Homemade apple crisp with oats and graham crackers, warm, buttery, and irresistible, is the kind of dessert that fills the whole house with the scent of fall. This healthy apple crisp recipe, featuring oats and graham crackers, combines tender cinnamon apples with a golden crumble for an old-fashioned apple crisp that's simple yet full of flavor. You'll get a quick apple crisp that's also healthy, making it a nutritious and easy option for healthy apple desserts any night of the week. Pin this easy apple crisp recipe with oats and graham crackers so you'll always have the best apple crisp recipe ready for cozy evenings!
Why is this the best apple crisp with oats and graham cracker recipe
Healthy the apple crisp with oats and graham crackers is delicious! Warm, bubbling apples with a golden brown crust - it's the ultimate cozy dessert.
This is truly a simple apple crisp recipe. A few ingredients, straightforward steps, but it looks and tastes like you spent hours on it.
Warm apple crisp with cold vanilla ice cream = culinary magic. The contrast in temperature and texture is irresistible.
It's a crowd-pleaser, whether it is at a casual family dinner or a holiday gathering; people rarely say no to a healthy apple crisp.
Just like an old-fashioned apple crisp grandma used to make, this recipe has straightforward and honest ingredients. Made from scratch, the filling and the crust are all handmade. The slow, hands-on approach is what gives it heart and soul.
What you'll need to make this healthy apple crisp recipe
Equipment
- 9x9 baking pan - This is a 2-quart casserole dish. I recommend you use this approximate size (square, round, or rectangle) for best results. If you use a different size pan, adjust the bake time: thicker layers need more time, while thinner layers need less.
Ingredients
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.
- Large apples - An assortment of apple varieties will give you the best overall flavor, but my favorite is Granny Smith for the sweet tartness. Stick to apples that are labeled for baking though, as "eating apples" tend to get mushy and lose their texture when cooked.
- Graham crackers, finely chopped - This gives the topping a better texture, allowing the oats to mix more evenly with the other ingredients. Bakes up beautifully without big, hard chunks
- Brown Sugar - This must be packed, so it is correctly measured. You can press into the measuring cup with the back of a spoon or your fingers.
- All-purpose flour - You can substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking mix in this recipe.
- Old-fashioned oats - These give the topping that perfect crunch and chew that you can't get from quick oats or instant oats.
- Pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon - This makes the apple crisp taste warm. (That might be a weird thing to say, but it's the best way I can describe the flavor!)
- Butter - This needs to be melted in order to mix smoothly with sugar, flour, and oats.
- Vanilla ice cream - Optional, for serving
How to make a healthy apple crisp recipe with oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- First, peel, core, and slice the apples. We chose six different varieties of apples (granny smith apples, braeburn, gala, fuji, pink lady, and honeycrisp) because I like how the flavors blend when the apples are cooked. You could also use six of the identical apples, though I don't think it would be as lovely. As you peel, core, and sliced apples, arrange them in a large baking dish, ensuring they form an even layer.
- Stir the graham crackers, brown sugar, flour, oats, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl.
- Add the melted butter to the crumb mixture in the large bowl, and combine well. Spread the oat topping over the apples.
- Microwave the apple crisp for 12 minutes, then transfer it to the preheated oven for an additional 15 minutes
- Serve warm with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream.
Substitutions & variation
You can use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats. This will make the topping softer and less chewy.
You can add chopped nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or my favorite, pecans. Or, you can use the nuts as a substitute for oats.
You can make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free graham crackers and a cup for cup gluten-free baking mix.
For a softer, more cake-like topping, consider using vanilla wafers. Or Rice Krispies for extra crunch.
Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the apples before adding the topping.
Swap cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for apple pie spice (nutmeg, allspice, and cloves).
Add blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries with or in place of the apples for a tart, refreshing touch.
Storing leftovers
It's best to eat apple crisp the same day it's baked, but if you need to store leftovers, you can do it.
Leftover apple crisp can typically be stored at room temperature for a day or two. Cover the dish loosely with foil or plastic wrap.
If you need to keep the apple crisp longer than two days, transfer fully cooled leftovers to an airtight container or cover with tightly with aluminium foil or plastic wrap. This can stay in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the crisp topping.
Apple crisp also freezes pretty well. Cool completely to room temperature. Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe container. This recipe can be frozen up to 3 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat in the oven to restore crispness (microwave will make the crisp topping soft).
Check out more delicious apple recipes.
- Baked Apple Pecan Pancakes
- Easy Apple Crisp with Oats
- 18+ Easy Apple Recipes for Fall
- Apple Crisp Without Oats
- The Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
- German Apple Fritters Recipe from a Vintage 1910 Cookbook
- Pampered Chef Apple Crisp with Cake Mix
- Nana's Best Classic Apple Cake Recipe
Recipe
Apple Crisp with Oats and Graham Crackers
Ingredients
- 6 large apples
- 8 graham crackers finely chopped
- ¾ cups brown sugar packed
- ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
- ½ cups butter melted
- vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- First, peel, core, and slice the apples. We chose six different varieties of apples because I like how the flavors blend when the apples are cooked. You could also use six of the same apple, though I don't think it would be as nice. As you peel, core, and slice the apples, arrange them in a large baking dish, taking care that they are in an even layer.
- Mix the graham crackers, brown sugar, flour, oats, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl.
- Add melted butter to the crumb mixture, and combine well. Spread the topping overtop of the apples.
- Microwave the apple crisp for 12 minute, then transfer to the preheated oven for 15 minutes more.
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
I have the same apple peeler, I love it. I also save the peels, and sometimes put them in a pan with some water and spices just to put some aroma in the house.
Grace did an awesome job! My 15 DS helped me when he was that age, and now, he is an awesome cook. He cooks for his girlfriend all the time.
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
.-= Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Aldi's Money Saving Meal – Mostacolli =-.
Tiffany says
We have a peck of apples, so I am for sure coming back to this!!
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
I have the same apple peeler, I love it. I also save the peels, and sometimes put them in a pan with some water and spices just to put some aroma in the house.
Grace did an awesome job! My 15 DS helped me when he was that age, and now, he is an awesome cook. He cooks for his girlfriend all the time.
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
.-= Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Aldi's Money Saving Meal – Mostacolli =-.
Tiffany says
We have a peck of apples, so I am for sure coming back to this!!
Live.Love.Eat says
That is so adorable that you prepped the food on the floor so Grace could help. I want so bad for my 6yo son to take more of an interest in helping me in the kitch. One of these days.....
Your crisp looks wonderful, something I wouldn't mind having for breakfast like right now!
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Whole Chicken in a Crockpot & Asian Inspired Asparagus =-.
Live.Love.Eat says
That is so adorable that you prepped the food on the floor so Grace could help. I want so bad for my 6yo son to take more of an interest in helping me in the kitch. One of these days.....
Your crisp looks wonderful, something I wouldn't mind having for breakfast like right now!
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Whole Chicken in a Crockpot & Asian Inspired Asparagus =-.
Robyns Online World says
I remember when I was little that when my mom would make cookies we always put everything out on the floor in the kitchen so my brother and I could reach everything and do most of the work.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Rollup Laptop - I need this! =-.
Robyn's Online World says
I remember when I was little that when my mom would make cookies we always put everything out on the floor in the kitchen so my brother and I could reach everything and do most of the work.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Rollup Laptop - I need this! =-.
chrissy says
Thanks for the memories this brought back. I helped my mom make this many a time. In her later years we cheated and after cutting the apples and putting them in a 9x13 pan we would put a white or yellow cake mix(right out of the box)on the top. Slice pads of butter on the top. Cook until apples tender. Delicious!!! Thanks again. Gracie is adorable.
chrissy says
Thanks for the memories this brought back. I helped my mom make this many a time. In her later years we cheated and after cutting the apples and putting them in a 9x13 pan we would put a white or yellow cake mix(right out of the box)on the top. Slice pads of butter on the top. Cook until apples tender. Delicious!!! Thanks again. Gracie is adorable.
Tara says
Liz - That's a great idea! I might be able to sneak one apple peel out, but they got pretty quickly into the wormies. Joe and Grace both get so excited about those worms! 🙂
I am so impressed that your mothers put food on the floor for you! I thought it was kinda strange to do it on the floor, but with the knife and the slicer and everything, I was afraid to perch her up on the counter.
Tara says
Liz - That's a great idea! I might be able to sneak one apple peel out, but they got pretty quickly into the wormies. Joe and Grace both get so excited about those worms! 🙂
I am so impressed that your mothers put food on the floor for you! I thought it was kinda strange to do it on the floor, but with the knife and the slicer and everything, I was afraid to perch her up on the counter.
Sheila says
Look at that cute Grace learning to cook! She's a doll, and that recipe sounds very good! Loved seeing you two enjoying yourselves and cooking together.
Happy Foodie Friday!
XO,
Sheila 🙂
.-= Sheila´s last blog ..Play With Your Food (Act II ) or In the Pink... =-.
Sheila says
Look at that cute Grace learning to cook! She's a doll, and that recipe sounds very good! Loved seeing you two enjoying yourselves and cooking together.
Happy Foodie Friday!
XO,
Sheila 🙂
.-= Sheila´s last blog ..Play With Your Food (Act II ) or In the Pink... =-.
Erica says
That looks like so much fun 🙂 Your daughter is so cute! Happy Friday!
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Friday Feast: Crepes with Pecan Banana Topping! =-.
Mary says
What a sweet child! She is just beautiful. It must be nice to have a helper in the kitchen. I'll bet it only took you three times as long as normal to make the crisp :-).
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Braised Vietnamese Fish - Ca Kho To - Foodie Friday =-.
Mary says
What a sweet child! She is just beautiful. It must be nice to have a helper in the kitchen. I'll bet it only took you three times as long as normal to make the crisp :-).
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Braised Vietnamese Fish - Ca Kho To - Foodie Friday =-.
Erica says
That looks like so much fun 🙂 Your daughter is so cute! Happy Friday!
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Friday Feast: Crepes with Pecan Banana Topping! =-.
Jean says
Apple Crisp is one of my favorite fall foods. I love the apple peeler, core, slicer too. Gracie was so cute and I can just hear her squeal with enjoyment while helping you. I hope everyone enjoyed that delicious dessert. I used to live by Wegman's and loved it!
.-= Jean´s last blog ..Thursday Tablescapes and Foodie Friday-Chicken Enchiladas =-.
Jean says
Apple Crisp is one of my favorite fall foods. I love the apple peeler, core, slicer too. Gracie was so cute and I can just hear her squeal with enjoyment while helping you. I hope everyone enjoyed that delicious dessert. I used to live by Wegman's and loved it!
.-= Jean´s last blog ..Thursday Tablescapes and Foodie Friday-Chicken Enchiladas =-.
Tara says
Mary - I imagine that you're right. Three times as long is a good estimate. 🙂 I don't mind the time, though. She'll remember these fun times forever, and the extra time is only an inconvenience for a bit.
Tara says
Mary - I imagine that you're right. Three times as long is a good estimate. 🙂 I don't mind the time, though. She'll remember these fun times forever, and the extra time is only an inconvenience for a bit.
Shan @ the fairy blogmother says
I have a ton of apples to use here, so apple crisp will be on my list. Thanks for the recipe! Great WCW post.
.-= Shan @ the fairy blogmother´s last blog ..you capture - red =-.
Shan @ the fairy blogmother says
I have a ton of apples to use here, so apple crisp will be on my list. Thanks for the recipe! Great WCW post.
.-= Shan @ the fairy blogmother´s last blog ..you capture - red =-.
Florence says
Beautiful pics of you and your daughter, and great recipe, just what I was looking for. Thanks!
Florence says
Beautiful pics of you and your daughter, and great recipe, just what I was looking for. Thanks!