I love this apple crisp that pairs tart Granny Smiths with a buttery, crunchy oat topping. The mix of sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice creates a mouthwatering filling, making each bite an explosion of flavors. I always enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a relaxing evening.
I’ve been experimenting with apple dishes for years and this Best Ever Apple Crisp always ends up as a crowd pleaser. I start with 6 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith ones work great) tossed in with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tsp cinnamon to boost the flavor and add some tartness.
I mix in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour with the apples to help thicken the mix. For the topping, I combine 1 cup old fashioned oats, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces along with 1/4 tsp salt.
This recipe not only fills you with fiber and vitamins from the apples but also serves as a fun twist on classics like a 9×13 Apple Crisp Recipe or even an Apple Crisp Pie version. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for a nutritious treat that never disappoints.
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I really like how the tartness of the Granny Smith apples mixed with the hint of lemon juice and sugar creates such a fresh and vibrant flavor that just wakes up my taste buds.
2. The crunchy, buttery, oat topping is simply irresistible; it’s like eating a perfect mix of cookie and crumble which gives the dish a fun texture contrast.
3. Every time I make it, I remember those family get-togethers and how this dessert was always a hit, making me feel nostalgic and happy.
4. I appreciate how easy it is to put together, even when I’m not feeling super fancy in the kitchen, which makes me wanna try more recipes like this one.
Ingredients
- Apples: Provide natural sweetness, fiber, vitamins, and a tangy flavor which is pretty healthy.
- Lemon Juice: Adds zesty sourness and stops apples from browning while boosting vitamin C.
- Old Fashioned Oats: Give hearty chewiness and fiber that helps digestion and adds texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and a crisp, creamy finish even though it’s high in fat.
- Ground Cinnamon: Infuses a warm spice that balances sweetness and brings a kick of flavor.
Ingredient Quantities
- 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (about 6 medium Granny Smith apples are awesome)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for the apple mix)
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for the topping)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1/4 tsp salt
How to Make this
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a big bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of flour until they are well-coated.
3. Pour the apple mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. In another bowl, mix together the old fashioned oats, the 1 cup of flour, light brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.
5. Add the cold butter pieces to the oat mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend it all until it looks crumbly.
6. Evenly sprinkle the oat topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 to 50 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling and soft.
8. Check that its done by poking a fork into the apples; it should slide right in.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes so its not too hot.
10. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. 9×13 inch baking dish
3. Large mixing bowl for tossing apples
4. Second mixing bowl for making the oat topping
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Knife, peeler, and apple corer for prepping the apples
7. Cutting board
8. Pastry cutter or fork for mixing the butter into the oat mixture
9. Spatula or large spoon for stirring and evenly spreading the topping
10. Cooling rack or plate to let the dessert cool after baking
FAQ
BEST EVER APPLE CRISP Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of lemon juice, you can try using lime juice or a bit of diluted white vinegar which works pretty well
- If you dont have granulated sugar, you could use coconut sugar or even maple syrup, but you might need a tad less liquid
- You can substitute the cinnamon with a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg if you want a different spice twist
- For the topping butter, chilled coconut oil makes a good dairy free option and gives a nice texture
- If you don’t have old fashioned oats, quick oats can do the job but they might make the crisp a bit softer
Pro Tips
1. Try to work with the butter as cold as possible so when you mix it in it stays chunky. Warm butter can melt too fast making the topping turn all greasy, so just be sure its properly chilled before you start.
2. If you want your crisp extra tasty, let it sit for a bit after cooking. Allowing it to rest for about 10 minutes not only stops you from burning your tongue but also helps bring all those flavors together.
3. Experiment by adding a pinch of another spice like nutmeg or ginger to the apple mix. A little extra spice might make your dish more interesting without overpowering the apples.
4. When you’re mixing the topping, try not to over mix it. Keeping the mix a bit rough and crumbly will give you that perfect crunchy texture on top, rather than a uniform dough that might turn out heavy when baked.
BEST EVER APPLE CRISP Recipe
My favorite BEST EVER APPLE CRISP Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. 9×13 inch baking dish
3. Large mixing bowl for tossing apples
4. Second mixing bowl for making the oat topping
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Knife, peeler, and apple corer for prepping the apples
7. Cutting board
8. Pastry cutter or fork for mixing the butter into the oat mixture
9. Spatula or large spoon for stirring and evenly spreading the topping
10. Cooling rack or plate to let the dessert cool after baking
Ingredients:
- 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (about 6 medium Granny Smith apples are awesome)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for the apple mix)
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for the topping)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a big bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of flour until they are well-coated.
3. Pour the apple mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. In another bowl, mix together the old fashioned oats, the 1 cup of flour, light brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.
5. Add the cold butter pieces to the oat mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend it all until it looks crumbly.
6. Evenly sprinkle the oat topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 to 50 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling and soft.
8. Check that its done by poking a fork into the apples; it should slide right in.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes so its not too hot.
10. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!