The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Introduction

This apple crisp recipe combines tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a crunchy, nutty oat topping for the ultimate comfort dessert. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for cozy gatherings or a special treat any time of year.

Ingredients

• For the topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup chopped almonds
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces
• For the filling:
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 6 medium-sized Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced
  • ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp. bourbon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease an 8×8 baking pan.
2. Step 2: Make the topping by combining the flour, oats, brown sugar, and chopped almonds in a large bowl. Add the butter pieces and use your hands to squeeze and mix until crumbly and resembling wet sand. Place the topping in the fridge to chill.
3. Step 3: For the filling, place the butter and seeds scraped from the vanilla bean in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk consistently as the butter foams and starts turning a light brown, caramel color. Remove when it develops a nutty aroma and transfer to a bowl to cool.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and bourbon. Add the browned butter and mix well.
5. Step 5: Take a heaping ½ cup of the topping mixture and toss it with the apple filling. Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining topping evenly over the top.
6. Step 6: Place the baking pan on a baking sheet and bake for 55–60 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use your hands for mixing the topping to achieve the best crumbly texture, or pulse briefly in a food processor if pressed for time.
• Swap almonds for pecans or walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
• Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Storage

Store leftover apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warm. For a crispier topping, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples?

Yes, tart apples like Granny Smith work best to balance the sweetness, but you can mix in sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp for variety.

What can I substitute for bourbon?

If you prefer no alcohol, use apple juice or additional vanilla extract as a substitute for bourbon to maintain flavor depth.

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 69 reviews

This classic apple crisp features thinly sliced Granny Smith apples tossed in a rich brown butter vanilla bourbon filling and topped with a crunchy oat, almond, and brown sugar crumble. Baked until golden and bubbling, it’s the perfect comforting dessert served warm with vanilla bean ice cream.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped almonds
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces

For the Filling:

• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 6 medium-sized Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp bourbon

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and generously grease an 8×8 inch baking pan to prevent sticking during baking.
2. Make the Topping: In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and chopped almonds until evenly mixed. Add the softened butter pieces and use your hands to squeeze and blend the mixture until it forms a crumbly texture resembling wet sand. Alternatively, you can use a pastry cutter or pulse the ingredients briefly in a food processor. Place the finished topping in the fridge to chill while making the filling.
3. Prepare the Brown Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter along with the seeds scraped from the split vanilla bean. Continuously whisk for a few minutes; the butter will foam and crackle, then begin to brown and take on a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately and transfer to a bowl to prevent burning. Allow it to cool slightly.
4. Mix Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and bourbon until well combined. Add the cooled brown butter and toss again to evenly coat the apples.
5. Combine Apples and Topping: Take a heaping ½ cup of the chilled topping and gently mix it into the apple filling. This will add extra texture and flavor inside. Then, spread the entire apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan.
6. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining topping evenly over the apples. Place the pan on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling overflow, then bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling up around the edges.
7. Cool and Serve: Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream for the perfect finishing touch.

Notes

• Chilling the topping before baking helps maintain a crumbly, crunchy texture.
• Using brown butter and vanilla bean in the filling adds depth and complexity to the flavor.
• Thinly slicing the apples allows them to cook evenly and soften without becoming mushy.
• Serving warm with vanilla bean ice cream elevates this dessert to a decadent treat.
• Use an 8×8 inch pan to ensure the crisp cooks through evenly without drying out.

Keywords: apple crisp, classic apple dessert, autumn dessert, baked apple crisp, brown butter apple crisp, vanilla bourbon apple crisp, oat crumble topping