Nothing says fall like tender chunks of apple, warm cinnamon and a buttery oatmeal crumble!  This Apple Crisp Recipe delivers all the flavors of fall and includes gluten free and vegan options.  It’s so easy to make and may be made completely in advance!

Bowl of apple crisp topped with ice cream

This past weekend was my blog’s 8 year anniversary!   It’s been a wonderful journey, and after all these years I still love what I do.  I’m constantly learning more and more about cooking, photography and the business side, which truly keeps this job interesting.  🙂

This Apple Crisp recipe was one of the first recipes that I published.  While I make my other fruit crisp recipes often, including strawberry rhubarb and pear crumble, this version is a family favorite.

It truly doesn’t get better than the scent of apples and cinnamon as this crisp bakes up, and it tastes even better.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • This is truly the best apple crisp recipe!  Tender chunks of apples are combined with the warm, cozy flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar and a buttery oatmeal crumble topping.  
  • The recipe includes a combination of Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples for the perfect balance of tart-sweet flavor.
  • It’s extremely easy to make, and may be assembled in advance.
  • This recipe is easily made gluten free and vegan for special diets.

Recipe ingredients

This easy apple crisp recipe includes basic ingredients that you no doubt already have on hand.  

Apple crisp recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Apples.  Use baking apples for best results as they hold their shape better.  I used a combination of Granny Smith and Pink Lady Apples for the perfect balance of tart sweet flavor, but Jonagold, Braeburn, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious are also great options.
  • Butter.  Use unsalted butter to control the sodium.  The butter may be substituted with the same amount of coconut oil for a dairy free, vegan alternative.
  • All purpose flour.   Make this a gluten free apple crisp by substituting the flour with Gluten Free 1 to 1 flour or almond flour.
  • Rolled oats.  The rolled oats may be substituted with quick oats if that’s what you have on hand, but do not use steel cut oats.  Use gluten free certified oats to make this gluten free.

How to make this recipe

This apple crisp recipe is extremely easy to make.  It takes only 15 minutes of prep and may be made and assembled in advance.  

Prep the apples:

How to peel and chop an apple collage
  1. Peel the apples with a vegetable peeler.
  2. Stand the apples up on a cutting board and remove each side by cutting from the top down around the core.
  3. Cut the apple slices into 1″ chunks.

Prepare the filling

How to make apple crisp filling process collage

4. Place the apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and two teaspoons of cinnamon in a medium bowl and stir well to combine.

5. Grease a 9×13″ baking dish and pour the filling evenly into the dish.

Prepare the crumble

How to make oatmeal crumble

6. Melt the butter in a medium bowl.

7. Add the oats, flour, brown sugar, remaining teaspoon of cinnamon and salt, and stir well to combine.

Bake the apple crisp

How to make apple crisp process collage

8. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling.  Bake the crisp at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.  Cover the crisp with foil after 30 minutes if it begins to brown too quickly. 

9. Cool on a wire rack for a minimum of 15 minutes and serve warm.

FAQs

What apples are best for apple crisp?

Use baking apples for best results as they hold their shape better. 

Baking apples include Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious.

I always use a combination of Granny Smith and Pink Lady Apples for the perfect balance of tart sweet flavor.

Can I make this recipe gluten free?

Substitute the all purpose flour with gluten free 1 to 1 flour or almond flour to make this apple crisp gluten free.

Can apple crisp sit out overnight?

It’s perfectly fine to store apple crisp at room temperature covered with foil or plastic wrap.  It will keep up to 2 days at room temperature, or 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

The crumble topping will become soggy after refrigeration.

How do you reheat apple crisp?

You can easily reheat the crisp in the microwave or in the oven just until warm.

Apple crisp recipe in baking dish on wire rack

Recipe notes

  • Apple crisp may be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge until 30-45 minutes before baking time (bring to room temperature prior to baking for more even baking).
  • Leftovers may be stored in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.  Note that the crumble topping will become soggy after refrigeration.
  • The granulated and brown sugars may be substituted with an equal amount of coconut sugar if you’d like to make this crisp refined sugar free.
  • Make this a gluten free apple crisp by substituting the flour with Gluten Free 1 to 1 flour or almond flour.
  • The butter may be substituted with the same amount of coconut oil for a dairy free, vegan alternative.
  • Change it up and add chopped walnuts or pecans in the crisp topping, or use my Homemade Chai Spice instead of cinnamon!
Serving of apple crisp in a bowl with ice cream on top

More apple recipes you’ll love:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Bowl of apple crisp topped with ice cream

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe is tender chunks of apples with brown sugar, warm cinnamon and a hearty oatmeal crumble! It's full of fall flavor and includes gluten-free and vegan options!
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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds apples (I used half Granny Smith and half Pink Lady apples)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon divided
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter substitute with melted coconut oil for vegan option
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup all purpose flour substitute with gluten free 1 to 1 flour or almond flour to make gluten free
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9" baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Peel the apples with a vegetable peeler.
  • Stand the apple up on a cutting board and cut each side around the core.
  • Place each piece of apple cut side down and chop into 1" chunks.
    How to peel and chop an apple collage
  • Place the apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a large bowl and stir until combined.
  • Pour the apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
    How to make apple crisp filling process collage
  • Melt the butter in a medium bowl in the microwave for 40-60 seconds.
  • Add the oats, flour, brown sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon and salt and stir well until combined.
    How to make oatmeal crumble
  • Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes until bubbly and golden brown, and the apples are at the desired level of tenderness. Cover loosely with foil if the crisp is browning too quickly. Cool on a wire rack for a minimum of 15 minutes and serve warm. Enjoy!
    How to make apple crisp process collage

Notes

  • Apple crisp may be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge until 30-45 minutes before baking time (bring to room temperature prior to baking for more even baking).
  • Leftovers may be stored in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.  Note that the crumble topping will become soggy after refrigeration.
  • The granulated and brown sugars may be substituted with an equal amount of coconut sugar if you’d like to make this crisp refined sugar free.
  • Make this a gluten free apple crisp by substituting the flour with Gluten Free 1 to 1 flour or almond flour.
  • The butter may be substituted with the same amount of coconut oil for a dairy free, vegan alternative.
  • Change it up and add chopped walnuts or pecans in the crisp topping, or use my Homemade Chai Spice instead of cinnamon!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 375kcal, Carbohydrates: 65g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 80mg, Potassium: 248mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 446IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

**This post was originally published in November 2012.  The photos, recipe and text have been updated.

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