Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp – Sweet Easy Recipes for a Cozy Treat
Apples were practically begging to be baked, and I couldn’t resist. This old-fashioned apple crisp recipe is my go-to every fall. Why? Because it’s warm, cozy, and loaded with cinnamon-kissed apples under a buttery oat topping that crackles just right. And yes—it’s even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into every crevice.
If you’ve ever had a dessert that made you stop mid-bite and smile, this is that dessert. It’s simple, stress-free, and doesn’t require fancy techniques or special equipment. Peel some apples, toss a few pantry staples, and your kitchen starts to smell like an autumn dream. No pie crusts to roll out, no complicated steps.
I’ve made this for family gatherings, weeknight cravings, and even Thanksgiving when I didn’t feel like making a whole pie. If you’re new to baking or just want a recipe that always delivers, trust me—this is the one. Let’s grab some apples and get to it.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 5 pounds firm apples, such as a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel, core, and slice the apples. I like a mix of tart and sweet apples for balance.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with both zests, both juices, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, both sugars, salt, and oats.
- Add the cold diced butter and use your fingers (or a pastry cutter) to mix until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples. Don’t press it down—let it fall like apple crisp snow.
- Bake for about 60 minutes until the topping is golden and the apple juices are bubbling.
- Let it cool slightly (if you can wait), and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.