Apple Crisp is the favorite easy apple dessert of fall. It’s far easier than apple pie and ours added dried cranberries and nuts! There’s nothing as good as warm apple crisp with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
This easy Apple Crisp recipe is straight out of my grandmother’s recipe box. It’s a longtime family favorite during apple season and just one bite will explain why.
Sweet honey apple, cranberry and walnut filling topped with a crisp golden brown crust. It’s one of those easy recipes everyone loves.
No fussy steps and hours to make this favorite fall dessert. Easy to make regular or gluten-free with a flour change (we’ve made it both ways).
AND I’m sharing a secret ingredient I use to give it a little kick!
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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Classic apple crisp is a favorite fall recipe. It’s made with simple ingredients and always gets rave reviews.
Like many family recipes this Apple Crisp recipe of my grandmother’s is a favorite. It’s undergone a few changes in my kitchen.
The original recipe uses raisins, and those can still be used. I did not have any when I first made it but did have dried cranberries. They make the best apple crisp recipe! The cranberries have become a favorite and perfect for the holidays.
Apple Crisp is defined by its topping, which usually includes oats.
This recipe does not use crispy oats. Instead of oatmeal topping, the crisp topping is a combination of flour, sugar and butter. It bakes to a fine crisp texture that’s wonderfully delicious.
Recipe Ingredients + Notes
Apples. You’ll need 5-7 sweet apples peeled and sliced to yield 8 cups. For favorite types of apples see the section below.
Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice always has the best flavor. It both adds flavor and helps the apples not brown as much.
Dried Cranberries. If possible find apple juice sweetened cranberries. They are plump and less intensely sweet. Any dried cranberries will work though be sure they are plump and not hard.
Walnuts. Chopped walnuts give this homemade apple crisp a wonderful flavor and bite.
Granulated Sugar. Gives the sweetness in this delicious dessert.
Cinnamon. Ground cinnamon is a perfect flavor partner in apple recipes. You’ll use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon .
Nutmeg. A bit of this fall-flavored spice adds wonderful flavor to the apple filling.
All Purpose Flour. Regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour can be used. We love using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour in our gluten-free desserts.
Unsalted butter. Use cold butter.
Optional topping: vanilla bean ice cream.
What are the best apples for Apple Crisp
The perfect apple to use is firm crisp apples that will hold their structure during baking. Though the apples soften when cooked you don’t want them to turn out mushy.
A single type of apple can be used or they can be mixed.
Here are some great apple favorites:
- Honeycrisp apples (our favorite apple)
- Golden Delicious
- Crispins
- Jonagold
- Braeburn
My secret ingredient
This might sound bizarre but I add a little bit of mild chile powder to this apple crisp recipe when I make it.
The combination of subtle warming spice with the sweet apples and cranberries is a magical flavor combination of Southwestern cuisine.
Anyone who has enjoyed dining in Santa Fe will know the wonders of combining the earthy flavors of mild chile powder with cinnamon and sweetness. I use mild chimayo chile powder but this recipe is delicious without it too.
And if you like that you’ll probably love our Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce for holidays too! Kicks it up a notch.
Variations
Mix sweet and tart apples. To change up the flavor combine both sweet apples and tart apples. A bit of tart flavor from Granny Smith apples perks up the dish.
Swap in raisins instead of cranberries. To make the original recipe try raisins instead of dried cranberries.
Use brown sugar. For a more caramel flavor mix in some light or dark brown sugar for a portion of the granulated sugar.
How to Make Apple Crisp – Step-by-Step
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
STEP 2. Make the filling
In a large mixing bowl combine the sliced apples, lemon juice, cranberries, walnuts, ½ cup of the sugar, and the spices (photos 1-2).
Toss apples to fully coat and mix the ingredients (photo 3).
Spoon into a 9-inch by 9-inch square baking dish (photo 4).
STEP 3. Make the topping
In a medium bowl combine the remaining ½ cup sugar, flour and cut in the butter with a dough blender (also called a pastry blender or pastry cutter) or a fork until crumbly (photos 5-6).
Sprinkle the crumb mixture over apple mixture (photo 7).
STEP 4. Bake and cool
Bake for 40 minutes or until the topping becomes golden brown (photo 8).
Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.
Pro Tip
Use a pastry blender for the topping. Though a fork can also be used a pastry blender best combines cold butter into the other topping ingredients. The end topping will have a sandy consistency with no large pieces of butter; it will all be incorporated.
The moisture in the apples will effect the cooking time. AND how juice the crisp is. If you use apples that are not very moist and reach the end of the cooking time without them being fully cooked, loosely cover the pan with foil. This creates some humidity as it cooks.
How to Store
Apple crisp can be left out, covered, at room temperature for up to 2 day. We prefer to refrigerate any leftovers with the baking pan covered or placed into an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
To reheat, servings can be microwaved or even popped into an air fryer to crisp up the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar in that they both have a sweet apple layer. The topping is what makes them different. Typically apple crumble is usually topped with a streusel which remains cakey when baked. Where an apple crisp usually includes oats or nuts which become crisp when baked. Technically this recipe may also be considered an apple crumble though in our family it has always been Apple Crisp.
This is something that happens to oat toppings. With this recipe the topping does not become soggy when stored in the refrigerator in the same way as an oat topped crisp.
If this happens place a piece of foil loosely over the top of the pan and cook until the apples are done.
More recipes you’ll love!
Recipe
Apple Crisp with Cranberries and Walnuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5-7 large sweet Apples peeled and thickly sliced to yield 8 cups (see Notes for apple varieties)
- 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed Lemon Juice
- ½ cup Dried Cranberries (apple juice sweetened if available, usually at stores like Whole Foods)
- ½ cup chopped Walnuts
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½-3/4 teaspoon Mild Chile Powder optional
- ¾ cup All-Purpose Flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
- 1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) cold Unsalted Butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine the sliced apples, lemon juice, cranberries, walnuts, ½ cup of the sugar, and the spices. Mix well by to coat the apples.
- Spoon into a 9-inch by 9-inch square pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the remaining ½ cup sugar, flour and cut in the butter with a dough/pastry blender (or two knives) until crumbly in texture.
- Sprinkle topping over the apple mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until the pples are fork-tender and the topping becomes lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Honeycrisp apples (our favorite apple)
- Golden Delicious
- Crispins
- Jonagold
- Braeburn
Nutrition
Originally published: November 2, 2011
Tayler says
I love the combination of apple and cranberry! So delicious and perfect for fall!
Aimee Mars says
This is the perfect holiday spin on a fall classic. Wonder if I could get away with making this for breakfast during December??
Renee B says
Apples and cranberries are always delicious together, and I love the addition of the chili powder in this recipe. It really elevates the the warm spices.
Dana says
Absolutely loved the addition of cranberries here! Nice little berry bursts of flavor 🙂
Carrie Robinson says
This is like the perfect comfort food in dessert form! 🙂 So great for apple season too.
Serena Johnson says
I love a good crisp! This was delicious. The dried cranberries and walnuts add some great flavor. Planning to serve this for the holidays too.
Andrea says
A perfect Fall dessert. I love that this has cranberries in it and the little bit of heat from the mild chile powder.
leslie says
I love this crisp so much, and the cranberries put this over the top for me!
Matt Taylor says
I love a good Apple crisp! I had never tried it with walnuts and cranberries before. Such a great added touch to add some depth and texture.
Emily says
I always put nutmeg in my crisps but I had never added chile powder. Well, I decided to do it and it was delicious. Great recipe!