Cozy Fall Apple Crisp Recipe
Introduction
Nothing says fall like the warm aroma of baked apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen. This cozy apple crisp recipe is delightfully simple and comes together in just 15 minutes of prep time. Enjoy tender spiced apples topped with a buttery, crunchy crumble that’s perfect for any chilly evening.

Ingredients
- 6 medium apples (about 2.5 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (optional, for extra texture)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the lemon juice to prevent browning and add a hint of tang.
- Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats (if using), brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Step 3: Add the cold butter pieces to the dry mixture. Using a pastry blender, your fingers, or a fork, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the nuts if you are using them.
- Step 4: Pour the apple mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish or a similar-sized pie plate. Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples, covering right to the edges.
- Step 5: Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbly around the edges.
- Step 6: Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving. It’s wonderful warm, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips & Variations
- Choose apples that hold their shape when baked such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best texture and flavor.
- Keep the butter cold to achieve the perfect crumbly topping—work quickly to avoid melting it.
- Oats are optional but add a pleasant chewiness; you can omit them or substitute with additional flour if preferred.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping for extra crunch and a nutty flavor.
- For a non-soggy base, consider pre-baking the apple slices for 10 minutes before adding the crumble topping.
Storage
Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The crisp also freezes well—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this apple crisp recipe without oats?
Yes, you can omit the oats entirely. The topping will still be crisp and buttery with just the flour, sugar, spices, and butter. Adding extra flour or chopped nuts can help maintain texture if you leave out the oats.
What apples are best for apple crisp?
Use apples that hold their shape and offer a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Braeburn are popular choices. Avoid varieties like Red Delicious that tend to become mushy when baked.
PrintCozy Fall Apple Crisp Recipe
This Cozy Fall Apple Crisp is a simple, comforting classic dessert perfect for the autumn season. It features tender, spiced baked apples topped with a sweet, crunchy crumble made from flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cold butter. The recipe is quick to prep—just 15 minutes—with an easy layering and baking process that yields a warm, satisfying treat perfect for serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 medium apples (about 2.5 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced (about 1/2 inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (optional, for extra texture)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the apple crisp once assembled.
- Prepare the Apples: In a large bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This prevents browning and adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats (if using), brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined. Add the cold butter pieces, and using a pastry blender, fingers, or fork, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts if using.
- Assemble the Crisp: Pour the lemon-coated apple slices into an 8×8 inch baking dish or a similar-sized pie plate. Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples, making sure to cover the edges thoroughly for an even crunch.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. The crisp is ready when the topping is a beautiful golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm on its own, or for an extra indulgence, serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra special treat.
- Use a mix of apple varieties (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji) for a complex sweet-tart flavor.
- Adjust the spices to your taste—feel free to add more cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.
- If you want to avoid oats, simply omit them; you can add a bit more flour or sugar to compensate.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat gently.
- You can prepare the apple slices and crumble topping separately a day ahead for convenience.
Keywords: apple crisp, homemade apple crisp, easy apple crisp, fall dessert, apple crumble, baked apples, cinnamon apples, simple dessert, no oats apple crisp, apple crisp recipe without oats

