Rustic Easy Homemade Apple Crisp: A Family Favorite (Print Version)

Whip up a comforting, easy homemade apple crisp. This rustic dessert brings warm spices and tender apples, a simple recipe for cozy moments.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Crisp Apple Filling

01 - Granny Smith Apples (6-8 medium)
02 - Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup)
03 - All-Purpose Flour (2 tablespoons)
04 - Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
05 - Ground Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon)
06 - Pinch of Salt (1/4 teaspoon)

→ Buttery Oat Topping

07 - Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (1 cup)
08 - All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup)
09 - Brown Sugar, packed (1/2 cup)
10 - Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup / 1 stick, cold, cubed)
11 - Pinch of Salt (1/4 teaspoon)

→ Optional Flavor Boosters

12 - Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon)
13 - Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those apples ready! I usually peel, core, and slice them into about 1/4-inch pieces. Don't worry too much about perfection; a little rustic charm is part of the appeal of this easy homemade apple crisp. Pop them into a large bowl. Now, sprinkle in the granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. If you're feeling fancy, a splash of lemon juice and vanilla extract too. Give it a good toss until all the apple slices are nicely coated. I always make sure everything is evenly distributed; nobody wants a bland bite, right?
02 - Next up, the star of the show: that glorious crumbly topping! In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the old-fashioned oats, flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Now for the fun part: add the cold, cubed butter. I like to use my fingertips to really work that butter into the dry ingredients. You're looking for a coarse, crumbly mixture, like wet sand, with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. This is where the magic happens for a truly crisp topping, so don't overmix it; we want texture, not a paste!
03 - Alright, time to bring it all together! Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish – or a deep 8x8 if you want a thicker crisp. Pour your seasoned apple mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish. It'll probably look like a mountain of apples, but they'll cook down, I promise. Then, generously sprinkle that buttery oat topping all over the apples. Try to get an even layer, but a few gaps are totally fine; it adds to the homemade charm. I always get a little topping on the counter here, it's just part of the process, honestly!
04 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once it’s hot, carefully place your baking dish on a baking sheet (just in case of any bubbling over, which, trust me, has saved me from a messy oven clean-up more than once). Bake for about 40-50 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the topping is a beautiful golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbling up around the edges. The smell that fills your kitchen at this point? Pure heaven. I usually start peeking around the 35-minute mark, just because I'm impatient!
05 - This is the hardest part for me: waiting! Once your easy homemade apple crisp comes out of the oven, it's going to be piping hot and very bubbly. Let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes on a wire rack before serving. This cooling time allows the filling to set up a bit, so it's not a runny mess, and the topping gets even crisper. I’ve burned my tongue many times trying to dig in too soon, so learn from my mistakes, hon! The aroma during this cooling stage is just incredible.
06 - Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Scoop out generous portions of your warm, easy homemade apple crisp. This is where you get to decide if you're a purist or a maximalist. I'm definitely a maximalist; a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting over the warm apples and crisp topping is non-negotiable for me. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce wouldn't hurt either. Just savor that perfect blend of tart, sweet, and crunchy. It’s truly a little slice of comfort!

# Notes:

01 - My secret for a truly crispy topping? Don't skimp on the butter, honestly. And make sure your oats are old-fashioned, not instant!
02 - This Easy Homemade Apple Crisp keeps beautifully in the fridge for days. Just reheat gently in the oven to bring back that crispness.
03 - Ran out of brown sugar once, used maple syrup in the filling instead. It gave a lovely, deeper caramel note, totally recommend trying!
04 - Serving with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream isn't optional for me; it's a non-negotiable part of the experience.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9x13 inch baking dish
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - measuring cups and spoons
04 - vegetable peeler
05 - knife
06 - cutting board
07 - wire rack

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-400 kcal
Total Fat: 15-20 g
Total Carbohydrate: 50-60 g
Protein: 3-5 g

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