Apple Crisp Recipe

Name: Apple Crisp Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs granny smith apples (peeled, cored and cut into chunks); ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter (warmed*); ¼ cup brown sugar (packed); 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour (we used gluten free all-purpose flour); ¾ cup rolled oats (we used gluten free rolled oats); ¾ cup brown sugar (packed); ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into small cubes)

by Annie on Jul 22, 2024 (updated Jun 9, 2025) 72 comments

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This Apple Crisp recipe is a warm, gooey dessert that is the essence of the fall and holiday season! Even better, this sweet apple filling and cinnamon oat topping can be baked to perfection with only a couple simple steps!

close up image of a spoonful of apple crisp and ice cream in white bowl

The magic of this Apple Crisp begins well before you take your first bite. Shortly after you put it in the oven, your home will be filled with an amazing aroma! This can create some high expectations, but I promise the flavor won’t disappoint!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Minimal Prep Time. This recipe takes 10-15 minutes of prep time and the entire recipe only has 3 primary steps!
Common Ingredients. A few pantry staples are all you will need to make this recipe.
Fall Comfort Food. This warm, gooey apple crisp smells and tastes like fall! It always leaves me reminiscing about past memories from the fall and holiday season.

Overview of Recipe Ingredients

This apple crisp recipe has two components: the apple filling and the cinnamon crumble topping. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the ingredient amounts and complete instructions.

apple crisp ingredients on a wooden table

Apples: Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, or even Granny Smith would work well.
Creamy peanut butter: warming the peanut butter makes it easier to stir (more details in the recipe card)
Vanilla extract: helps create the desired flavor for the apple filling
Cornstarch: helps thicken the apple filling
Sweetener: brown sugar
Old-fashioned oats and Flour: we use gluten-free varieties, but your favorite options will do.
Baking powder: creates more of an oatmeal cookie texture for the crumble topping
Butter, salt, and cinnamon: used in the topping to create the perfect flavor and texture.

How to make an Apple Crisp

This Apple Crisp comes together with only a few simple steps! Here’s a step-by-step guide for making this sweet holiday recipe!

Make the Apple Filling

apple filling ingredients in a clear mixing bowl

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2 qt baking dish. Then toss the apples with the warmed peanut butter, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ¼ tsp salt until well combined. Pour the apple mixture into the greased baking dish. *By warming the peanut butter 10-15 seconds in the microwave it makes it much easier to stir into the apple mixture.

Prepare the Cinnamon Crumble Topping

crumble topping ingredients in a clear mixing bowl

crumble topping being added to white baking dish

Make the crumble topping. Stir the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Cut in the cubed butter until the mixture forms crumbs.

Bake

close up image of a wooden spoon and apple crisp

Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples. Then bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Allow to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes and serve with ice cream.

Serve

This recipe is at its best when served with ice cream. The contrast of temperature, flavor, and texture is an incredible combination. If preparing this for a larger gathering, here are some other sweet and savory recipe ideas.

Can I make an Apple Crisp ahead of time?

Yes! This is a fantastic dessert to have on hand in case of unexpected company! This crisp can be frozen uncooked or cooked. You can even prepare and freeze these in individual-sized portions if you wanted!

To freeze uncooked, assemble the crisp as instructed, but wrap the entire thing in at least two layers of aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze a cooked apple crisp, allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, wrap the entire crisp in at least two layers of aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This will also be fine in the freezer up to 6 months.
The easiest way to freeze individual portions is to assemble (and bake, if freezing after cooking) in an extra-large muffin tin or individual-sized ramekins.

How should I store and reheat this Apple Crisp?

This dish should be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge (up to 4 days) or in the freezer (up to 6 months). To reheat, you can either microwave leftovers in 30-second increments until warmed throughout or bake (covered with foil to prevent too much browning) at 325 until warmed. The oven option takes longer, but it prevents the topping from getting soggy.

If you froze the apple crisp (before or after cooking), there’s no need to thaw! If uncooked, simply cook according to directions + 10 minutes. You may need to cover the top with foil for the last 10 minutes or so to prevent the top from getting too brown. You may need to add more or less time depending on how thinly you sliced the apples and whether you froze individual portions or the entire crisp.

If reheating a cooked crisp, simply follow the reheating instructions + add extra time. The amount of extra time needed depends on how thinly you sliced the apples and how large the portion is.