cold, cubed butter helps create those delicious crumbly pieces in the oat topping. Don’t let the butter soften before mixing.
    • Slice the apples evenly. Try to cut the apples into similar-sized pieces so they bake evenly and become tender at the same time.
    • Watch the topping. The crisp is ready when the apples are tender and the oat topping is golden brown. If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.
    • Let it rest. Give the crisp about 10–15 minutes to cool before serving. This allows the juices to settle while keeping the crisp warm.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 15mgPotassium: 273mgFiber: 5gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 556IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg
    Serving an oatmeal apple crisp with a large spoon.

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