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A classic apple crisp featuring a crunchy oat topping and crust, layered with warmly spiced baked apples. Simple pantry staples combine for a comforting, flexible dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 3 cups apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients and your equipment so everything is ready to go.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
  3. Peel, core, and chop apples to yield about 3 cups.
  4. Toss apple pieces with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning (optional).
  5. Measure the flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off.
  6. In a large bowl, mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, and ½ cup melted butter until the mixture forms crumbly clumps.
  7. Press half of the oat crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
  8. Evenly spread the chopped apples over the crust.
  9. Sprinkle the apples with ½ cup white sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
  10. Scatter the remaining oat crumb mixture evenly across the top.
  11. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the apples are bubbling and the crumb topping is golden and caramelized around the edges; if the topping browns too quickly but the filling isn’t bubbling, tent loosely with foil and continue baking until bubbling.

Notes

Measure flour carefully by spooning into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid a tough, dry topping., Optional splash of lemon juice on apples prevents browning and keeps color bright., Press the first half of the oat crumb mixture firmly into the pan for a sturdy bottom crust and crunch contrast., Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans into oat topping for extra crunch., Add raisins or dried cranberries to apples for a sweet-tart flavor., Try mixing half pears with apples for a softer, sweeter filling., For a spice twist, add ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg or cardamom to cinnamon., Use gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free version., Store leftovers covered in fridge for 3-4 days; reheat as desired., Freeze cooled crisp wrapped tightly up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating., Assemble crisp up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking., Bake unbaked frozen crisp, adding extra time as needed., Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for best experience.

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