I think fall is my favorite dessert season and this Apple Crisp with Oats is one of the reasons for it. Loads of sweet tart apples sprinkled with the flavors of fall and topped with a crunchy oat crumble makes for the most delicious dessert. This is as popular in our house as my Apple Crostata, which gets rave reviews by my family.
When the leaves start to turn and the weather cools off, it is time break out the those spices that make us feel warm and cozy like the cinnamon in Apple Streusel Cake, Carrot Cake and of course Apple Crisp. I have to admit that I just can’t resist Apple Crisp, especially if you serve it with a side of ice cream!
How to make this dessert
Ingredients
This recipe uses a simple combination of apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, brown sugar, butter and whole grain oats.
What kind of apples should you use?
This recipe works just as well with tart apples as it does with a sweet apples. The best apples to use are of course whatever varieties you like, but some will get soft or mushy when cooked, so you may want to consider that when making your selection. A few varieties that will hold their shape when baked are:
- Tart – Granny Smith
- Sweet tart: Jonagold or Jonathan and Cortland
- Mildly sweet: Honey Crisp
- Sweet: Braeburn, Golden Delicious, and Gala
I like tart apples but my husband prefers sweeter apples, so very often I will mix a couple of varieties. This is a great way to get a nice combination of flavors and please everyone at the same time. But, you really can’t go wrong with any selection that you make.
Baking tips:
- Try to cut the apples into similar size slices. This way the apples cook evenly and you won’t end up with some bigger under cooked chunks.
- I would also suggest that you peel the apples. Some varieties have a tougher, thicker skin and it may not cook down enough by the time the apples are done.
How to prepare the apples
I like to toss the apples in a little lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. This ensures that you will get those delicious comfy flavors in every bite.
How to make the crumble topping
The perfect topping is sweet, cinnommany and crunchy. It should complement the texture and flavor of the apples.
Start with butter that is softened to room temperature. This will make it easy to cut into the other ingredients.
Combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar in a bowl.
Then add the butter and using a pastry cutter or a fork, press the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms pea shaped crumbles.
Assemble and Bake
Pour the apples into your prepared backing dish, cover completely and evenly with the crumble.
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes.
Your apple crisp is done when the apples are tender when pierced with a toothpick.
Serving, storing and reheating left overs
There is nothing as good as apple crisp that is served warm out of the oven. Our favorite way to serve it is alongside a big scoop of ice cream. But it is also delicious with whipped cream or drizzled with caramel sauce. Or all of the above!
If you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days. Apple crisp can be reheated for a minute or two in the microwave. If you to want to get that crispy texture in the topping, pop it in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. I have also made this ahead and then reheated it just before serving.
FAQ
Apple crisp and apple crumble are basically the same thing and the terms are often used interchangeably. Usually a crumble is made with a streusel topping of flour, sugar and butter but no oats. While a crisp topping has the same ingredients but includes oats which give it the crispy texture.
Yes you certainly can use quick oats in apple crisp. You made find that the topping is not as crispy as it would be with old fashioned oats because the quick oats break down faster, but the flavor will not suffer.
Mushy apples means that you either overcooked the apples or the apples you selected get soft when cooked. The topping may get mushy if it has been left out for a little while. You can easily fix this by reheating it in the oven for a few minutes.
If you try this recipe please let us know how you liked it by rating and commenting!
Other desserts you might like:
The Best Homemade Peanut Butter Pie Brownies
The Best Apple Crisp with Oats
Ingredients
Apples
- 4 Apples Large, baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn or Jonagold. Peeled, cored and sliced.
- 1 Tsp. Lemon juice optional
- 2 Tbsp. Sugar Granulated
- ½ Tsp. Cinnamon
- ¼ Tsp. Nutmeg
Topping
- ½ Cup Flour All purpose
- ½ Cup Oats Whole grain rolled oats
- ⅔ Cup Brown sugar Packed
- 1 Tsp. Cinnamon
- ½ Tsp. Nutmeg
- 6 Tbsp. Butter Softened
Instructions
Apples
- Preheat the oven to 375°. Butter or spray a 9"x 9"x2" baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with the lemon juice. This step is optional as it is just to help the apples maintain their color.
- Sprinkle the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples and toss or mix to evenly coat the them. Set side.
Topping
- Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter in a medium sized bowl.
- Cut the butter into the other ingredients with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture forms pea size crumbles.
Baking
- Pour the apples into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the topping over the apples so that they are completely and evenly covered.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the apples are tender.
- Remove from oven and cool slightly before serving with your favorite ice cream or whipped cream.
- Can be made ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
