This apple crisp is a warm, gooey dessert that captures the spirit of fall and the holidays. A sweet apple filling paired with a cinnamon-oat crumble bakes up quickly and requires just a few simple steps.
The aroma starts filling your kitchen shortly after it goes into the oven, building anticipation — and the flavor lives up to it.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Minimal prep time. This recipe takes about 10–15 minutes to prep and follows three main steps.
- Everyday ingredients. Simple pantry staples are all you need.
- Classic fall comfort. The warm, cinnamon-scented filling and crunchy topping evoke cozy fall memories and holiday gatherings.
Overview of Recipe Ingredients
This apple crisp has two parts: a sweet apple filling and a cinnamon crumble topping. Scroll to the recipe card below for exact amounts and full instructions.
- Apples: Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, or Granny Smith work well.
- Creamy peanut butter: warming it slightly makes it easier to combine into the filling.
- Vanilla extract: adds depth to the filling.
- Cornstarch: thickens the juices so the filling isn’t runny.
- Brown sugar: sweetens both filling and topping.
- Old-fashioned oats and flour: use your preferred varieties; gluten-free options work fine.
- Baking powder: gives the topping a slightly cookie-like texture.
- Butter, salt, and cinnamon: essential for flavor and texture in the crumble.
How to make an Apple Crisp
This apple crisp comes together in a few straightforward steps. Follow the guide below to prepare a comforting dessert everyone will enjoy.
Make the Apple Filling
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish. Toss peeled, cored, and chopped apples with warmed peanut butter, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until evenly coated. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. (Warming the peanut butter for about 10–15 seconds in the microwave makes it much easier to stir.)
Prepare the Cinnamon Crumble Topping
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Bake
Evenly sprinkle the crumble over the apples and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling. Let cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. It’s excellent with a scoop of ice cream.
Serve
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperature, flavor, and texture. For larger gatherings, you can also offer small savory bites alongside dessert to balance the menu.
- Pairing idea: small savory appetizers or other fall sweets work well when serving this crisp to a crowd.
Can I make an Apple Crisp ahead of time?
Yes. This crisp freezes well, either before or after baking, and is convenient to prepare in advance or in individual portions.
- To freeze uncooked: assemble as directed, wrap tightly in two layers of foil or plastic wrap, and freeze up to 6 months.
- To freeze cooked: cool completely, wrap in two layers of foil or plastic wrap, and freeze up to 6 months.
- Individual portions: assemble and bake (or freeze before baking) in a muffin tin or ramekins for single servings.
How should I store and reheat this Apple Crisp?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen up to 6 months. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts until warm, or bake at 325°F (covered with foil to avoid over-browning) until heated through — the oven method helps keep the topping crisp.
If frozen uncooked, bake from frozen and add about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time. Check toward the end and cover with foil if the topping is browning too quickly. Reheating times vary based on portion size and how thinly the apples were sliced.
Apple Crisp Recipe FAQ
Yes — use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free rolled oats to make this dish gluten free.
Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, or Granny Smith are all great choices depending on how sweet or tart you prefer the filling.
Other ways to prepare apples in the fall
Fall apples are versatile: bake, stuff, or slow-cook them for different desserts and breakfasts. Try baked apples, apple bars, spiced apples in a slow cooker, or apple-studded muffins for seasonal variety.
Get the Recipe:
Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs granny smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter, warmed*
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, we used gluten free all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup rolled oats, we used gluten free rolled oats
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2 qt baking dish.
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Toss the apples with the peanut butter, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ¼ tsp salt until well combined. Pour the apple mixture into the greased baking dish.
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Make the crumble topping. Stir the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Cut in the cubed butter until the mixture forms crumbs.
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Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
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Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Allow to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes and serve with ice cream.