Old fashioned apple crisp is the ultimate fall dessert that delivers cozy goodness in each bite. With tender apples blanketed in a crispy, cinnamon-spiced topping, this classic treat celebrates the best flavors of the season. I’ve been baking apple crisps for years, and this simple recipe always impresses. The fragrant topping mingles deliciously with softened apples and it’s easier to throw together than you may think. Believe the hype – this nostalgic crisp belongs on your fall baking bucket list.
What apple varieties work best?
I prefer mixing sweet Honeycrisp apples with tart Granny Smiths. The combination creates nice apple flavor depth. Stay away from mealy varieties like Red Delicious. Thinly slicing the apples helps them soften into a lovely buttery texture during baking.
Does the topping need to be cold?
Not at all! Blending room temperature butter into the dry ingredients makes for easy mixing. The chilled butter slices right into the brown sugar, oats, flour, spices and pinches of salt, creating a crispy, crunchy topping as it bakes.
What if I don’t have nutmeg?
No worries! Nutmeg addswarm flavor but cinnamon can stand in beautifully on its own. I suggest a full tablespoon for maximum apple pie spice vibes. Leaving it out won’t ruin the crisp if you’re in a pinch.
How long does it keep?
While technically safe at room temperature up to 2 days, I refrigerate any leftovers. Sealed apple crisp keeps remarkably well for a week when chilled. And it takes just 20 seconds to reheat a serving in the microwave.
What about diet varieties?
Consider swapping half the brown sugar for a granulated sweetener if carving back sugar. Or up the oats and reduce other carbs. Despite tweaks, this homey bake always says fall in the most delicious way!
Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients List:
- Apples, thinly sliced: 4 (around 6 cups)
- Light brown sugar: ¼ cup (for apples)
- Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon (for apples)
Topping Mixture:
- All-purpose flour: ½ cup (or oat flour for a gluten-free option)
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: ½ cup
- Light brown sugar: ⅔ cup
- Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon
- Nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
- Kosher salt: ¼ teaspoon
- Butter, softened: ⅓ cup
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter a baking dish (8, 9, or 10 inches).
- Place sliced apples in the dish. Evenly distribute ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon over them, mixing well with your hands.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt for the topping. Add the softened butter, blending with a fork or fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Evenly sprinkle this crumbly topping over the apples.
- Bake for 30-32 minutes, until the topping is golden and apples are soft.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Additional Tips:
- If the butter isn’t soft enough to mix with dry ingredients for the topping, microwave the mixture for 10-15 seconds to soften the butter.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with oat flour.
