Easy apple crisp

Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.

Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone’s favourite.


You asked, and we are happy to help!! Over on our Mia Kouppa Facebook page, we asked you guys if you would prefer apple pie or apple crisp. The overwhelming majority responded with apple crisp. Of course, a few of you suggested that both would be great – and one person specifically asked for Shoofly pie. We looked that up. Shoofly pie has nothing to do with apples, but it does look delicious so thanks for that suggestion!

We’re not surprised that crisp won out over pie. The latter involves preparing pie crust; waiting while it chills, rolling it out, getting frustrated if it breaks apart. A great pie is worth all of this! But, when you want a fantastic apple dessert without much fuss, our easy apple crisp is the recipe you want to reach for. Try it once and we’re pretty sure you will make it again, and again, and again.

Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.

Helpful hints

What is the difference between a crisp, a crumble and a cobbler?

Great question! First, they are all desserts, and they are all wonderful! Here is a brief lesson on crisp vs. crumble vs. cobbler:

  • A crisp is a fruit dessert which is topped with a combination of flour, oats, sugar and butter. The crust can also contain nuts sometimes. The topping completely (or nearly completely) covers the fruit and the entire thing is baked.
  • A crumble is almost identical to a crisp except that it does not contain oats in the topping.
  • A cobbler is another baked fruit dessert. The topping here however is almost like a biscuit and it is dropped or spooned onto the fruit, giving it a cobbled appearance.

What apple variety is best to use in apple crisp?

Honestly, we think that the best apples to use are the ones you have. We have made our easy apple crisp with all sorts of apples, and combinations of apples. In all of our research (the things we do Mia Kouppa!) we have never made an apple crisp that hasn’t been devoured with gusto.

Can apple crisp be made ahead of time?

It sure can! To make dessert even easier, you can assemble your apple crisp, keep it in the refrigerator and bake it about an hour before serving. We love to do this when we have guests; as dinner is winding down we pop our apple crisp into the oven and enjoy the lovely smells coming out of the kitchen. And then, when it’s time for dessert it will be fresh out of the oven!

Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.

Pin this recipe if you like it!

Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.
Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.

Looking for more apple desserts:

Apple cake

Apple baklava

Mini apple pies

We love hearing from you!  If you have made our recipes, or if you have a question or comment, or simply want to say Hi!,  please leave a comment and star rating below! Also be sure to follow along with us, on FacebookInstagram and Pinterest.  We have lots of fun over there.

Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.
Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.

Easy apple crisp

Learn how to make an easy apple crisp that will become everyone's favourite.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 287kcal
Author: Mia Kouppa

Equipment

  • 9 inch pie plate
  • Pastry cutter, optional

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 7 medium size apples see Recipe Note
  • 2 tbsp (25 grams) sugar
  • 1 tsp (3 grams) ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice freshly squeezed

For the topping

  • 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar
  • ¾ cup (75 grams) oats we prefer large cut oats
  • ¾ cup (110 grams) all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp (3 grams) ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp (5 grams) unsalted butter, softened for greasing the pie plate

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Prepare your pie plate by spreading 1 tsp of butter across the bottom and up the sides. Set aside.
    1 tsp (5 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • Wash, peel and core your apples. Cut them into chunks about ½ inch wide and transfer them to a bowl. You don't have to worry about having your apple pieces uniform in shape or size.
    7 medium size apples
  • Toss your apples with the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Transfer your apple mixture to your prepared pie plate.
    2 tbsp (25 grams) sugar, 1 tsp (3 grams) ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice

Prepare the topping

  • In a medium size bowl combine the brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon and salt. Whisk to combine.
    1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar, ¾ cup (75 grams) oats, ¾ cup (110 grams) all purpose flour, 1 tsp (3 grams) ground cinnamon, ½ tsp salt
  • Break the softened butter up in pieces and add it to the bowl.
    ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • Using a pastry cutter or your hands, mix in the butter until it is thoroughly combined with the dry ingredients in the bowl. Your final texture should look like pea-sized clumps of dry ingredients.
  • Using your hands transfer the topping to your pie plate and spread it evenly so that all of your apples are covered. Press down with your hand to make a compact topping. If you like, take some extra butter and dot the top of your crust with it.
  • Bake in the middle rack of your oven for 50 - 60 minutes until your filing is bubbling and your crust is golden brown.
  • Allow to cool slightly before serving.
  • Apple crisp is best served warm or at room temperature.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Apples: You can use any variety of apple you like in this recipe; here we use Macintosh apples but others work equally well.  Some of our favourites include Yellow delicious, Lobo and Spartan apples.
Apple crisp is delicious served with ice cream! 
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator where it will keep for a few days.

Nutrition

Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 458IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Thanks for sharing!

4 Comments

  1. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen says:

    Nothing like an apple crisp! I’m making some today in fact!

  2. Barbara Tilley says:

    I just made your very good apple cake. I felt secure that it would come out well because you gave a measurement for the cups of diced apple, rather than just saying ” take x number of apples.. While I know that precise measurements are not as necessary for crisps as for a cake, I’d still like to see how many cups of apple (or anything else) should be used. I found another interesting apple cake online, but I decided not to make it because it called for 4 SICILIAN apples. I had no idea how large those apples might be. Even with the Fuji apples I bought at an orchard here in Pennsylvania, they differed in size.

    1. miakouppa says:

      Hi Barbara! Thank you for your feedback, and we are so thrilled that you find our details helpful! We work hard to try and make our recipes as easy to use as possible. Hoping that you find much more to love here with us! xoxo Helen & Billie

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