Homemade apple crisp with oats that melt in your mouth is a cozy dessert made with tender apples, cinnamon, and a buttery oat topping. This apple crisp recipe with oats has the comforting taste of an old-fashioned apple crisp, but in a quick-to-make and straightforward version. You'll get a healthy apple crisp that's both nutritious and easy, perfect for healthy apple desserts your family will love. Pin this easy apple crisp recipe with oats so you can keep the best apple crisp recipe ready for any time of year.

Why is this the best easy apple crisp recipe

There's so much to love about this simple apple crisp with oats recipe. It's the ultimate fall warmer with its sweet, apple-oat filling and excellent, buttery, smooth topping - but it's the perfect comfort food for any season. Everyone loves a fruit crisp, but having a variety of apples in this crisp will delight both kids and adults alike.

This easy apple crisp with oats is a delicious treat! The combination of various apple varieties, melted butter, and a rich oat mixture makes this a treat that will delight any dessert lover. The contrast between soft apples and the crunchy texture of the rolled oat mixture is sublime. You won't want to stop at one serving!

The ingredients for this easy apple crisp with oats recipe are readily available and easy to find. You probably have most of the simple ingredients to make this easy apple crisp with oats recipe already in your pantry.

The ingredients for apple crisps with oats are inexpensive. All-purpose flour, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, white sugar, applesauce, butter, old-fashioned oats, whole wheat flour - You probably won't need to buy anything, and if you do, it will just cost a couple of dollars.

Old-Fashioned apple crisp with oats might just be your new favorite fall dessert! With the consistency of a juicy apple mixed with a fragrant oat/sugar mixture, this simple golden brown crisp is always a big hit!

What you'll need to make old-fashioned apple crisp

Equipment

Apple peeler/corer/slicer - This old Pampered Chef gadget makes super easy work of apples, but if you don't have one, you can use a paring knife to peel the apples, then cut them into quarters, and slice the core from each piece. Try to keep the slices uniform so that they all cook at the same time.

Ingredients

See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

All-purpose flour - This gives the crust its structure so the final product doesn't crumble apart.
Whole wheat flour - This adds nutty, earthy flavor, and a hearty, rustic feel without being overpowering.
Old-fashioned rolled - These bring texture, crunch, and flavor to the crisp crust.
Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice - I love pumpkin pie spice because it has a richer flavor, but you can also use plain cinnamon.
Brown sugar - Use your thumb or a spoon to press the brown sugar tightly into the measuring cup.
Butter - It doesn't matter whether you use salted or unsalted butter.
Applesauce - This adds moisture without making the crust runny.
White sugar - This helps make the crust crispy and sweet. I haven't tried an alternative sweetener, so I can't say how that would work.
Large apples, a combination of varieties - I enjoy Granny Smith for the tartness, but you can use a variety of Braeburn, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious or another baking apple. Make sure the apples you choose are labeled for baking and not for eating raw as eating apples tend to turn to mush when baked. These will need to be peeled, cored, and sliced.
Vanilla ice cream - Optional, for serving

easy apple crisp baked and served in a bowl with vanilla ice cream

How to make a simple apple crisp

Preheat oven to 350º.
In a large bowl, stir the dry ingredients together: flour, oats, spice, and sugar. Blend well.
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In a small bowl, combine the butter and applesauce.
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Add dry ingredients and mix until blended.
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Press half of the flour mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Leave the other half of the flour mixture in the bowl.
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Peel, core, and slice the apples. Arrange about half of the apples on top of the flour mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Top with the remaining half of the apples and additional sugar and spice, creating layers. Finish with the remaining apples, sugar, and spice.
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Top the apple layer with the remaining flour mixture, distributing it evenly across the apples. This creates a crisp topping.
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Bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the apples are soft.Pin
Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and if you'd like a richer flavor, add caramel sauce.
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Substitutions & variations

You can change the fruit in this crisp. Delicious options include pears, peaches, berries, or a combination.

You can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free rolled oats and a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking mix.

You can try quick oats for a softer topping.

Almond flour can make a slightly sweet crumble, also making it a gluten-free option for apple crisp.

You can add your favorite chopped nuts. I personally love chopped pecans, but you could also use sliced almonds or chopped walnuts.

Add a touch of sweetness with a drizzle of maple syrup after baking.

Storing leftovers

If your kitchen is cool, you can keep the apple crisp on the counter, covered, for up to 2 days.

To keep apple crisp longer than 2 days, cover the dish tightly with foil, plastic wrap, or a lid and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze apple crisp. Cool completely to room temperature, wrap well in plastic wrap, and then in aluminum foil (or store in an airtight container), and freeze for 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.