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Apple Crisp is the perfect Fall dessert and easy to make, too! Cinnamon baked apples and mouth-watering, buttery streusel topping make this the most delicious apple crisp recipe you will ever try.
My family loves this old-fashioned apple crisp recipe. We make this version, inspired by hers, over and over! It’s so easy and full of scrumptious apple cinnamon flavor.
When Fall comes around, you can always smell apples and pumpkin flavors coming from my kitchen. This recipe along with Starbucks Pumpkin Bread are staples at our home this time of year!
Jump to:
- Ina Garten Apple Crisp
- Apple Crisp Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Apple Crisp
- How to Make Apple Crisp Topping
- How to Bake Apple Crisp
- Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe Tips
- Apple Crisp Recipes FAQs
- Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
- How to Serve Apple Crisp
- How to Store Apple Crisp
- Best Apple Recipes
- Ina Garten Recipes
- 📋 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
Ina Garten Apple Crisp
I love Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa. She is one of our cooking idols and inspires many of our recipes. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to try her take on this dish. It’s a classic Ina Garten recipe: rustic, yet classy at the same time. And, of course, it’s totally mouthwatering!
This homemade apple crisp will quickly become one of your favorite easy dessert recipes. It’s one of the easiest apple desserts you will ever make.
- It’s easy: Peel and cut your apples, make the streusel topping, then put it all together in a baking dish and bake. It’s so easy!
- It’s over-the-top delicious: Serve it with ice cream and butterscotch sauce, and it becomes a culinary masterpiece.
- The addition of orange and lemon zest also gives this old-fashioned apple crisp a bright and vibrant flavor. It’s unlike any we’ve tried before, and we found it to be a lovely change!
- It’s easy to make ahead of time: Ina Garten Apple Crisp is a perfect make-ahead dessert and brunch recipe over the holidays!
There’s just something about the buttery, bubbling, syrupy baked cinnamon apples that takes this recipe over the top!
I’ve made dozens of apple crisp recipes over the years, but this one….ahhhhh….this one tops them all! So delicious!
Karyn on Pinterest
Apple Crisp Recipe Ingredients
- McIntosh apples or Macoun apples
- zest of 1 lemon
- lemon juice
- 1 orange
- orange juice
- granulated sugar
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
Apple Crisp Topping Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar
- oatmeal
- butter diced and chilled
- kosher salt
How to Make Apple Crisp
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 13×9-inch cake pan.
- McIntosh or Macoun apples.
- Cut the apples into ½-inch wedges or chunks and place them into a large bowl.
- Zest lemon and add to the apples along with lemon juice.
- Zest orange and add to the apples along with orange juice.
- Add granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the apples.
- Stir the apples until they are completely coated in the sugar, spices, and citrus.
How to Make Apple Crisp Topping
- Dice the cold butter and add to a mixing bowl.
- Add all-purpose flour, sugar, ¾ brown sugar, oats, and kosher salt to the bowl.
- Mix using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer until the mixture is the size of small peas.
- Work with your hands after mixing if necessary.
- Pour the apples into the buttered pan and spread evenly across the bottom.
- Pour the streusel topping on top of the apples and coat them evenly.
How to Bake Apple Crisp
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour. The top should get golden brown and the apples bubbly.
- Remove pan from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with ice cream, and enjoy!
Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe Tips
- Want to cut back on the butter and sugar? You can cut both quantities in half and you will still have a delicious apple dessert.
- When I am working on the crumb topping, I like to use my hands to make the crumble stick a bit better. I find this makes the best crumb topping.
- Always use the juice at the bottom of the dish as a topping. It is an amazing addition to top the ice cream. Trust me on this!
- Make sure to dice the butter before adding it to the mixer. You will have a big mess if you add butter whole.
- Every oven is a bit different. Make sure to check your crisp a little before the stated time to make sure it doesn’t get overdone.
Apple Crisp Recipes FAQs
It is a delicious dessert consisting of freshly baked cinnamon apples with a buttery streusel topping. Crisps can be made with lots of different fruits. They are amazing.
The best apples for apple crisp are McIntosh, Macoun, or Gala apples. You can also use other apples but the texture of these apples makes this dessert amazing.
Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
Some people prefer an apple crisp recipe without oats. Simply eliminate the oats in this recipe and it will still be delicious with a toasted sugar topping.
If you’ve never had it with oats, we recommend giving it a try! The oats add a lovely crunch.
If you don’t have the time to make this easy dessert, I have the perfect solution. You can make my delicious Apple Crisp Recipe in the Instant Pot, too! Try it here: Instant Pot Apple Crisp. I know you will love it!
How to Serve Apple Crisp
I recommend serving this dessert while it’s still warm. I find it delicious on its own, but a scoop of whipped cream or ice cream takes it over the top!
If you really want to blow everyone’s mind, add some butterscotch sauce or salted caramel sauce. But honestly, using the juice from the apples at the bottom of the dish is our favorite way to serve it.
How to Store Apple Crisp
We recommend storing it in the refrigerator. If you have any leftovers, that is! All you have to do is place a paper towel over the dish to absorb any moisture the refrigerator may create.
You can reheat in the oven for approximately 5-8 minutes at 300°F when ready to eat. It will be just as delicious as the day you made it!
Best Apple Recipes
- Apple Dump Cake with Fresh Apples
- Caramel Apple Empanadas
- Puff Pastry Apple Tart
- Deep Dish Apple Pie
- Sliced Baked Apples
- How to Make Candied Apples
Ina Garten Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating below to let us know what you think! We love to hear from you!
📋 Recipe
Ina Garten Apple Crisp Recipe
Equipment
- Knife to peel and chop apples
- Two glass bowls to mix ingredients
- Electric mixer or stand mixer to mix streusel topping
- A 9 x 14 x 2-inch oval baking dish or a 9 x 13-inch cake pan
Ingredients
- 5 lbs. McIntosh apples or Macoun apples
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- zest of 1 orange
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ packed cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup oatmeal
- ½ lb. butter diced and chilled
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!
Instructions
Preparing the Apples
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 x 14 x 2-inch oval baking dish or a 9 x 13-inch cake pan. Peel 5 lbs. McIntosh or Macoun apples. Cut the apples into wedges or large chunks and place into a large bowl.
- Zest 1 lemon and add to the apples along with 2 Tbsp. lemon juice. Zest 1 orange and add to the apples along with 2 Tbsp. orange juice.Add ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp. cinnamon, and 1 tsp. nutmeg to the apples.
- Stir the apples until they are completely coated in the sugar, spices, and citrus.
Creating the Streusel Topping
- Dice ½ lb. (2 sticks) of cold butter and add to a mixing bowl. Add 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup sugar, ¾ packed cup light brown sugar, 1 cup oats, and ½ tsp. kosher salt to the bowl.
- Mix using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer until the mixture is the size of small peas.
- Work with your hands after mixing if necessary.
- Pour the apples into the buttered pan and spread evenly across the bottom.
- Pour the streusel topping on top of the apples and coat them evenly.
Baking
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour. The top should get golden brown and the apples bubbly. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with ice cream, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make sure to dice the butter before adding it to the mixer. You will have a big mess if you add butter whole.
- Every oven is a bit different. Make sure to check your apple crisp a little before the stated time to make sure it doesn’t get overdone.Â
Nutrition
This recipe was adapted from Barefoot Contessa’s Old Fashioned Apple Crisp.
Lindsay says
Do you use old fashioned rolled oats or quick oats for this?
Em Beitel says
Hi Lindsay! We use old fashioned oats. Thank you for your question, and enjoy!
Benni says
I just finished making this. It took 2.5 hrs start to finish. The “20 min prep time” should say “20 min to clean up” instead. Just washing, peeling, coring & dicing took a half hour. That being said, it is very good. I left out the zest b/c I didn’t have organic fruit & I used Einkorn flour. I ended up mixing the crumb topping with my hands b/c it stuck to the insides of the mixing paddle which was just something else to wash. I would have given it 5 stars if the prep time hadn’t been ridiculous. It really needs to be adjusted so unsuspecting bakers can allow enough time.
Em Beitel says
Hi, Benni! We greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback. We’re very glad you enjoyed the recipe and are always open to suggestions. Thank you so much for your comment!
Margie says
I would like to know if I can freeze the apple crisp before and after II make this recipe?
Em Beitel says
Margie, absolutely! Let it cool to room temperature first, then cover it with a layer of plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator when ready to eat and bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, about 20 minutes. Enjoy, and thank you for your question!
Drew Hoffman says
I LOOOOOVE THIS APPLE CRISP RECIPE!!! I found it easy to prep and the whole shabang was wonderful. I used MacIntosh and Pink Lady Apples and cut wedges instead of cubing the little suckers.They are a great combination.
However…I cannot stand rolled oats in my Streusel Topping so I left out the and added about a half cup of caramelized and seasoned Pecans and just chopped them up.
I live in sprawling Seniors Apartment building that was originally built a Girl’s Academy and I quadrupled your recipe and baked them in 2 quart glass casseroles and passed them out to my friends here at the complex.RAVE REVIEWS ALL AROUND!!!
I now bake Apple Crisps every week since this past Thanksgiving.
I have to do this because my friends and other residents started bringing me baking dishes and Apples every week now.Today I have 50 pounds of assorted apple varieties and I enlist some of my friends to peel and core the Apples.
If this keeps up I really will need to buy a couple of huge commercial mixing bow lol s and an apple peeler and corer. I’m hoping to find a vintage 20 quart crockery bowl like we had when I was but a wee boy. Yard and estate sales are in my future!!!
Thanks again for the awesome recipe and for all the recipes you put out….and many,many thanks to Ina….the Queen of the Range!!!
Happy New Year!!!
Em Beitel says
That is incredible, Drew! We’re so glad everyone enjoyed it and that you’re getting so much mileage out of this recipe! It is one of our all-time favorites. Happy New Year to you, too!
Andrea Gairani says
Wonderful recipe! Had my parents over for dinner and we all gobbled it down! Changed 2 things to make healthier: 1. Just do a quick peel of apples, leaving most of it on. This saved time too. 2. Used monk fruit (natural sweetener) instead of regular sugar in both apple mix and streusel. Still plenty of caloric sugar in here with the brown sugar and OJ. . . you cannot tell at all!
Em Beitel says
That is so awesome to hear, Andrea! We’re so glad you all enjoyed it!
char says
looks delicious ! Can anyone tell me how many apples they used for the 5 pounds ?
Em Beitel says
Hi Char! Ultimately it depends on the size of the apple, but I would say about 11 to 12 average-sized apples would make about 5 lbs. Enjoy, and thank you!
Lita says
Even my sister that is very picky loved this and even took some home!!!!
Em Beitel says
Lita, that’s awesome to hear! Thank you so much for your comment, we’re glad everyone enjoyed it!