If you are looking for an easy APPLE CRISP RECIPE that your family will love, look no further! Warm apples mixed with cinnamon, brown sugar, buttery oats, ice cream and caramel sauce come together in this deliciously decadent dessert. .
Warm and comforting desserts are a favorite of mine, and this caramel Apple Crisp Recipe is no exception. There is just some sort of special magic that happens when a warm apple dessert meets a cool and creamy scoop of ice cream.
While apple desserts are always great on their own, I love to pair this apple crisp with caramel sauce. Together they really create a fantastic flavor combination in this caramel apple crisp recipe, as well as in my Apple Cobbler recipe. For this recipe I used my Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce, but you could also use your favorite jarred variety
The Best Apples For Apple Crisp Recipes
When baking with apples, the apple varieties that you use can have a big impact on the end result.
I find that some apples are best for simply eating and enjoying, while others are more suitable for baking. Some apples can lose a lot of their moisture, resulting in a watery baked goods, while other apples can get a bit mealy when baked.
What Are The Best Apples To Bake With
As delicious as apple dessert recipes are, the end result can really vary based on the apples used. Texture is really important when baking with apples, and apples that are crisp and firm tend to hold their shape better when baked. Flavor also matters, with a sweet tart apple producing the best results in your baked desserts.
My go to apple for baking is the Granny Smith.
Granny Smith apples tend to have very consistent results in my apple crisp with oatmeal, as well as other baked apple recipes. They are almost always available at your local grocery store, which is nice.
However I actually prefer to combine two or three apple varieties when baking this apple crisp or apple pies. For most recipes I use about 60% Granny Smith apples and 40% other type of apples. Here is a list of what I think are the best apples for baking with:
Best Baking Apples and Best Apples For Apple Pie
- Granny Smith
- Jonagold
- Golden Delicious
- Honeycrisp
- Jonathan
- Braeburn
- Pink Lady
Apples To Avoid When Baking
- Red Delicious
- Fuji
- McIntosh
- Gala
- Rome
While Red Delicious is a very common apple, I find that it really does very poorly in most baked apple recipes.
On our family vacation last summer we visited a great apple farm in California called Jack Creek Farms. This was one of those random spur of the moment road trip stops that ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip. So much so we re-routed our return drive for a second stop!
While we were enjoying their apple cider slushees, I asked the ladies what apples they prefer for baking.They also said that they always use a variety of apples when baking. So when in doubt, get a variety of apples for your apple desserts and for this apple crisp recipe. Also when near Paso Robles, California, visit Jack Creek Farms!
For this easy apple crisp I used both Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples.
How To Make Apple Crisp
Apple Crisp Topping
For this recipe I prepare my crumb topping first. The apple crisp topping is quite simple, it’s made of flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter.
After making the topping, I then peel and slice my apples when I’m ready to use them. I toss them with a bit of lemon juice to help slow down the browning process, as well as some cinnamon and sugar for extra flavor. Cornstarch is also included in my recipe. This helps make sure that your apple filling is not overly runny.
Thankfully this easy apple crisp recipe comes together quickly, and you can serve it warm right out of the oven.
I like to put this in the oven right before we sit down to eat, the timing works out great for a delicious, warm dessert after our meal. In theory ice cream is optional, but in my home ice cream on warm apple desserts is never optional. It’s flat our mandatory!
I used my homemade caramel sauce for this, but you can use a jar version as well.
Going camping or enjoying a campfire? Try my Foil Apple Pie Packets recipe. Want to start your day with apples? Apple Fritter Bread is the way to go! More in the mood for pie? This Caramel Apple Pie is mouth wateringly delicious! Looking for EASY? Baked Cinnamon Apples are the way to go!
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Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats instant or old fashioned are acceptable
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter cold and cut into small pieces
- 2 quarts apples approximately 6-8 large apples, peeled and cubed
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Garnish:
- Caramel Sauce
- Vanilla Ice Cream Optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, cinnamon and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture has a crumbly texture. Set aside.
- Grease the sides and bottom of a 13x9 baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine remaining sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch.
- Place chopped and peeled apples into a large bowl. Drizzle lemon juice over apples and stir to combine. Sprinkle sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch mixture over apples and stir to combine well.
- Pour apple mixture into prepared pan. Top with crumb mixture.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Place each serving in a bowl and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator, and reheat individual servings if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
More Apple Recipes
Need more apple recipes in your life? I hear you.
If you love cheesecake, and you love apples, then you simply must make Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars. I also believe in apples for breakfast. Apple Breakfast Cookies anyone?
But wait, there are more apple recipes! Don’t miss these apple filled foods!
- Apple Pie Foil Packets
- Caramel Apple Crumble
- Apple Cinnamon Cookies
- Chicken Apple Salad
- Apple Pie Waffles
- Apple Pie – Six Ways
- Dutch Apple Pie
- Chocolate Covered Apples
My friends have some pretty amazing apple recipes as well! Sommer over at A Spicy Perspective has a drool worthy Caramel Apple Soft Pretzel recipe. Stephanie over at Back For Seconds has a yummy recipe for Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Bars. Don’t miss the Quick Cranberry Apple Cobbler recipe that Amanda has over at Amanda’s Recipes.
And if apples aren’t your thing go grab Barefeet In The Kitchen’s Peach Cobbler.
You know what they say about an apple a day!
PIN THIS APPLE CRISP RECIPE
Originally Published October 2017.
Jessica says
So cool! I live in Paso Robles where Jack Creek Farm is. I saw that and was like wow, small world! <3
Now I guess I HAVE TO try this recipe!
Christi Johnstone says
Jessica, I’m more than a little bit jealous! We love Paso Robles – the entire area is fantastic. At some point go have an Apple Cider Slushee for me at Jack Creek Farms!
Gia says
Best ever ! I made extra topping and OMG?
Sadika says
Hi there can the recipe be made in advance and then put in the oven when required for example the following day? Thanks in advance.
Christi Johnstone says
Sadika, I personally am not a fan of ever doing anything with apples in advance, I just don’t like how sitting changes the texture of apples. Honestly this is every it as good reheated. I would make it in advance, then just reheat when serving. Otherwise you could prep your topping in advance, and if you personally are okay with apples being cut and used at a later time, I’d prep them in their own separate container, then assemble and bake.
Pam says
Recipe is good except the apples need more cinnamon on them. I will be making this again.
Abby says
I come back to this recipe every Fall. The ratios for the crisp are perfect and there is plenty of it to put on top.
Christi Johnstone says
So glad you like this apple crisp, Abby! I need to make it again myself soon!
Amanda says
Hi and thank you so much for linking to my Cranberry Apple Cobbler! I discovered it when going through errors in my Search Console. Looks like there’s a letter missing from my url so it’s going to a 404 error page 🙂 If you wouldn’t mind editing that I would really appreciate it! Here’s the correct URL and again, thanks! https://amandascookin.com/quick-cranberry-apple-cobbler/
Amanda says
I LOVE apple crisp, it is probably my favorite fall dessert! I can’t wait to try out your recipe with all these delicious apples I have on hand. Although I will admit, the topping is always the best part! I think this would pair amazing with a nice Gewürztraminer wine to really bring out the flavors. Cheers!