This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase a product I recommend.
Apple crisp is one of my favorite fall desserts. Served warm with vanilla ice cream (or even my homemade cinnamon ice cream), it’s the ultimate sweet, tart, and creamy dessert. I’m really not much of a baker, so I especially love simple desserts that are easy to put together without a lot of complex or precise steps.
My apple crisp recipe is just that. A layer of apples tossed in sugar and spices topped with a crumbled mix of oats, sugar, butter, and more spices. The deliciousness of apple pie but even easier to throw together.
The Apple Filling
Granny Smith apples are the best apples for apple crisp because they hold up well in baking and have a nice tart flavor. The dish itself is sweet but should also have a pronounced complementary tartness.
Golden Delicious, Braeburn, or Cortland are also great apples for baking because they don’t break down too much. You can also use a combo.
The apple filling is comprised of peeled and thinly sliced apples tossed in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and a splash of lemon juice.
I like to slice my apples into thin half wedges. Some opt for longer quarter slices but I think smaller is better. Either way, thin slices work best as they really tenderize and soften. Not all crisp recipes call for peeled apples however I prefer to peel mine.
Apple Crisp Topping (Streusel)
The apple crisp topping is a simple streusel made with rolled oats (old fashioned oatmeal), brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and diced butter. It’s simply mixed together in a bowl and poured on top of the apple filling. You can also use quick oats if you don’t have traditional old fashioned oats. I would not substitute oats for instant oatmeal, however. It’s too fine.
More Skillet Desserts
Skillet Apple Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic apple crisp is one of my favorite fall desserts. Served warm with vanilla ice cream. It’s the ultimate sweet, tart, and creamy dessert made in a cast iron skillet.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 medium-large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, diced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine apple filling in a bowl and toss until apples are fully coated. Set aside.
- Combine streusel topping in a separate bowl and toss until mixed. Use your hands to work the butter into the mixture until fully mixed and slightly crumbly. The smaller you dice the butter the easier this step will be.
- Pour apple filling into a greased 12 inch cast iron skillet and distribute evenly. Top with streusel, forming an even layer. Bake for 35 minutes uncovered. The apples should be very tender when pierced with a toothpick.
- Let cool slightly and serve topped with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.
Notes
You can substitute apples with Golden Delicious, Braeburn, or Cortland, or a combo!
You can also use quick oats in place of old fashioned oats. Just do not use instant oats as they’re too fine.
This recipe can also be made in an 9×13 dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6, no ice cream
- Calories: 414
- Sugar: 41.8g
- Sodium: 58mg
- Fat: 11.9g
- Saturated Fat: 6.5g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 8.5g
- Protein: 5.2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: easy apple crisp recipe, apple crisp with oatmeal, how to make apple crisp
Leave a Comment