Easy Apple Crisp
This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe, is an old fashioned recipe, made just the way my Mom made it! And yes without oats. Tender brown sugar and cinnamon apples baked in a tasty crispy topping. The perfect Fall dessert! Serve it with a scoop of ice cream. This is definitely the reason why Dessert should be served first!
This is a recipe that my Mom would always make during the cooler months. I guess you could call it an Old Fashioned Apple Crisp. It is sweet and delicious and has no oats in it. Exactly the way I like it!
How to make it
In a small bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the softened butter and combine to form large crumbs.
In a large bowl add the apples as you slice them and drizzle a little lemon juice on them, (this keeps them from turning brown). Add the cinnamon, brown sugar and corn starch if using.
In lightly buttered baking pan add the apple mixture and top with the crumb topping. It will be very full but don’t worry as the apples bake the mixture will flatten. Let it cool for about 15 minutes then serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
What are the best apples to use?
You are going to want an apple that doesn’t become mushy while baking, these are the perfect choice. Northern Spy, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, and Golden Delicious apples. I usually reach for Gala apples. Avoid soft apples such as Macintosh, they tend to get mushy when baked.
If you don’t want to you don’t have to peel the apples. If you want you can add a little cornstarch to the sliced apples to thicken up the sauce. I don’t find it watery but if you like a thicker sauce than 1 – 1 1/2 tablespoons should do.
How to store it
The Apple crisp can be kept at room temperature for a day, after that it should be covered well and refrigerated. It will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. The topping can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or placed in a freezer safe bag or container and stored in the freezer for up to a month.
How to reheat it
The crisp can be reheated in either a low oven for about 15 minutes or in the microwave.
What can I substitute for apples?
An Apple Crisp can easily become a blueberry, peach or even a plum crisp. Just be sure to use firm but ripe fruit.
More Apple Recipes
So if you do give this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe a try let me know how it is. Enjoy!
Easy Apple Crisp
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUMB MIXTURE
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup butter (softened)*
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
*If you use unsalted butter then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
FOR THE APPLE MIXTURE
- 5 large apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar*
- 1 -1½ tablespoons corn starch**
*If your apples are sweet you may want to add only a tablespoon of sugar.
**If you want a thicker sauce then add a little corn starch. I did not add any to my apple crisp.
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F. Lightly butter an 8 inch (20cm) round or square baking pan.
FOR THE CRUMB MIXTURE
- In a small bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the softened butter and combine to form large crumbs. Set aside.
FOR THE APPLE MIXTURE
- In a large bowl add the apples as you slice them and drizzle a little of the lemon juice on them, mix to combine as you slice, (this keeps them from turning brown). Then add the cinnamon, brown sugar and corn starch if using, and gently combine well.
- In the prepared baking pan add the apple mixture and top with the crumb topping. The pan will be very full but don't worry as the apples bake the mixture will flatten. Bake for approximately 45-60 minutes or until the apples are tender (using a toothpick).Let it cool for about 15 minutes then serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Enjoy!
My whole family always made apple crisp like this! We are from New England, and most places serve it without the oats. I will eat both. Lol! Bring on apple season!
Thanks, Rosemary!
Hi Lydia, thanks, and yes I would probably eat it both ways also. Take care and have a great weekend!
Hi Rosemary, I use the exact same recipe as yours and love it. I don’t like the ones with rolled oats. This recipe is nice and easy and our favourite.
Hi Marianne, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care and have a great weekend!
Isn’t it funny how families like many dishes the way Mom made them. My family likes apple crisp because of the oats topping! It sounds like your recipe is a winner though.
Hi Vivian, yes it is funny, we actually prefer the none oat topping 🙂 Thanks. Take care!
I just made it and wanted to tell you that it is indeed easy. I loved your tip about making the crumb mixture the day before. It just went so much faster. Whenever I make a crumb cake/pie, after I prepare the base I’m dreading making the crumb mixture. I’m like you, I don’t like oats in my crumbs. Thanks for another great recipe.
Hi Ann, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Yeah crumb mixture isn’t my favourite part either! Take care and have a great week.
What are the instructions for baking? Temp. and time? Thanks,💕
Hi Denise, the instructions are in the recipe card at the end of the post. 🙂
I received this post yesterday, early afternoon. I had everything on hand, so I made this Apple Crisp for last evening’s dessert. This was seriously the VERY BEST we ever had! Thank you, Rosemary. 🙂
Thanks so Angelina, so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.
I’m either blind or you don’t say what temp and how long to bake this
Hi Donna, no you aren’t blind it was totally me. I have added it in, sorry about that and thanks. Have a great weekend.
Not sure where you mom came from, but my mom from northern Florida, and later from NJ made her apple crisp the EXACT same way. Same ingredients, same with lemon juice. Exact crumbs. Thanks for posting thid and I’m off to the store to buy some apples.
Hi Beth, my Mom was born and raised in Toronto. But best apple crisp I have ever eaten. They knew a good apple crisp! Have a great weekend.