This Easy Apple Crisp features tender cinnamon-spiced apples tucked beneath a buttery, golden oat topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a good old-fashioned Southern dessert!
6largegranny smith apples (you can use other varieties)peeled and sliced or cubed
1/4cupgranulated sugar (white sugar)
1-2tspground cinnamon
1/8tspground nutmeg
2Tbsphoney or maple syrup
2tsplemon juice
Crisp Topping:
1cuppacked light brown sugar
3/4cupall purpose flour
3/4cupold fashioned oats or quick cooking oats (not instant)
1tspground cinnamon
1/2cupcold salted buttercubed
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Apple Filling: Core, slice and peel the apples. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir using a large spoon until the apples are evenly coated. Pour into the prepared dish.
Crisp Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, flour, oats and ground cinnamon. Cut the butter into the mixture using a pastry blender by hand until the ingredients are all combined and form a crumbly texture resembling pea-sized crumbs.
Spread the crumbly mixture evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy on top.
Serve immediately topped with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Apples - Granny Smith apples are able to maintain their integrity when baking which is why they're classic when making apple pie. I chose them for the same reason for this crisp recipe. You could also use braeburn apples, honeycrisp apples, golden delicious, pink lady or gala apples. Any firm apples will work.
Nuts - You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
Butter - You can use unsalted butter for the topping. When doing so, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to balance the taste.
Gluten-FreeFlour - You could adapt this recipe using almond flour.
Apple Pie Spice - You can use 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice in place of cinnamon and nutmeg in the apple mixture.
Lemon Zest - You could add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest or lemon juice for a hint of citrus flavor.
Serving Options - Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream, with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, maple syrup, or enjoy all in its own for breakfast. Your secrets' safe with me!