There’s something nostalgic and comforting about a freshly baked apple crisp. This classic old-fashioned recipe captures the essence of simple homemade goodness — tender, cinnamon-spiced apples bubbling beneath a golden, buttery oat topping. It’s the kind of dessert that makes the whole house smell like fall and leaves you craving “just one more spoonful.”
Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a family dinner, or a cozy night in, this traditional apple crisp is always a winning choice.
Recipe Card: Classic Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Equipment: 9×13″ baking dish, mixing bowls, peeler, knife
✨ Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples (or mix with Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cornstarch (for a slightly thicker sauce)
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- (Optional) ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prep the Oven and Apples
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick wedges.
- In a large bowl, toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch until well coated.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly in the greased 9×13″ baking dish.
2. Make the Crisp Topping
- In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until crumbly — like coarse crumbs.
- (Optional) Stir in chopped nuts for added crunch.
3. Assemble and Bake
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let it cool for at least 10–15 minutes before serving (it thickens as it sits).
Serving Suggestions
- Best served warm, straight from the oven.
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.
- For breakfast leftovers (yes, it happens!): try it cold with a spoon of Greek yogurt.
Extra Tips & Variations
- Apple choice matters: Tart apples like Granny Smith balance the sweet topping, but mixing with a sweeter apple (like Gala or Fuji) adds depth.
- Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the crisp topping a day in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
- Freezer-friendly: Assemble, cover tightly, and freeze unbaked. Bake directly from frozen, adding about 10 extra minutes to the cook time.
Final Thoughts
This Classic Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp isn’t just dessert — it’s a memory in the making. Simple ingredients, timeless flavor, and a whole lot of comfort in every bite. Whether you’re treating yourself or feeding a crowd, this recipe is a guaranteed favorite that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Let me know if you’d like printable or video versions, or a variation next — like a vegan or gluten-free twist!
