Simple Apple Cinnamon Crisp

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There’s nothing like the smell of warm apples and cinnamon baking in the oven to bring a sense of comfort and coziness to the homestead. This Simple Apple Cinnamon Crisp is a perfect dessert that uses just a few basic ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry. It’s a go-to treat for those cool evenings when you want something sweet but simple.

Whether you’ve picked apples from your own trees, sourced them locally, or grabbed a bag from the store, this recipe is all about bringing out the natural flavors of the fruit. Plus, it’s flexible—you can easily adjust the sweetness or add a handful of oats for extra texture.

One of the best things about this recipe is its simplicity. Unlike pies, which require rolling and shaping the dough. Apple cinnamon crisp lets the apples shine with minimal effort. The crumble topping provides the perfect balance of buttery richness and oat-filled crunch. Plus, its a forgiving recipe for those of you who are new to cooking from scratch.

If you are looking for a dessert that feels nostalgic and effortless this is for you. This apple cinnamon crisp delivers in flavor and simplicity. Serve it fresh out of the oven and you’ll understand why this classic recipe never goes out of style. Let’s dive in!

Simple Apple Cinnamon Crisp

Warm apples baked to tender perfection under a golden, buttery oat crumble. This classic apple cinnamon crisp is the ultimate cozy dessert, blending sweet and tart flavors with hints of cinnamon and sugar. Perfect on its own or served with a big scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a comforting, homemade treat.

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Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Equipment

• 9×13 baking dish
• Mixing Bowls
• Cutting Board
• Peeler
• Measuring Cups
• Wooden Spoon
• Pastry Cutter

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Apples:

• 6-8 medium apples I like to use Gala but any baking apple will do
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2-3 tbsp sugar adjust for sweetness
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

For the Crisp Topping:

• 3/4 c rolled oats
• 3/4 c all-purpose flour I've used both whole wheat and unbleached
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch kosher salt
• 1/2 c cold unsalted butter diced into cubes
• 1/2 c cold butter (salted or unsalted) to be placed on top of crisp

Instructions

 

Prep the Oven and Dish:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Make the Filling:

• In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice. Stir to combine, then move filling to your baking dish.

Prepare the Topping:

• In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cold diced butter. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix the topping until it resembles a crumb topping.

Assemble:

• Sprinkle oat topping evenly over the apples. Sporadically place the 1/2 c of diced salted butter on top of the oat topping.

Bake:

• Bake in a preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.

Serve!

• Let it cool for as long as your patience allows. Enjoy warm, optionally with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Notes

Apple Varieties: For the nest flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Mixing varieties creates a more complex flavor profile.

Adjusting sweetness: Taste your apples before baking — if they’re particularly sweet, reduce the sugar in the filling. If they’re more tart, you can add an extra tablespoon of sugar.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend to make this dessert gluten-free. 

Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut oil or plant-based butter in the topping for a dairy-free version.

Make-Ahead Tips: Assemble the crisp and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, allow apple crisp to sit at room temp for 15 minutes.

Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave to restore the crisp topping and warm the apples.

Serving Suggestions: Pair with ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.

Scaling the Recipe: This recipe easily doubles for larger gatherings — just adjust your baking dish size accordingly.

Keyword apple cinnamon crumble, apple crisp, baked apple crisp

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This Simple Apple Cinnamon Crisp is a homestead classic—warm, comforting, and filled with seasonal flavors. It’s quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for sharing with family or friends. Plus, the ingredients are simple enough that you can make it anytime the craving strikes. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do on the homestead!