Apple Crisp Recipe
This Apple Crisp recipe is loaded with tender spiced apples, soaked in a thick caramel sauce, and topped with a buttery oat crumble.
This apple crisp recipe is one of my favorite fall and winter desserts of all time! It’s made the old-fashioned way like Grandma used to make it, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce! Fresh sliced green apples are topped with a cinnamon oat crumble and baked in the oven until golden.
I used almond flour and oats for the topping to make this recipe gluten-free, making it suitable for anyone with celiac disease, a gluten sensitivity, or those simply looking for a wholesome twist on a classic dessert. Using almond flour also adds a lovely, rich nuttiness that pairs perfectly with the warm cinnamon and apples! Just double-check that your rolled oats are explicitly certified gluten-free, as oats can sometimes be cross-contaminated during processing.
As soon as it’s apple-picking season, I head straight out to harvest a basket of fresh, crisp apples to make this. There is absolutely nothing better than using homegrown apples when they are at their peak sweetness! But it’s also a great dessert for Thanksgiving, and during the cold weather months.
Key Ingredients
Tart apples – I prefer to use tart apples like Granny Smith for this recipe, since they retain their firm texture during baking.
Rolled Oats – Old-fashioned rolled oats give the topping a crumbly texture and bring a healthy element into the apple crisp.
Cornstarch – Any starch will work for this recipe. Cornstarch will thicken the caramel sauce in the apple filling.
Almond flour – Adds a rich nuttiness to the crumble and helps create a beautifully crisp texture that perfectly mimics traditional flour.
How to make Apple Crisp
Prepare the apples. Peel, core, and slice the apples into roughly 1-inch wedges for a thick and tender apple crisp filling. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Make the Base. Toss the apple slices in lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, honey, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
Prepare for baking. Transfer the apples to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Make the topping. In a bowl, combine the almond flour, salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, and cubed cold butter. Use your fingers or a fork to crumble the butter. Stir in the oats.
Add the topping. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
Bake the apple crisp. Bake the apple crisp for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the apples are tender.
STORAGE TIPS
Store in the fridge. You can store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with aluminium or plastic wrap. Store for 4 to 5 days in the fridge.
Store in the freezer. Cool the apple crisp completely before storing in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheat. Place the baking dish in a preheated oven for 10 minutes or microwave until warmed through.
Why did my apple crisp topping turn into a paste instead of a crumble?
The butter was not cold enough. When making a crumble, using cold, cubed butter is essential. If the butter is too warm or room temperature, it melts into the flour rather than cutting into it, resulting in a greasy batter instead of crumbles.
From my Kitchen (Chef’s Notes)
Use cold butter: Your butter must be cold and cubed. If the butter is too warm, it will melt into the flour and oats, creating a greasy paste rather than distinct, pea-sized crumbles.
Don’t overmix: Stop working the butter into the almond flour as soon as it resembles coarse crumbs.
Opt for old-fashioned rolled oats: They hold their texture beautifully during baking, giving you that classic, rustic chew.
Use tart apples: Granny Smith apples are the standard for baking. Their sharp tartness perfectly balances the sweet topping, and they are firm enough to hold their shape without turning into applesauce in the oven.
FAQS
Granny Smiths are my favorite to use for this recipe. They are crisp and sweet, and hold their shape while baking.
You can. I suggest using 3/4 cup of flour instead of 1 cup of almond flour.
Yes, absolutely! You can easily swap the old-fashioned rolled oats for quick oats.
Absolutely! Just swap the butter for ghee or vegan butter.
Other Fall Desserts to try
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the apples. Peel, core, and slice the apples into roughly 1-inch wedges for a thick and tender apple crisp filling. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Make the Base. Toss the apple slices in lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
- Prepare for baking. Transfer the apples to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Make the topping. In a bowl, combine the almond flour, salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, and cubed cold butter. Use your fingers or a fork to crumble the butter. Stir in the oats.
- Add the topping. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
- Bake the apple crisp. Bake the apple crisp for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the apples are tender.
