Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

This Old Fashioned Apple Crisp recipe is made with fresh apples sauteed in a rich, nutty brown butter, topped with a buttery brown sugar, oat and pecan topping, then baked until crisp and bubbly. It's incredibly easy to make and the ultimate "impress your guests" dessert!

This recipe was originally published in November 2018. It has been updated for content and photos. 

Do you still need convincing? This homemade apple crisp might just be my all time favorite dessert. It might just be the best apple crisp recipe ever.

No kidding. It's all I can think about. I have a feeling this easy apple crisp recipe is going to pop up a few more times this fall. You NEED this buttery, delicious apple crisp in your life.

**If you are in love with EASY apple desserts like me, try this simple and delicious Salted Caramel Apple Galette**

The Ingredients

Best Apples to Use

A crisp, tart apple works the best for apple desserts. I have a strong preference for Granny Smith, but a sweeter apple like Honeycrisp will also work wonderfully. Or use a mix. Really, this homemade apple crisp will be awesome no matter what apples you use.

Feel free to buy whole apples and slice and peel them. However, due to my extreme laziness, I totally buy the packages of pre-sliced and peeled apples.

The brandy is optional, so if you don't have any you can leave it out. It does add an extra bit of flavor to the apples as they bake.

Make sure you use rolled oats for this recipe, not instant oats, or quick cooking. They need to be plain old rolled oats.

You can buy the rest of the ingredients at the grocery store or just make it easy and grab them through the below Amazing links (affiliate links):

• Coconut sugar
• Salted butter
• Flour
• Rolled oats
• Brown sugar
• Chopped pecans

Why This Recipe Works

1. Browning the butter before adding the apples gives them a deep nutty flavor;
2. A generous amount of the oat and sugar topping ensures you aren't stuck with too many apples, not enough topping (because seriously, the topping is the best part right?);
3. It's perfect for making ahead and bringing to a dinner or potluck - just reheat and serve!

Step By Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.

Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, until butter starts to brown. Add the apples and cook for 2 minutes.

Add the brandy and coconut sugar and cook and additional 3-4 minutes, until slightly caramelized.

Place mixture in a 9x9" baking dish. An 8x8" baking dish can be used as well.

Top with the oat topping (see below) and bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, until the top of the apple crisp is browned and bubbly. Allow the crisp to cool for about 10-15 minutes for the best results.

Apple Crisp Topping

Combine the dry ingredients and mix together. Add the butter and mix together so the mixture is dampened by the butter. It should still be crumbly.

This is amazing served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. So good.

Expert Tips

1. While unpeeled apples can be used, I recommend peeling the apples for the best results;
2. Make sure you use rolled oats for this recipe, not instant oats, or quick cooking. They need to be plain old rolled oats.
3. Using salted butter helps the flavor of the apples and the sweetness of the topping to shine through;
4. The pecans can be substituted with almonds or walnuts;
5. Always reheat a crisp in the oven (350 degrees for 10-15 minutes) for best results - the microwave tends to make it mushy;
6. Allow the crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does apple crisp need to be refrigerated? Typically, you should let the apple crisp cool for 2-4 hours at room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap or store in a covered container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
2. How long will apple crisp keep? It should keep for up to 5 days in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.
3. Will apple crisp freeze? Apple crisp can be frozen either before or after baking. To freeze before, assemble the apple crisp in an airtight oven safe container (or wrap it in freezer safe plastic wrap) and store in the freezer for up to one month. To cook the apple crisp from frozen, bake in a 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes, until browned and bubbly. To freeze after baking, let the apple crisp cool for 2-4 hours at room temperature. Place in a freezer safe air tight container or wrap it in freezer safe plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to one month. To cook it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then bake according to the recipe instructions.
4. How to reheat apple crisp? Place the leftovers in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, until heated through. If heating from frozen, follow the instructions above.
5. Can apple crisp be made the night before? Make the apples and oat topping and store them separately in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to cook, spread the topping over the apples in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, until browned and bubbly.

Favorite Apple Recipes

• Homemade Apple Turnovers;
• Salted Caramel Apple Galette;
• Perfect Apple Pie from Once Upon a Chef;
• Spiced Apple Chutney;
• Pork Chops with Apples from Diethood;
• Onion & Apple Flatbread.

Classic Fall Desserts

• Instant Pot blueberry cobbler;
• Pecan Pie Bars;
• Pumpkin Pie Bars;
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls;
• Pumpkin Souffle.

Did you make this homemade apple crisp? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment to let me know what you think!