A Simple Yet Irresistible Apple Crisp Recipe for Every Occasion

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of a warm apple crisp baking in the oven. It’s a quintessential fall dessert, beloved for its comforting qualities and straightforward preparation. This particular recipe stands out from the crowd, offering a unique twist on the traditional apple crisp that might just become your new go-to. Unlike many recipes that feature an oat-based topping, ours boasts a heavenly butter crumble – a choice born out of a specific preference that ultimately led to a truly superior crisp. My family discovered that eliminating the oats results in a lighter, more delicate, and intensely buttery topping that perfectly complements the sweet and spiced apple filling below. The texture is simply divine: crisp on top, yielding to a tender, fruit-filled layer underneath, creating a symphony of flavors and sensations in every spoonful.

This easy apple crisp is designed for simplicity without compromising on flavor. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your culinary journey, you’ll find this recipe incredibly forgiving and rewarding. It’s the perfect dessert for a cozy family dinner, a festive gathering, or simply a treat to enjoy on a quiet afternoon. The blend of sweet apples and aromatic cinnamon, combined with the rich, crumbly topping, creates an experience that evokes warmth, nostalgia, and pure satisfaction. Prepare to fall in love with a crisp that’s wonderfully straightforward yet profoundly delicious.

The Magic of the Butter Crumble Topping: No Oats Needed!

What truly sets this apple crisp apart is its exquisite, oat-free butter crumble topping. Many traditional apple crisp recipes call for a combination of oats, brown sugar, and butter, creating a chewy and somewhat dense texture. While delightful in its own right, my family found a new favorite in a topping that emphasizes pure buttery crispness. The decision to omit oats was initially driven by a personal preference, but it quickly became clear that this simple change elevated the crisp to new heights. The result is a topping that bakes into a perfectly golden, light, and undeniably crunchy layer, offering a beautiful contrast to the soft, tender apple filling.

This buttery crumble is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just three core ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and cold salted butter. The secret to its irresistible texture lies in how these ingredients are combined. By “cutting” the cold butter into the flour and sugar mixture, you create small, pebble-like pieces of butter coated in the dry ingredients. As the crisp bakes, these butter pieces slowly melt, creating pockets of steam that result in that desired light and flaky crumble. The addition of chopped pecans introduces a wonderful nutty flavor and an extra layer of crunch, making each bite even more satisfying. This topping is so versatile and delicious, you’ll find yourself wanting to put it on everything!

Versatility Beyond Apples: Can I Use Other Pie Fillings?

Absolutely! While this recipe shines as an apple crisp, the butter crumble topping is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of fruit fillings. It’s a fantastic base recipe that you can easily adapt to seasonal fruits or whatever you have on hand. I’ve personally experimented with several different pie fillings, and each variation has been met with rave reviews.

• Cherry Pie Filling: A classic pairing! The tartness of cherry pie filling provides a delightful balance to the sweet, buttery crumble. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a touch of almond extract to the cherry filling before spreading the topping. It truly elevates the entire dessert.
• Peach Pie Filling: Peaches and cream, or in this case, peaches and butter crumble! Peach pie filling works wonderfully with this topping. You can even keep a hint of cinnamon in the peach filling for a warm, spiced flavor profile that’s reminiscent of summer afternoons.
• Blueberry Pie Filling: The vibrant burst of blueberries creates a delicious and colorful crisp. The rich topping provides a perfect counterpoint to the bright, fruity notes of the blueberries.
• Mixed Berry Filling: For an even more dynamic flavor, combine different berries like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries with blueberries. The medley of sweet and tart berries beneath the golden crumble is simply exquisite.
• Pear Filling: A slightly less common but equally delicious option. Pears, especially when spiced with a little ginger or cardamom, offer a subtle sweetness and tender texture that works beautifully with the butter crumble.
• Rhubarb Filling: If you enjoy a more tart dessert, a rhubarb filling (sweetened appropriately) can be an adventurous and incredibly satisfying choice. The tanginess of the rhubarb cuts through the richness of the butter topping for a perfectly balanced treat.

When using other fruit fillings, remember to adjust the spices accordingly. While cinnamon is perfect for apples and peaches, you might prefer to omit it for cherry or blueberry fillings, or swap it for a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of vanilla extract to complement the specific fruit flavors.

How to Make Apple Crisp with Fresh Apples from Scratch

While canned apple pie filling offers ultimate convenience, preparing this apple crisp with fresh apples takes it to another level of homemade goodness. The process is still incredibly simple, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant flavor and crisp texture that only fresh fruit can provide. To swap out the canned filling, you’ll need approximately 5 cups of peeled, cored, and thinly sliced fresh apples. The type of apple you choose can significantly impact the final taste and texture of your crisp. For the best results, aim for a mix of sweet and tart apples that hold their shape well during baking.

Choosing the Best Apples for Your Crisp:

• Granny Smith: These are a classic choice for baking due to their tartness and firm texture, which prevents them from turning to mush. They provide a nice counterbalance to the sweetness of the crisp.
• Honeycrisp: Sweet, crisp, and juicy, Honeycrisps are fantastic for both eating and baking. They retain their texture beautifully and add a wonderful sweetness.
• Fuji: Known for their sweetness and firm flesh, Fuji apples bake well and contribute a delightful flavor.
• Gala: A milder, sweeter apple that still holds its shape. Great when mixed with a tarter variety.
• Braeburn: Offers a good balance of sweet and tart with a firm texture.

Once you have your fresh apples prepared, combine them in a bowl with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Toss gently to ensure the apple slices are evenly coated. This mixture forms the flavorful base for your crisp, allowing the apples to soften and release their juices as they bake, creating a natural, aromatic syrup. Spread this apple mixture evenly into your baking dish, then proceed with the butter crumble topping recipe exactly as written. The fresh apples will bake down into a tender, flavorful filling that tastes incredibly fresh and wholesome, perfectly complemented by the rich, oat-free topping.

Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Apple Crisp

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable dessert. What’s fantastic about this recipe is its simplicity, relying on pantry staples you likely already have. Below is a concise list of what you’ll need for both the delightful apple filling and the signature no-oatmeal butter crumble topping. The full, detailed recipe card with precise measurements is included at the end of this post for your convenience.

For the Filling:

• Canned Apple Pie Filling: Two 21-ounce cans are typically sufficient for an 8×8 inch baking dish. This provides the ultimate shortcut, ensuring a consistently delicious and perfectly spiced apple base.
• Ground Cinnamon: A touch of extra cinnamon enhances the warmth and classic apple pie flavor. Adjust to your preference.

For the No-Oatmeal Butter Crumble Topping:

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our crispy, buttery topping. It gives structure and allows the butter to create those perfect crumbs.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the topping and helps it caramelize to a beautiful golden brown as it bakes.
• Cold Salted Butter, Cubed: The star ingredient for richness and flakiness. Using cold butter is crucial for achieving that distinct crumbly texture. If you only have unsalted butter, simply add a pinch of salt to the flour mixture.
• Chopped Pecans: These add a wonderful crunch and nutty depth of flavor that complements the apples and butter exquisitely. You can substitute with walnuts or omit if there are nut allergies.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Easy Apple Crisp

Creating this easy apple crisp is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these simple steps to bring a warm, comforting dessert to your table.

1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your crisp bakes evenly and develops that beautiful golden crust. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish, or a similar size, to prevent sticking.
2. Assemble the Apple Filling: Open both cans of apple pie filling and pour their contents directly into your prepared baking dish. Spread the filling evenly across the bottom.
3. Spice the Apples: Generously sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon over the apple filling. The amount can be adjusted based on your personal preference for cinnamon intensity. This layer of spice infuses the apples with a warm, inviting aroma as it bakes.
4. Create the Butter Crumble Topping: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and the cold, cubed salted butter.
5. Cut in the Butter: Using a fork, a pastry cutter, or even your fingertips (which can often be the easiest and most effective method!), work the butter into the flour and sugar mixture. Continue mixing until the butter is fully incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs or small pebbles. The key here is to keep the butter cold and not to overmix, which would lead to a tougher topping.
6. Add the Pecans: Stir the chopped pecans into the crumb mixture, distributing them evenly. These will add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to your crisp.
7. Top the Apples: Evenly spread the entire topping mixture over the cinnamon-spiced apple filling in the baking dish. Make sure the apples are mostly covered to ensure every bite includes some of that delicious crumble.
8. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is a light golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly around the edges. This bubbling indicates that the apples are heated through and the flavors have melded beautifully.
9. Cool and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the crisp from the oven. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps the filling set slightly and prevents you from burning your mouth on the molten fruit!

Your homemade easy apple crisp is now ready to be enjoyed! The combination of the warm, spiced apples and the crispy, buttery topping is simply irresistible.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

The beauty of a warm apple crisp lies not only in its delightful flavors but also in the myriad ways you can serve and enjoy it. While it’s utterly delicious on its own, adding a few embellishments can transform it into an even more decadent dessert experience. Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions:

• Classic Vanilla Ice Cream: This is arguably the most iconic pairing. The cool, creamy vanilla ice cream melts slightly into the warm apple crisp, creating a harmony of temperatures and textures that is simply divine. A high-quality vanilla bean ice cream will elevate this experience further.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy richness that perfectly complements the hearty crisp. You can sweeten the cream lightly with a touch of sugar and vanilla extract for extra flavor.
• Caramel Sauce: Drizzling warm caramel sauce over your apple crisp and ice cream is an indulgence that’s hard to resist. The buttery sweetness of caramel enhances the apple and cinnamon notes beautifully. A pinch of sea salt in your caramel can add a sophisticated touch.
• All Three! Why choose when you can have it all? A scoop of vanilla ice cream, a swirl of whipped cream, and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce make for an unforgettable dessert that covers all the bases: hot, cold, creamy, crunchy, sweet, and spiced.
• Custard or Crème Anglaise: For a more refined touch, serve your crisp with a warm vanilla custard or a delicate crème anglaise. Their smooth texture and rich flavor provide a luxurious accompaniment.
• A Sprinkle of Cinnamon: For those who love extra spice, a final dusting of ground cinnamon over the plated crisp adds an extra aromatic touch and visual appeal.
• With a Hot Beverage: Enjoy a slice of warm apple crisp with a cup of hot coffee, spiced tea, or even a glass of mulled cider on a chilly evening for the ultimate cozy treat.

No matter how you choose to serve it, this easy apple crisp is guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy any sweet craving. Don’t be shy – experiment with your favorite toppings and make it your own!

Tips for the Perfect Apple Crisp Every Time

Achieving a consistently perfect apple crisp is easy with a few simple tips. These guidelines will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your dessert is always a success, whether you’re using canned filling or fresh apples.

• Use Cold Butter for the Topping: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for a truly crumbly, flaky topping. Cold butter creates steam as it melts in the oven, leading to distinct crumbs rather than a solid, cookie-like crust. If your butter gets too warm while mixing, pop the bowl into the freezer for 10-15 minutes before spreading the topping.
• Don’t Overmix the Topping: Once the butter is cut into the flour and sugar, stop mixing. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense topping instead of a light, crumbly one.
• Prevent a Soggy Bottom: If you’re using fresh apples, ensure they aren’t overly watery. You can lightly pre-cook them for a few minutes on the stovetop to release some moisture, or toss them with a tablespoon of flour before placing them in the baking dish to absorb excess liquid. For canned filling, this is generally not an issue.
• Monitor Baking for Doneness: Keep an eye on your crisp during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. The topping should be golden brown and the filling actively bubbling around the edges. If the topping is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil.
• Rest Before Serving: While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, allowing the crisp to rest for at least 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven is beneficial. This allows the filling to set slightly, making it easier to serve and preventing it from being too runny.
• Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If using fresh, very sweet apples, you might reduce the sugar in the apple mixture slightly. Conversely, if your apples are very tart, you might add an extra tablespoon or two.
• Experiment with Spices: While cinnamon is key, don’t hesitate to add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or even a tiny amount of ground cloves to your apple filling for a more complex flavor profile, especially if using fresh apples.

Storage and Reheating Your Apple Crisp

Leftover apple crisp is a rare treat, but if you happen to have some, here’s how to store it and reheat it to maintain its deliciousness.

• Storage: Once the crisp has cooled completely to room temperature, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can store it on the countertop for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the apple crisp. Wrap the cooled crisp tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating in the Oven: This is the best method for restoring the crisp’s texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the crisp loosely with foil to prevent the topping from over-browning, and bake for 15-25 minutes, or until warmed through and bubbly. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the topping if desired.
• Reheating in the Microwave: While convenient, the microwave will soften the crisp topping. Heat individual servings for 30-60 seconds, or until warm. It’s perfect if you’re prioritizing speed over crispiness.

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

This Easy Apple Crisp is made with a cinnamon apple pie filling and is topped with a butter crumble topping (no oatmeal on this one!)

Ingredients

• 2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling
• 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold salted butter, cubed
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F degrees. Pour both cans of apple pie filling into an 8×8 baking dish.
2. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top of apple filling.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar and cubed butter.
4. Using a fork or pastry cutter, mix all ingredients until combined well, making sure to “cut” the butter into the mixture. It should look like little butter pebbles when it’s ready.
5. Stir in pecans.
6. Spread the topping mixture over the apple pie filling.
7. Put in the middle rack of the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. It should be light golden brown and bubbly.

Video Tutorial

Notes

TO MAKE THIS WITH FRESH APPLES:

Instead of the canned apple pie filling, you’ll need about 5 cups fresh apples (peeled and sliced), 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Combine these ingredients and place into baking dish. Then follow up with the topping recipe as written above.

Nutrition (Estimate per serving)

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Craving More Delicious Recipes?

If you loved this Easy Apple Crisp, you’re in for a treat! Our kitchen is always buzzing with delightful ideas, especially when it comes to comforting desserts and autumnal delights. Explore some of our other cherished recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings and expand your baking repertoire:

• Fresh Peach Crisp: Another fantastic fruit crisp variation, perfect for peach season.
• Crock Pot Apple Crisp: Enjoy the ease of a slow-cooker dessert with a warm vanilla sauce.
• Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting: A moist and flavorful cake, ideal for fall.
• 40 Best Fall Apple Recipes: A comprehensive collection for apple lovers.
• Apple Slab Pie: Perfect for feeding a crowd, a delicious twist on classic apple pie.
• Apple Dessert Pizza: A fun and creative way to enjoy apples.
• Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls: Two beloved desserts combined into one irresistible treat.
• Apple Pie Bread: A comforting quick bread infused with apple pie flavors.
• Apple Dumplings: Individual baked apples wrapped in pastry.