When you’re looking for a dessert that is pure comfort, look no further than this old-fashioned, Pioneer Woman-style apple crisp. This is The Best Apple Crisp Recipe for anyone who loves a hearty, rustic dessert that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a fantastic recipe to use up apples from the orchard, featuring a warm, gooey filling of tender, spiced apples under a thick blanket of a crunchy, buttery oat topping. Unlike a more complicated Pioneer Woman Cobbler Recipe, this is a simple, one-dish wonder. This Easy Crisp Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser and the epitome of cozy, homestyle baking.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp
This recipe is a standout among Apple Oatmeal Dessert Recipes. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a comforting experience that tastes like it came straight from a country kitchen.
- Hearty & Rustic: The thick oat topping gives this dish a wonderful, substantial crunch that you won’t find in a standard Apple Crumble Crisp.
- Deep, Rich Flavor: The combination of brown sugar, cinnamon, and tender apples creates a classic, irresistible flavor profile.
- Incredibly Simple: It’s a straightforward, no-fuss Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe that delivers impressive results with minimal effort.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses classic pantry staples for a truly authentic taste.
For the Apple Filling:
- Apples: 8 medium baking apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced.
- Brown Sugar: ½ cup, packed.
- Flour: 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (to thicken the filling).
- Spices: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Optional: ½ cup of raisins for a classic Apple Crisp With Raisins.
For the Oat Crumble Topping:
- Old-Fashioned Oats: 1 ½ cups.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup.
- Brown Sugar: 1 cup, packed.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon.
- Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Cold Butter: ½ cup (1 stick) of cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Get ready to fill your home with the incredible aroma of baked apples and cinnamon.
Part 1: Prepare the Filling
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Mix the Apples: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, ½ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the lemon juice. If you’re making an Apple Crisp With Raisins, add them now. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated.
- Arrange in Dish: Pour the apple mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.
Part 2: Make the Topping and Bake
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, stir together the old-fashioned oats, 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the pieces of cold butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs. This cold butter method is key to a truly crisp topping.
- Top the Apples: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples in the baking dish.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the apple filling is bubbly and tender, and the topping is a deep golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the apple crisp cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to set. It is fantastic served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make this Apple Crisp from frozen apples? Yes, you can make an Apple Crisp From Frozen Apples! There is no need to thaw them first. Simply toss the frozen apple slices with the filling ingredients and proceed with the recipe. You may need to add about 10-15 minutes to the total baking time to ensure the apples are cooked through and bubbly.
2. What are the best apples for this Easy Crisp Recipe? The best apples are firm ones that hold their shape during baking. A tart apple like Granny Smith provides a wonderful flavor contrast to the sweet topping. Other great options include Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious. Using a mix of sweet and tart apples is a great way to get a complex flavor.
3. What’s the difference between an Apple Crumble Crisp and a regular crisp? The terms are often used interchangeably, but traditionally, a crisp contains oats in the topping, giving it a heartier, more “crisp” texture. An apple crumble topping is typically a simpler mixture of flour, sugar, and butter, resulting in a more sandy or crumbly texture. This recipe is a true crisp because of its generous amount of oats.
4. How do I store and reheat leftovers of this Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe? Store any leftover apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds. For the best results and to re-crisp the topping, reheat it in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Pioneer Woman-Style Apple Crisp
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry cutter or fingertips
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 8 medium baking apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 cup raisins (optional)
- 1.5 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Add raisins if using.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over the apple mixture.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.
- Cool for 20 minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream.