Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

This old-fashioned apple crisp recipe with oatmeal and topping is the best fall dessert. It’s easy to make and a great way to use autumn apples. This naturally gluten-free apple crisp recipe is easy and delicious. 

This old-fashioned apple crisp with oatmeal topping recipe combines a mountain of warmly spiced apple slices with a crumbly oatmeal streusel topping. I love this Peach Crisp or Blueberry Crisp in the summer, but in the fall and winter, it’s all about the apples.

What You’ll LOVE About this Apple Crisp: 

• Warmly spiced flavors: Old-fashioned apple crisp is filled with warm and cozy flavors like cinnamon and apples, making it perfect for autumn, winter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas 
• Oatmeal Topping: The crumbly oatmeal topping on this crisp is so delicious 
• Simpler than Pie: With crisps, there’s no fussing over crusts, and we love rustic recipes. If you love pie crust,  try our Apple Crumble Pie. 
• Naturally Gluten-Free: Fruit crisps are easy to make gluten-free! Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats
• No eggs: This is a great option for anyone who wants a baking recipe without eggs 
• A lighter dessert: Fruit crisps tend not to be as heavy as other desserts like cakes and pies. The ingredients are less refined and have more fiber. 

What Type of Apples to Use for Pies and Crisps 

We use Honeycrisp apples for this recipe, but other types also work. Pink Lady, McIntosh, Jonathan, and Granny Smith all work well. Look for tart, firm apples. You can check out our Apple Sweetness Chart for more information about baking with apples. 

How to Make an Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Fruit crisps and crumbles have two main components: the fruit filling and the crumble topping. This recipe uses a gluten-free oatmeal crisp topping. 

1. Make the crumble topping: Combine the oats, butter, and other crisp topping ingredients in a mixer.
2. Make the apple filling: Toss the apple slices with spices, sugar, and a little lemon juice. 
3. Pour into a baking dish: Arrange the apples so you can fit as many slices as possible into the dish. Then, crumble the topping evenly over the top. 
4. Bake at 375 degrees F: The apple filling will take about an hour to get soft and juicy. This can depend on the size of your apple slices and type of apples. 

Serving Apple Crisp

Fruit crisps are best served warm and while the topping is still crisp. A scoop of vanilla or vanilla bean ice cream is highly recommended. The creaminess of the ice cream is the perfect complement to the warmly spiced fruit and oatmeal crumble topping. 

Make Ahead 

Apple crisp with oatmeal crumble topping can be made up to one day in advance. Bake the crisp and cool completely. Cover with foil and refrigerate. 

To freeze, follow the same steps, but cover with an outer layer of plastic wrap. Fruit crisps can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

To reheat, thaw frozen crisp in the refrigerator overnight. Place a 350-degree F oven until warm, about 20-25 minutes. 

Continue to Content

Yield: Serves 8

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

You will love this mountain of warmly spiced apples topped with an oatmeal crumble topping. For the best fall dessert, top warm apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Ingredients

Oat Topping

• 1 cup old fashioned oats (gluten-free if needed)
• 3/4 cup flour (see note)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced

Filling

• 4 pounds apples (about 7 apples)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Serving

• Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 12-13" oval, 9x13" or any 3-4 quart baking dish.
2. To make the oatmeal crumble topping, pour the oats, flour, salt, and brown sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer and mix to combine. Add the butter and mix just until crumbly. You can also use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients. Set aside.
3. Peel, core, and cut the apples into wedges around 1/2" wide. Place the apple wedges into a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Toss to combine.
4. Pour the apple mixture into your baking dish. Sprinkle the oatmeal topping evenly over the apples.
5. Bake until the apples are juicy and softened and the topping is golden brown, about 1 hour. Check on the crisp halfway through baking and cover with foil if needed to prevent further topping browning.
6. Remove the apple crisp from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

1. Flour: We make this a gluten-free apple crisp using a paleo flour blend (linked below). You can use any cup-for-cup flour or regular all-purpose if it doesn't need to be gf.
2. Apples: I use Honeycrisp apples, but Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Jonathan, and McIntosh work well.
3. Reheat: Leftovers can be reheated in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes or until warm and the topping crisps.
4. Storage: Cool completely, cover with foil, then store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recommended Products

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• 
  Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashion Rolled Oats, 32-ounce
• 
  Bobs Red Mill Flour Baking Paleo - Non Gluten - Pack of 2

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 354Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 7gSugar: 39gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your favorite calculator.