Zesty Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe

I find that this Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp brings a sense of nostalgia that few other desserts can match.

It combines tart, tender apples with a sweet oat topping that crisps up beautifully in the oven. You will love how simple it is to pull together for a last-minute family treat.

What Makes This Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp a Keeper for Years to Come

This recipe strikes the perfect balance between the tartness of the fruit and the rich sweetness of the crumble. I appreciate that it requires minimal prep time compared to rolling out a finicky pie crust.

The sauce created by the flour and butter mixture coats every slice for maximum flavor in every bite. It serves as a wonderful crowd-pleaser that feels rustic and homemade.

You can easily double the batch for larger gatherings without any extra hassle. I often make this when I need a reliable dessert that everyone at the table will enjoy.

If this dish hit the spot, you’ll want to try my Cozy Candied Orange Slices Recipe next, plus the Quick Grapefruit Drizzle Cake Recipe delivers the same bold flavors.

Everything You Need for Perfect Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Here are the pantry staples and fresh items required for this recipe:

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: Provides the classic texture for the crisp topping.
• All-purpose flour: Used in both the crumb topping and the apple filling to thicken the sauce.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a rich molasses flavor to the sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon: The essential spice for that warm, baked apple flavor.
• Baking powder: Helps the topping texture become slightly lighter.
• Salted butter: You will need cold butter for the topping and melted butter for the filling.
• Granny Smith apples: These tart apples hold their shape best during baking.
• Lemon juice: Prevents the apples from browning and adds a zesty brightness.
• Milk: Creates a creamy consistency in the filling sauce.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle nutty spice note to the filling.

My Method for Perfect Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Let’s get cooking!

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F so it is ready when you are. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or a fork to cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs, then place this bowl in the refrigerator while you prepare the fruit.
2. Peel, core, and thinly slice your Granny Smith apples to ensure they cook evenly. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and flour until smooth, then stir in the lemon juice, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour this spiced butter mixture over your sliced apples in a large bowl and toss everything gently until the fruit is thoroughly coated.
3. Transfer the coated apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and spread it out into an even layer to ensure consistent baking. Take your chilled crumble topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle it generously and evenly over the top of the apples. I like to make sure every bit of fruit is covered by the oat mixture for the best texture ratio.
4. Bake the Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp for approximately 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling. Once removed from the oven, let the dessert rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. This resting time is crucial as it allows the sauce to thicken properly and makes serving much neater.

My Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp Secrets

Choosing the right apple variety is crucial for ensuring the fruit holds its shape during baking. I recommend using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best texture in this Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp.

Make sure to let the dessert cool for at least fifteen minutes after removing it from the oven. This resting period allows the spiced sauce to thicken properly around the fruit.

If you prefer a nuttier flavor, you can add a few chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat mixture. I sometimes sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top right before serving for an aromatic finish.

How I Like to Serve This Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Nothing beats serving this warm dessert with a generous scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast between the hot, spiced apples and the cold, melting cream is absolutely wonderful.

For an extra touch of indulgence, I like to drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the bowl just before eating. This Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp also pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning.

I love seeing what you create in the kitchen, so be sure to follow me on Pinterest.

Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 56 min
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A comforting Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp with tender Granny Smith apples and a buttery oat topping.

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Ingredients

• 3–4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (for topping)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
• 1/2 cup salted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
• 3 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar (for filling)
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for filling)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine oats, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and baking powder. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly and refrigerate.
2. Peel, core, and slice the apples. In a small bowl, whisk melted butter and 2 tablespoons flour until smooth, then add lemon juice, milk, vanilla, 1/4 cup brown sugar, remaining cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour this over the apples and toss to coat.
3. Spread the apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the chilled oat topping evenly over the apples.
4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Notes

Granny Smith apples work best for tartness and texture, but Honeycrisp is a great alternative.

• Prep Time: 18 min
• Resting Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 38 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 382
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 64mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 57g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 42mg

Keywords: Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp, easy apple dessert, homemade fruit crisp, baked apple recipe