Rustic Apple Crisp with Warm Spices and Oat Topping (Print Version)

Make a Rustic Apple Crisp with warm spices and a crunchy oat topping. A simple, comforting dessert for any time.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Apple Filling

01 - 6-8 medium apples (about 3 lbs), a mix of sweet and tart (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
05 - 1 tbsp lemon juice

→ Crisp Topping

06 - 1 cup rolled oats
07 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those apples peeled, cored, and sliced! I usually go for about 1/4-inch thick slices, but honestly, sometimes I get a bit uneven when I'm rushing, and it’s fine. Toss them into a big bowl with the granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, the nutmeg, and that splash of lemon juice. Give it a good mix; you want every apple slice coated. I love how the lemon juice makes the apples glisten, and the spices already start to make the kitchen smell amazing. This is where I almost always taste a slice of apple, just to make sure it’s perfect, you know?
02 - Once the apples are seasoned, spread them evenly into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Don't worry if it looks like a lot; they'll cook down. This is the foundation of our Classic Apple Crisp Recipe. Sometimes, I pile them a bit high, and they always settle beautifully. I remember one time I used a dish that was too small, and the apple juice bubbled over everywhere in the oven, creating a sticky, caramelized mess. My oven was sparkling after that clean-up, but it was a pain! Make sure your dish has a little room for bubbling.
03 - In another bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the salt. Give it a whisk to make sure everything is evenly distributed. Now for the fun part: cut in the cold, cubed butter. I use my fingertips, kind of rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces remaining. This is crucial for that crumbly texture. If the butter gets too warm, the topping will be dense, not crisp. I once got distracted by a podcast and worked the butter too much; the result was less "crisp" and more "cookie." Oops, totally learned my lesson there!
04 - Sprinkle that glorious crumb topping evenly over the apples in your baking dish. Make sure you get good coverage; every bite deserves some of that oat-y goodness! Pop the whole thing into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). I usually set a timer for 30 minutes, then check it. You’ll want to bake it for about 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender. The aroma filling my house at this point? Honestly, it’s heavenly. I start to get really impatient, just waiting for that timer to go off.
05 - Once it’s beautifully golden and bubbling, carefully remove the Classic Apple Crisp from the oven. Resist the urge to dig in immediately, trust me! It needs about 15-20 minutes to cool down a bit and let the filling set. Plus, it’s lava hot right out of the oven, and I’ve burned my tongue more times than I care to admit trying to eat it too soon. That cooling time also helps the topping become even crispier, which is what we’re after, right?
06 - After a little rest, this Rustic Apple Crisp is ready for its moment! The topping should be wonderfully golden and crunchy, and beneath it, the apples will be soft, sweet, and perfectly spiced. When I scoop it out, I love seeing the steam rise, carrying all those warm, comforting scents. It’s truly a sight to behold, and that first bite, with the contrast of the crisp and the tender apples, is just pure bliss. It’s what makes all the peeling and slicing worth it, every single time.

# Notes:

01 - Always use cold butter for the topping; it makes all the difference for that crumbly texture.
02 - Store cooled leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for 3-4 days; reheat in the oven for best crispness.
03 - If you're out of brown sugar, use granulated sugar with a tiny splash of molasses for similar depth.
04 - Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream-it's truly the best combo!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9x13 inch baking dish
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - knife
04 - cutting board
05 - whisk
06 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350 kcal
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 3g

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