Apple Crisp Recipe With Oats: The Coziest Fall Dessert
The first time I baked this crisp, the scent of cinnamon apples bubbling under a golden oat topping filled the kitchen and instantly brought back memories of my grandmother’s baking. She often whipped up a large apple crisp recipe to feed the whole family after Sunday dinners. The crunch of oats and the sweetness of tender apples always felt like a hug in dessert form. Today, this ape crisp recipe (yes, even with its funny misspelling people search for online) has become one of my go-to fall treats. Whether you’re making a green apple crisp, a version with dried fruit, or even a personal apple crisp in ramekins, this recipe delivers comfort in every bite.
Apple Crisp Recipe with Oats
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 or 8×8 inch baking dish depending on your desired thickness.
- In a bowl, toss sliced apples with sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Spread evenly into the baking dish.
- In another bowl, combine 1 cup flour, oats, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Why you’ll love this apple crisp recipe with oats
- Versatile enough for any season — you can even make apple crisp from frozen apples for convenience.
- A cozy apple pie crisp recipe that blends the best of apple pie and crisp together.
- Great for gatherings — bake a big batch apple crisp in a 9×13 dish for holidays.
- Customizable: make mini ramekins for personal apple crisp servings or swap in pears for a twist.
- Easy ingredients, big payoff — oats, butter, cinnamon, and apples never fail.
Ingredients you’ll need
| Ingredient | Measurement | Substitution Tips |
| Baking apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji) | 6 medium (6–7 cups sliced) | Try green apple crisp for extra tartness |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup | Swap with coconut sugar |
| All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup (filling) + 1 cup (topping) | Almond flour for gluten-free |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 1/2 teaspoons total | Pumpkin pie spice |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 teaspoon | Optional |
| Lemon juice | 2 tablespoons | Brightens flavor |
| Brown sugar | 1/2 cup | Dark brown sugar = deeper taste |
| Old-fashioned rolled oats | 1/2 cup | Quick oats work too |
| Cold unsalted butter | 1/2 cup | Vegan butter option |
| Pinch of salt | — | Balances sweetness |
Pro tip: This also works well as part of dried apple recipes — simply rehydrate dried apples or mix with fresh slices for a concentrated flavor.
How to make apple crisp with oats
- Preheat & prep: Oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish (9×13 for large apple crisp recipe or 8×8 for thicker results).
- Apple filling: Toss apples (fresh, dried, or even frozen for apple crisp from frozen apples) with sugar, flour, spices, and lemon juice. Spread evenly.
- Topping: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Assemble: Sprinkle topping over apples.
- Bake: 45–55 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Tent foil if topping browns too fast.
- Cool & serve: Rest 15 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Variation idea: For a shortcut dessert, try apple crisp with apple pie filling — just swap the fresh apple mixture with a canned pie filling, then add the oat topping.
How to serve apple crisp
- Classic style: With vanilla ice cream melting on top.
- Holiday twist: Add caramel drizzle for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- Mini versions: Bake personal apple crisps in ramekins for dinner parties.
- Breakfast version: Pair with yogurt for a cozy morning treat.
Secrets to perfect apple crisp
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for depth (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp).
- Cold butter = crumbly topping.
- Don’t skip lemon juice — it balances sweetness.
- Bake until bubbly so the apples soften completely.
- Rest before serving so the filling thickens.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mushy apples: Use firm baking apples, not overly ripe.
- Soggy topping: Make sure butter is cold and crumbly.
- Undercooked filling: Always wait for bubbling edges.
- Too sweet: Add tart apples or reduce sugar slightly.
Storage & reheating instructions
| Storage Method | How to Store | How to Reheat |
| Room Temp | Cover and keep 1 day | Oven 300°F (150°C) for 10 min |
| Fridge | Airtight up to 5 days | Microwave 30–45 sec |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months (wrap tightly) | Thaw overnight, reheat in oven |
Tip: For big batch apple crisp, bake, cool, then portion into containers for freezer meal prep.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make apple crisp from frozen apples?
Yes! Just add an extra tablespoon of flour to absorb liquid from thawing.
Can I turn this into an apple pie crisp recipe?
Absolutely — layer apples as you would for pie, then top with this oat crumble.
What are some dried apple recipes I can try with this?
Mix dried apples with fresh ones for extra concentrated apple flavor in your crisp.
How do I make a personal apple crisp?
Divide the filling and topping into small ramekins and bake for 25–30 minutes.
Can I use apple pie filling instead of fresh apples?
Yes, apple crisp with apple pie filling is a quick shortcut when you need dessert fast.
Conclusion
This apple crisp recipe with oats is the ultimate comfort dessert. Whether you make a large apple crisp recipe for a family gathering, a personal apple crisp for date night, or even a shortcut apple crisp with apple pie filling, it never fails to impress. Try swapping in frozen apples, dried apples, or green apples to keep it fresh each season.
Save this cozy dessert for fall baking — and don’t forget to share it with friends who love warm, homey treats.
