If you’re craving a dessert that’s cozy, classic, and downright irresistible, then you’ve come to the right place. This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is the kind of dish I turn to when I want that perfect balance of sweet, crunchy, and comforting—all rolled into one. Whether you’re an apple crisp veteran or trying it for the first time, I promise you’ll love how simple and delicious this recipe is. Stick around because I’m about to share all the tips that make this a family favorite, just like mine!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Using pantry staples and just a few fresh apples, this recipe is super accessible and quick to pull together.
Perfect Texture: The topping crisps up beautifully with buttery oats, while the apples stay tender and juicy, creating a perfect harmony every time.
Family Favorite: I discovered this trick when I wanted a dessert that even picky eaters love — it’s guaranteed to impress.
Versatile & Adaptable: Whether you like it warm with ice cream or packed for later, this apple crisp holds up wonderfully and invites your own creative twists.

The image shows a white bowl filled with a warm apple crumble. The bottom layer has soft, cooked apple slices in a light brown syrup that looks sticky and shiny. On top of the apples is a thick layer of golden brown crumble made of oats and small nut pieces, giving a rough and crumbly texture. A silver spoon is partially dipped into the bowl, ready to scoop the dessert. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe comes from combining crisp-tart apples with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced topping that bakes to golden perfection. Grab the freshest apples you can find—I usually go for Golden Delicious for a nice balance of sweetness and texture—and the rest are classic pantry staples you likely have on hand.

Golden Delicious Apples: They hold their shape well and add just the right sweetness, but feel free to mix in Granny Smith or Fuji for extra tang.
Granulated Sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness of the apples without overpowering them.
Ground Cinnamon: A must-have cozy spice that pairs with apples like peanut butter does to jelly.
Lemon Juice: Keeps the apples bright and prevents browning while adding a subtle zing.
Light Brown Sugar: Brings caramel notes to the topping, making each bite better than the last.
Old Fashioned Oats: Use these for that hearty, chewy texture—quick oats work but change the feel slightly.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the topping for that perfect crumble.
Kosher Salt: Just a pinch brightens flavors and balances sweetness.
Cold Unsalted Butter: The secret to a tender, flaky topping—make sure it’s cold so it cuts in properly.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is completely customizable. Over the years, I’ve played around with adding nuts, swapping spices, and switching up apples. Feel free to make it your own—cooking dessert should be fun!

Adding Nuts: I sometimes sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping for a nutty crunch that my family goes crazy for.
Spice it Up: Don’t hesitate to add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves, especially around the holidays—it gives the crisp a warm, festive vibe.
Seasonal Fruit Mix: While apples are classic, swapping half of them with pears or even berries can be a delicious twist I like to try in late summer.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free oats and a substitute flour blend to enjoy this dish if you have dietary restrictions—I’ve tested this with great success!

How to Make Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apples for the Perfect Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and buttering or spraying an 8×8 baking dish—this helps prevent sticking and adds a subtle richness around the edges. Peel, core, and chop your apples into bite-sized pieces. I like mine chopped because it creates fun little pockets of warm fruit rather than large slices. In a bowl, toss the apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of lemon juice. The lemon keeps them fresh and adds a slight tang. Once mixed, spread the spiced apples evenly in your prepared dish. This step sets the stage, so make sure those apples are well-coated!

Step 2: Craft the Crunchy Topping

In another bowl, combine brown sugar, oats, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Here’s where the butter shows its magic—cut cold, diced butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles peas. This might seem tedious, but I promise it’s worth it for that buttery, crumbly texture. If you’re like me, sometimes using my hands works faster because the warmth helps bind the crumbs just right. Spread this mixture evenly over the apple layer and gently pat it down so everything bakes evenly and crisps beautifully.

Step 3: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is a gorgeous golden brown and the apples below are bubbling juicy goodness. Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on it after 40 minutes to avoid burning the topping. What I learned early on is that baking it a bit longer lets the apples soften perfectly, but don’t wait too long or the topping might dry out. When in doubt, use a toothpick to check if the apples are tender through and through.

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Pro Tips for Making Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Choosing Apples: I always use a mix of apples if I’m going for extra depth of flavor—adding tart Granny Smiths balances the sweetness perfectly.
Butter Temperature: Cold butter creates better crumbs; don’t soften it or you’ll end up with a greasy topping.
Avoid Watery Crisp: If you find the juice from apples too runny, sprinkle a tablespoon of flour into the apple mix—I’ve found this keeps everything beautifully thick.
Baking Dish Size: Using the right-sized baking dish helps apples cook evenly—too small and it gets mushy, too big and it dries out.

How to Serve Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

A white bowl filled with warm apple crisp, showing soft, light golden apple chunks at the bottom. On top, there is a thick layer of brown crumbly oat topping with a slightly crunchy look. A scoop of melting white vanilla ice cream sits on the right side, with some ice cream melting into the apple crisp. A silver spoon is placed inside the bowl on the top right side. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For me, the perfect finishing touch is a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting over that warm apple crisp—it’s pure bliss. I also love whipped cream if I want something lighter, and sometimes I even sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on top to up the cozy factor. A drizzle of caramel sauce is a lovely indulgence for special occasions.

Side Dishes

While this apple crisp shines on its own, it pairs beautifully with hot beverages like a spiced chai latte or a bold cup of coffee. For a festive touch, I sometimes serve it alongside a lightly salted caramel latte or a glass of cold milk—that nostalgic combo never fails.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners or casual get-togethers, I love scooping the crisp into individual ramekins and topping with a sprig of fresh mint for color. Another fun idea I tried recently was layering the apple crisp with whipped mascarpone in clear glasses—it looked stunning and tasted like a decadent trifle without all the fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the leftover apple crisp with foil or plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge the same day—it keeps really well for 3 to 4 days. When I dig into it later, the flavor is just as delicious, and the topping stays wonderfully crisp if you reheat with care.

Freezing

Freezing apple crisp is a lifesaver on busy weeks! I haven’t personally tested freezing this recipe before baking, but after baking, it freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in foil and then in freezer-safe wrap. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat until warm and bubbly—like fresh from the oven.

Reheating

Reheating is easiest in a 350°F oven for about 20-30 minutes depending on the amount. This helps the topping regain its crispness, which microwave reheats unfortunately don’t do justice. If you’re in a hurry, a quick microwave zap followed by a brief toast under the broiler also works, just watch closely to avoid burning.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples in this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe?

Absolutely! While Golden Delicious works great because of its sweetness and texture, you can mix in tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet varieties like Fuji. Just keep in mind that the tartness of the apples will affect the overall flavor balance.
How do I prevent the crisp topping from getting soggy?

Using cold butter and cutting it properly into the dry ingredients creates a crumbly, crisp topping that bakes nicely. Also, avoid overcrowding the baking dish with apples to limit excess moisture, and consider adding a bit of flour to the apple mixture to thicken juices if needed.
Can I make this Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe ahead of time?

You can definitely bake it ahead and store it in the fridge overnight. Just reheat in the oven to bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth. Assembling it fully ahead hasn’t been tested by me, but readers suggest it’s doable if refrigerated closely.
Is this recipe gluten-free friendly?

With simple swaps like gluten-free oats and gluten-free flour blend, you can make this crisp gluten-free without sacrificing texture or taste. I’ve tried this substitution myself with great results!

Final Thoughts

This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is one of those timeless desserts that feels like a warm hug after a long day. I love how effortless it is to prepare, yet how impressive it tastes. If you’re looking for a cozy dessert that brings family and friends together, this is it. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it a new staple in your kitchen like I did!