Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
There’s something about the smell of warm cinnamon and baked apples that instantly takes me back to my childhood. My grandma made this Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp for nearly every holiday — Thanksgiving, Christmas, and sometimes just because. I can still remember walking into her kitchen and smelling that buttery, cinnamon crumble baking away in the oven.
Now, when I make it in my own kitchen, those same cozy aromas fill the air and bring back all those wonderful memories.
This classic dessert is simple, timeless, and comforting — the kind of recipe every home cook should have tucked in their recipe box. It’s made with basic pantry staples, comes together in just minutes, and tastes like pure nostalgia with every bite. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel, and you’ve got a dessert that’ll make everyone feel right at home.
And check out these other great recipes while you are here!
The Ultimate Green Bean Casserole
Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Garlic Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and uncomplicated: Made with everyday ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Minimal cleanup: You only need two bowls — one for the apples and one for the topping!
- Egg-free: Perfect for those with allergies or if you’re out of eggs.
- Quick reward: You don’t have to wait long for it to cool — it’s best enjoyed warm right from the oven.
- Crowd-pleaser: Simple, cozy, and comforting — it’s everything you want in a fall or holiday dessert.
Ingredients
- Granny Smith apples (6 large): Tart, firm, and perfect for baking — they hold their shape and balance the sweetness of the topping.
- Light brown sugar (½ cup in filling + ¾ cup in topping): Adds a rich caramel flavor and sweetness that pairs beautifully with the apples.
- All-purpose flour (¼ cup in filling + ¾ cup in topping): Thickens the apple juices and helps the topping form that perfect crumble.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tsp in both filling and topping): Warm spice that gives the apple crisp its signature flavor.
- Ground nutmeg (½ tsp): Adds depth and enhances the cinnamon flavor.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Balances the sweetness and makes every flavor pop.
- Cold unsalted butter (1 stick or 8 tbsp): The secret to a crispy, golden crumble topping — cold butter ensures texture.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats (1 cup): Give the topping a hearty crunch and that signature crisp texture.
- Optional – chopped pecans: Add a buttery, nutty crunch that complements the oats perfectly.
What Are the Best Apples to Use for Apple Crisp?
Granny Smith apples are my top pick for this recipe. Their tart flavor contrasts perfectly with the sweet brown sugar topping, and they hold their texture while baking.
If you want to mix things up, try combining a few different varieties — like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji — for extra flavor and texture. But if you want that classic, old-fashioned flavor just like Grandma made, stick with Granny Smith.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
Step 1 – Prep the Apples
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel, core, and cut six large Granny Smith apples into small, bite-sized chunks. (Leaving the skins on or slicing them thinly instead of dicing is totally optional!)
I like to use an apple slicer to make this step go just a little bit faster, but it is absolutely not necessary!
Step 2 – Make the Apple Filling
Place the apples in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Add ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Toss everything together until the apples are well coated and the spices are evenly distributed.
Step 3 – Make the Crisp Topping
In a separate bowl, whisk together ¾ cup flour, ¾ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add 1 stick of cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or fork to mix until the mixture looks crumbly. Then stir in 1 cup of old-fashioned oats (and pecans, if using).
Step 4 – Assemble and Bake
Spread the crumbly topping evenly over the apple mixture. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling around the edges.
Step 5 – Serve and Enjoy
Let the apple crisp cool for about 5 minutes, then dig in! Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel syrup if desired.
(The smell alone will make everyone come running to the kitchen!)
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!
Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 6 Large Granny Smith Apples, peeled and chopped into pieces
- 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp Salt
For the Topping
- 3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Stick (8 tbsp) Cold Unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 Cup Old Fashioned Whole Rolled Oats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In the baking dish, mix apples with brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly, then stir in the oats.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
- Bake 45 minutes, until topping is golden and the juices bubble around the edges.
- Cool briefly and serve warm with ice cream and caramel drizzle.
Notes
Notes
- Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the crispiest topping. Quick oats will work, but the texture will be softer.
- Flour: Spoon and level your flour — using too much can make the topping dry.
- Smaller batch: You can halve the recipe and bake it in a 9-inch square pan.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the crisp, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezing (unbaked): Wrap tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding about 10–15 minutes to the bake time.
- Freezing (baked): Cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
- Optional addition: Chopped pecans add an amazing crunch and flavor!
How much brown sugar goes in the topping? 3/4 cup?
Thank you
Oops! So Sorry about that! Yes it is 3/4 cup! I fixed the recipe card. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!