Apple Crisp

🍏✨ Granny Smith Apple Crisp — The Cozy Classic That Never Lets You Down

Tart, tender apples tucked under a buttery, cinnamon‑kissed oat topping… this is the dessert that makes the whole house smell like a hug.

This Granny Smith Apple Crisp is the kind of dessert that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together — even if you’re still in your slippers at 3 p.m. It’s warm, sweet, and just the right amount of tart, with a crisp topping that’s buttery, crumbly, and perfectly spiced. The apples bubble away underneath, creating that magical syrupy filling that begs for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

It’s:

Ridiculously easy — no pie crust drama here.
Perfect for gatherings — or for “just because” nights at home.
A make‑ahead dream — reheats beautifully (if there’s any left).

💬 Reader prompt: Are you a “serve it warm with ice cream” person or a “cold from the fridge the next morning” kind of apple crisp fan?

One of my sisters hates apple desserts, but I love them so much! My mom asked for this for her birthday dessert and I was not mad about it! Nothing says fall like apple crisp, and this recipe will warm your soul.

Ingredients

Apple Mixture

8 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Crisp Mixture

2 cups quick oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cup salted butter, cold, cubed

Directions

Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 9×13‑inch baking dish.
Make the Apple Mixture
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, salt, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until evenly coated. Set aside.
Make the Crisp Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and cinnamon.
- Add cubed butter and use your hands or a fork to work it into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs (pea‑sized butter bits are perfect).
Assemble
- Press 3 cups of the crisp mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spread apple mixture evenly over the base and press down gently.
- Sprinkle remaining crisp mixture over the apples.
Bake
- Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes, until the apples are bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
Serve
- Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving — Serves 12)

Calories: ~420
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 65g
Fat: 18g
Sugar: 38g

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value*
Calories	420	21%
Total Fat	18g	23%
Saturated Fat	11g	55%
Cholesterol	45mg	15%
Sodium	320mg	14%
Total Carbs	65g	24%
Dietary Fiber	4g	14%
Sugars	38g	—
Protein	4g	8%

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Crisp Success

Choose the right apples — Granny Smiths are tart and hold their shape, but you can mix in Honeycrisp for extra sweetness.
Cold butter is key — it creates that irresistible crumbly texture.
Don’t skip the lemon juice — it keeps the apples bright and balances the sweetness.
Press the base firmly — so it holds together when serving.
Let it rest — 10 minutes after baking helps the filling set.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you like your apple crisp topping extra thick or just a light sprinkle?

🎨 Recipe Variations

Nutty Crunch — add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
Berry Boost — toss in a handful of raspberries or cranberries with the apples.
Caramel Drizzle — add caramel sauce over the apples before baking.
Gluten‑Free — use GF oats and flour.
Spice It Up — add nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for a twist.

🧒 Kid Tips

Let kids help mix the topping — it’s messy but fun.
Keep spices mild for sensitive palates.
Serve with a scoop of ice cream and let them add sprinkles.
Make mini crisps in ramekins for individual servings.

💬 Reader prompt: Parents — do your kids eat the apples first or the topping?

🛒 Grocery Hacks

Apples — buy in bulk during fall for the best price.
Oats — store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
Butter — freeze extra sticks for baking emergencies.
Brown sugar — keep soft by storing with a slice of bread.
Cinnamon — buy larger containers if you bake often; it’s cheaper per ounce.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #AppleCrispSquad

Here’s your mission:

Make this Granny Smith Apple Crisp.
Put your own spin on it — maybe a new fruit combo, a nut topping, or a flavored whipped cream.
Snap a photo and post with #AppleCrispSquad.
I’ll feature my favorites in an upcoming Friday Favorites post!

♻️ Leftover Remix

Breakfast Crisp — top with yogurt instead of ice cream.
Parfait Layers — layer crisp with whipped cream in glasses.
Pancake Topping — warm and spoon over pancakes or waffles.
Milkshake Mix‑In — blend crisp into a vanilla milkshake.
Lunchbox Treat — pack small portions in reusable containers.

💭 Final Thoughts

This apple crisp is proof that simple ingredients can make something truly special. It’s cozy, comforting, and endlessly adaptable — the kind of dessert that makes people linger at the table for “just one more bite.”

💬 Reader prompt: If you could make apple crisp in any flavor combo, what would it be?

Some desserts are just desserts. This Granny Smith Apple Crisp? It’s a hug in a baking dish. It’s the smell of cinnamon and apples filling the kitchen, the sight of golden oats on top, and the joy of that first spoonful when the warm filling meets the cool ice cream.

I love that it’s flexible — you can keep it classic, add your favorite mix‑ins, or change the spices to suit your mood. It’s forgiving, too; even if your apple slices aren’t perfect or your topping is a little chunky, it will still taste like something you’d proudly serve to friends and family. And it’s the kind of recipe that makes people ask for seconds before they’ve even finished their first helping.

So here’s my challenge: make it, share it, and tag your creations with #AppleCrispSquad so we can all drool together, swap ideas, and maybe even inspire the next great crisp creation. I want to see your coziest bowls, your boldest flavor swaps, your “we ate it all before I could take a picture” confessions.

Here’s to warm kitchens, sweet spices, and recipes that bring people together. Here’s to you — because you’re about to bake something that will have everyone asking, “When are you making this again?” 🍏💛

Did you try our Apple Crisp recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!