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Classic Apple Crisp Recipe with Buttery Oat Topping

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This classic apple crisp features tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery oat streusel topping that’s crisp on the edges and chewy in the middle. An easy, comforting dessert that tastes like fall in a bowl.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 5–6 medium apples; Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh-squeezed)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (dark brown works too)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional; walnuts work too)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a rack in the center of the oven. Place a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips.
  2. Peel, core, and slice apples into roughly 1/4-inch thick slices. Toss into a large bowl.
  3. To the bowl of apples, add granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Toss until every apple slice is coated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold butter cubes. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse meal with some pea-sized butter chunks remaining. Stir in chopped pecans if using.
  5. Pour the apple mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples—do not press down.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. If the topping browns too quickly after 30 minutes, tent loosely with foil.
  7. Let the crisp rest on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
  8. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of heavy cream.

Notes

For best results, use a mix of apple varieties (e.g., 3 Granny Smith and 2 Honeycrisp). Keep butter cold for a crispier topping. Let the crisp rest for 15 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. For a vegan adaptation, use high-quality vegan butter. The crisp can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, apple dessert, fall dessert, oat topping, easy apple crisp, homemade apple crisp, buttery oat topping

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/classic-apple-crisp-recipe-with-buttery-oat-topping/