Are you looking for the BEST Apple Crisp Recipe? One that is full of flavor and perfected over time to be a NO-FAIL recipe? This is it. My secret? DOUBLE the crisp! I am making this and my Sugar Cookie Recipe as well as a Piggy Pie Dessert for the holidays! (And if you are short on time, try my Apple Dump Cake!)
Apple Crisp Recipe
If you are anything like me, you always think your recipe is the best. I was convinced that the apple crisp I have been making for the last couple of years couldn’t be beaten but was I ever wrong! I tried this recipe last fall and have made it at least 15 times since. It is perfect every single time!
I opted for Challenge Butter to make sure that my apple crisp would be the best-tasting crisp you will ever try!
Brown Sugar Apple Crisp
Most recipes call for all granulated sugar or 1/2 granulated and 1/2 brown. While these recipes are sweet, they lack the depth of flavor that all brown sugar adds. And after you try this apple crisp, you will definitely understand what I mean. I used light brown sugar, but you can definitely use dark brown sugar as well.
How to Make Homemade Brown Sugar
For light brown sugar add 1-2 tablespoons of molasses to 1 cup of granulated sugar. For dark brown sugar add 3-4 tablespoons to 1 cup of granulated sugar. I like to mix up a big batch in my food processor but you can also mix by hand if you prefer.
How to Bake the Oat Mixture
One thing that makes this recipe unique is that the oat mixture is used on the top AND the bottom. The amazing thing about this layer is that it changes depending on how long you bake the crisp.
If you bake at 375°F for 35 minutes, the bottom oat mixture will be slightly caramelized and gooey while the top will be perfect crispy deliciousness.
If you bake at 375°F for 45 minutes, the bottom oat mixture will be crispy throughout. The top will be darker, but if you prefer a less dark crispy top you can add a foil tent to the crisp after 35 minutes.
Can I Use a Different Size Pan?
You can. If you want to make this in an 8×8 or 9×9 pan, cut the recipe in half.
Best Apples to Use in an Apple Crisp
It is important to use tart apples in order to get that tang that contrasts well with the buttery topping in an apple crisp.
- Honeycrisp- they are crisp and juicy with a honey-sweet and tart flavor
- Granny Smith- they are crisp and sour
- Golden Delicious – sweet
Any of those apples will work, but you could also do a combination of the two. When I tested this, I did enjoy it but found that the leftovers did not reheat as nicely as the version will all tart apples.
Want to Make This into an Apple Crumble?
Just add nuts! 🙂 Years ago there was a more notable distinction between Crisps and Crumbles. Usually, crumbles did not include oats; it was a wonderful mixture of flour, sugar, butter, and sometimes even nuts like walnuts or pecans. Today, the lines are very blurry between crisps and crumbles, and the names are actually used interchangeably. However, you could simply add nuts to this recipe and call it the Best Apple Crumble and no one would be the wiser.
How to Serve Apple Crisp
Do you eat Apple Crisp hot or cold? I will enjoy both, but definitely prefer warm! Apple crisp is great served with:
How to Store Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is best when it is served warm and then allowed to completely cool to room temperature. After it is cool and you want to store leftovers, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want the crisp tp remain crispy when reheating, place individual-sized portions into the air fryer or oven for about 10 minutes.
More Apple Treats
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Apple Mixture
- 10 cups Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and sliced (about 10 medium apples)
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Crisp Mixture
- 2 cups (180g) quick-cooking oats
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (2 sticks, 226g) Challenge Butter cubed while cold
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a 9×13 pan with baking spray or coating with butter.
Apple Mixture
- Place sliced apples in a bowl. Add brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Stir gently and make sure every piece of apple is covered in the sugar mixture. Set aside.
Crisp Mixture
- Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon together. Add in the cubed butter and use your hands to combine. You want the butter to be pea-sized and coated entirely. You should have 6 cups.
- Spread 3 cups over the bottom of your prepared pan and press flat. Pour the apple mixture over top and press down with rubber spatula. Pour remaining crisp mixture over top of the apples and bake uncovered at 375°F for 35-45 minutes.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Thank you for supporting the brands that support us here at iambaker! It has been a dream of mine to partner with Challenge Butter and I am just thrilled to be able to share a product that I love and use!
This looks like it would be great. I can’t wait to try it. I will not be able to fix it for Thanks giving,but when I do I think I will cut back on the brown sugar a little. Even using Granny Smith able,which we eat a lot, that seams to be a lot of sugar. I will have to try it before I fix it for guests.
What is Challenge Butter?
A brand of butter.
What can I do to make this an 8 X 8 size ??
Cut the recipe in half. 🙂
I’m always looking up Apple Crisp recipe, especially in the fall season of the year. I happy to add yours to my collection. I will not wait until fall to make it though ☺️!!
You are Amazing! I love following your blog and I especially love your recipes
Hello
Making this for Sunday dessert. Can I have your recipe for the carmel sauce please.
Ty
https://iambaker.net/caramel-sauce/ 🙂
I am so in love with every recipe you share with us, you are amazing and I always look forward to making yummy recipes for my family, THANK YOU and God bless ❤️
Bless you too, Sandra! <3
Everything looks delicious. Please add me to you email list. Thank you, Carol from Florida
If I don’t have quick cooking oats, can I use regular old fashioned rolled oats? If so, how would I alter recipe?
This recipe looks delicious. Do you have any suggestions for a substitute for oats? I have a sad family member allergic to them.
I might avoid a crisp if oats are an issue. This is a good option: https://iambaker.net/caramel-apple-dump-cake/