Description
Classic Apple Crisp is a comforting, warm dessert featuring tender spiced apples topped with a buttery oat crumble. Perfectly balanced with lemon and orange zest, cinnamon, and warming spices, this easy-to-make apple crisp is baked until bubbly and golden. Serve it with whipped cream, ice cream, or sweetened Greek yogurt for a delightful treat that can be enjoyed fresh or reheated.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 (2 pounds) medium to large cooking apples
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Crumble Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 3/4 cup Old Fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (or vegan butter or room temperature refined coconut oil for vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the apple crisp evenly.
- Prepare Apple Filling: Core, peel, and cut the apples into 1/2-inch chunks. In a large bowl, combine the cut apples with lemon juice, lemon zest, orange zest, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. Toss everything well to make sure the apple chunks are evenly coated with the spices and citrus flavors.
- Make Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and kosher salt. Add the vanilla extract, then cut the cold butter into small pieces and add to the mixture. Use your hands, a pastry cutter, or a fork to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until a crumbly dough forms. It should be evenly distributed and crumbly but not fully combined.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Grease a 9 x 9-inch baking dish or an equivalent-sized dish. Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the bottom of the dish. Evenly distribute the crumble topping over the apples, covering the entire surface.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is nicely browned and the apple filling is bubbly. This indicates the apples are cooked through and the crumble is crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving. It pairs wonderfully with Greek yogurt sweetened with maple syrup, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Storage: Store any leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm in a 350 degree oven until bubbling and the topping has regained its crispness.
Notes
- Adjust sugar quantity depending on the tartness of your apples and personal sweetness preference.
- Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour to make this crisp gluten-free.
- For a vegan version, substitute unsalted butter with vegan butter or refined coconut oil.
- Old Fashioned rolled oats give the topping a nice texture compared to quick oats.
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
