
By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 17, 2018

I love apple anything, especially this time of year. It’s so fun to go apple picking on a weekend afternoon and then come home to start baking. This easy apple crisp is one of my favorite fall desserts to make because it’s so simple, cozy, and delicious. I layer juicy apple filling with a crumbly, sweet, and oaty topping to create the ultimate comforting dessert.

I just want to start out this easy apple crisp recipe by saying yum! I absolutely love fall because it brings the coziest recipes with it. Baking apples into anything and everything is a must during this season, so I’m really excited about this homemade apple crisp! I love the sweet flavor of the apples and the crunchy texture of the crumbly apple crisp topping. Together, it becomes the perfect fall dessert! Add a scoop of ice cream and you’re really in business.
What’s in This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe?
- Apples: I prefer to use a tart variety, like Granny Smith, for this recipe. They hold up well to baking and aren’t too sweet.
- Lemon Juice: Prevents the apples from browning.
- Orange Zest: Adds a touch of freshness to the apples.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the apples and the topping.
- Apple Pie Spice: Adds warmth to the apples and the topping.
- Butter: Unsalted butter binds the crumb topping and keeps it moist.
- Flour: All-purpose flour gives the crumb topping structure.
- Quick Oats: Add texture and flavor to the crumb topping.

Tips for Success
- I opted not to peel my apples since I like the added texture, but you can peel them if you prefer.
- For a little extra something, I like to fold some chopped walnuts into the filling.
- When I have a little extra time, I like to toast the oats before adding them to the topping.
- If the topping is browning too much before the end of the baking time, tent it with foil.
- You can assemble the apple crisp up to a day in advance, store it in the fridge, then bake it fresh just before serving
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let come to room temperature before reheating in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, or until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions
To me, there’s no better accompaniment to apple crisp than a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce . The sensation of hot and cold is delightful, and I love the creamy element the ice cream adds to the dish. My pumpkin ice cream is also delish, or you could go more simple with some whipped cream .
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Apple Filling
- ▢ 8 cups sliced Granny Smith apples 904 grams (from about 6 apples)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice 14 grams (from 1 lemon)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons orange zest (from 1 orange)
- ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar 52 grams
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 1¼ teaspoons apple pie spice 4 grams
For the Crumble Topping
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ▢ ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
- ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour 120 grams
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- ▢ ¼ cup quick oats 23 grams
Video
Instructions
For the Apple Filling
- Wash and dry the apples. The apples can be peeled or unpeeled; it’s a personal preference. Slice the apples into ¼-inch slices and place in a large bowl. 8 cups sliced Granny Smith apples
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the apple slices and toss so the apples slices are covered with lemon juice. This will prevent the apple slices from browning. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Add the orange zest, brown sugar, kosher salt and pie spice. Mix well. 2 tablespoons orange zest, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 1¼ teaspoons apple pie spice
- Pour the apples into a buttered baking dish and set aside.
For the Crumble Topping
- In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, flour, salt, pie spice, and oats. Mix and squeeze the mixture with your fingers until it clumps in pea-sized pieces. It should be a little drier than cookie dough. If it is too moist, add a little flour until it is pea and smaller size pieces. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, ¼ cup quick oats
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the apples to cover the apples, in a thin layer, but leave some of the fruit peeking through.
To Bake:
- Place the Apple Crisp on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F 45-60 minutes until the apples are bubbling and the crumble is golden brown.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle with caramel, if desired.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale
- 8×8-inch Baking Pan
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Apple Crisp Step by Step
Cut the Apples: Wash and dry 6 Granny Smith apples. The apples can be peeled or unpeeled; it’s a personal preference. Slice the apples into ¼-inch slices and place in a large bowl. You should have about 8 cups total.

Toss with Lemon: Squeeze 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the apple slices and toss so the apples slices are covered with lemon juice. This will prevent the apple slices from browning.

Add the Spices: Add 2 tablespoons of orange zest, ¼ cup of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1¼ teaspoons of apple pie spice. Mix well.

Pour the Apples: Pour the apples into a buttered baking dish and set aside.

Mix the Topping: In a large bowl, combine ½ cup of unsalted butter, ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice, and ¼ cup of quick oats. Mix and squeeze the mixture with your fingers until it clumps in pea-sized pieces. It should be a little drier than cookie dough. If it is too moist, add a little flour until it is pea and smaller size pieces.

Top the Crisp: Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the apples to cover the apples, in a thin layer, but leave some of the fruit peeking through.

Bake the Crisp: Place the Apple Crisp on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F 45-60 minutes until the apples are bubbling and the crumble is golden brown. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle with caramel, if desired.

More Apple Recipes to Try!

Homemade Apple Pie Recipe

Fried Apples

Apple Cobbler

Apple Dumplings

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale
- 8x8-inch Baking Pan
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 8 cups sliced Granny Smith apples 904 grams (from about 6 apples)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice 14 grams (from 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons orange zest (from 1 orange)
- ¼ cup brown sugar 52 grams
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1¼ teaspoons apple pie spice 4 grams
For the Crumble Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 120 grams
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- ¼ cup quick oats 23 grams
Instructions
For the Apple Filling
- Wash and dry the apples. The apples can be peeled or unpeeled; it’s a personal preference. Slice the apples into ¼-inch slices and place in a large bowl. 8 cups sliced Granny Smith apples
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the apple slices and toss so the apples slices are covered with lemon juice. This will prevent the apple slices from browning. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Add the orange zest, brown sugar, kosher salt and pie spice. Mix well. 2 tablespoons orange zest, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 1¼ teaspoons apple pie spice
- Pour the apples into a buttered baking dish and set aside.
For the Crumble Topping
- In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, flour, salt, pie spice, and oats. Mix and squeeze the mixture with your fingers until it clumps in pea-sized pieces. It should be a little drier than cookie dough. If it is too moist, add a little flour until it is pea and smaller size pieces. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, ¼ cup quick oats
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the apples to cover the apples, in a thin layer, but leave some of the fruit peeking through.
To Bake:
- Place the Apple Crisp on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F 45-60 minutes until the apples are bubbling and the crumble is golden brown.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle with caramel, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition

By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!

Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On

Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)

Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen

Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen

Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use

26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them

What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?

Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)

Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
