Grandma’s Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

The other day, I almost set the kitchen on fire. Not a dramatic, movie-style fire, just a little smoky oopsie. I was trying to rush things, as usual, getting too confident with my broiler. If you are looking for other cozy dishes, check out this cozy fall soup to round out your menu.

See, I had this batch of apples, a bit past their prime for just eating out of hand. But still good, you know? Like those apples that sit in the fruit bowl for a week and start to get a little soft. Perfect for baking. For those who want to see how the experts do it, you can also look at this classic apple crisp recipe for more inspiration.

So, I decided it was time for an old fashioned easy apple crisp. Something simple, something comforting. But then I got distracted by a football game on the radio. Always a mistake.

Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

Look, sometimes you just need something real. Something that reminds you of growing up, of kitchens filled with the smell of cinnamon and sugar. This old fashioned easy apple crisp is that kind of dish. It’s not fancy, it doesn’t need a thousand obscure ingredients.

It’s just honest-to-goodness comfort food. The kind of thing you can throw together on a Sunday afternoon without much fuss. And that’s exactly why I love it. It delivers big flavor without a big headache.

Ingredients for the Best Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

Getting the right ingredients is half the battle, even for something as simple as this old fashioned easy apple crisp. You don’t need anything exotic, just good, solid stuff. I always say, good ingredients make good food. It’s not rocket science, it’s just common sense.

TodayMeal – Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp – Fruit Base

6 Golden Delicious apples (peeled and chopped) – Golden Delicious are my go-to for this old fashioned easy apple crisp. They get soft and sweet without turning to total mush. You want that slight bite. But honestly, use what you got. Granny Smiths add a nice tartness if you like that contrast.

2 Tbsp granulated sugar – Just a little extra sweetness for the apples, helps them break down nicely. Don’t overdo it, the topping has plenty.

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon – This is the magic spice. It just screams “apple pie” or “apple crisp.” Don’t skimp.

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice – A little splash brightens everything up and keeps the apples from turning brown. It really makes a difference in the final flavor.

For the Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Topping

1 cup light brown sugar – This gives the topping that deep, caramelly flavor. Dark brown sugar works too, for an even richer taste.

3/4 cup old fashioned oats – The oats are key for that classic crumbly texture. Old fashioned are best, they hold up. Quick oats are fine in a pinch, but it won’t be quite the same.

3/4 cup all-purpose flour – Binds everything together in the topping. Just regular white flour, nothing special.

1 tsp ground cinnamon – More cinnamon! You can never have too much cinnamon in an apple crisp. It just enhances everything.

Pinch of kosher salt – Don’t skip the salt! It balances the sweetness and makes all the other flavors pop. A little bit goes a long way.

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (diced into small cubes) – Cold butter is crucial here. It helps create those distinct crumbly bits that make a great topping. If it’s too warm, it’ll just mix in like a paste, and we don’t want that for our old fashioned easy apple crisp.

How to Make Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

This is where the rubber meets the road. Making an old fashioned easy apple crisp isn’t hard, but there are a few steps that make all the difference. Don’t rush it, and you’ll be rewarded. It’s all about getting the textures right.

Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp – Step 1: Prep Work

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. This is important. You want that oven hot and ready when your dish goes in, not warming up with the crisp inside. It helps things cook evenly and get that good golden color.

Butter an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. I usually just use butter. It adds a nice flavor and helps prevent sticking.

Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp – Step 2: Make the Topping

In a separate mixing bowl, add all your topping ingredients: brown sugar, oats, flour, the remaining 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and your diced cold butter. This is where the magic happens for the crumbly top of your old fashioned easy apple crisp.

Now, use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture. You want to use a slight downward twisting motion. Keep going until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs. This takes a little patience, but it’s worth it.

Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp – Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Spread the topping evenly over the apples in your baking dish. Don’t be shy. Get it all over there. Gently pat it down a bit to even it out, but don’t compact it too much. You still want some air in there for crispiness.

Bake for 40-50 minutes. You’re looking for a golden brown color on top. And you want to see the apple filling bubbling up around the edges. Serve warm and enjoy! This old fashioned easy apple crisp is best straight out of the oven. If you need a savory side to balance the meal, try my classic green bean dish.

Tips for a Perfect Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

Getting that old fashioned easy apple crisp just right isn’t rocket science, but a few pointers can make it even better. First off, don’t skimp on the cold butter for the topping. I know it’s tempting to use softened butter for ease, but those cold chunks are what give you that lovely, distinct crumble.

Also, don’t overcrowd your baking dish. If your apples are piled too high, they’ll steam instead of bake properly, and you’ll end up with a watery bottom. An 8×8 is usually perfect for this amount of fruit. If you double the recipe, use a 9×13.

Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Health Benefits

Alright, let’s be real. This isn’t health food in the strict sense. It’s dessert. But apples, they’re good for you. They’ve got fiber, which is always a plus for keeping things moving. And they’re packed with vitamins and antioxidants. So, you’re getting some good stuff in there. You can read more about apple nutrition facts in general, even with the sugar.

Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

This easy apple crisp is made the old fashioned way, perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 6 golden delicious apples peeled and chopped
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup old fashioned oats quick oats can be used
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Butter an 8x8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp of the cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
• In a separate mixing bowl, add topping ingredients (brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter).
• Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture, using a slight downward twisting motion, until mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs. Alternatively, you can use two forks or even your hands to cut butter into the mixture.
• Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out. Bake 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
• Serve warm and enjoy! We love to top ours with some vanilla bean ice cream, or whipped cream.