Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (Cinnamon Oat Topping)

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This easy Apple Crisp is the ultimate fall dessert—made with cinnamon-spiced apples, honey, and a golden oat topping. It’s cozy, lightly sweetened, and perfect for apple-picking season.

Apple Crisp Recipe with Oats

Apple crisp is one of those desserts I can never resist, so I set out to make a version that feels a little lighter but still cozy and satisfying. This recipe skips the heavy sugar load in favor of honey and raisins, and I use plenty of oats for fiber and texture. It’s simple, wholesome, and the kind of dessert you can enjoy warm from the oven on a chilly fall night. If you’re looking for more ways to use up apples, try my Apple Cobbler (a softer, biscuit-topped version), homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter (perfect for spreading on toast or stirring into yogurt), or this Slow Cooker Apple Sauce (hands-off and kid-friendly).

Why This Works

Every fall, after apple picking with my family, I always bake a crisp first. Over the years I’ve tested countless variations—different sweeteners, oats or no oats, butter vs coconut oil—and this version is the one I keep coming back to. It’s lightly sweetened with honey, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, and topped with a golden oat crumble that makes the house smell incredible as it bakes.

• Simple ingredients: pantry staples + fresh apples.
• Healthier twist: lightly sweetened with honey and raisins, plus fiber-rich oats.
• Crowd-pleaser: warm, cozy flavors everyone loves.
• Make-ahead friendly: keeps well for days or freezes beautifully.

Whether you just went apple picking or picked up a bag from the store, this apple crisp is the perfect way to use them. There’s nothing like the smell of apples and cinnamon baking on a chilly fall day!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the ingredients to make this easy apple crisp recipe. See recipe card below for measurements.

For the filling:

• Apples – I use Honeycrisp or Gala for natural sweetness.
• Raisins – add texture and subtle sweetness (optional, but I highly recommend).
• Cinnamon – warm spice that makes it classic.
• Lemon juice – balances sweetness.
• Cornstarch – thickens the juices.
• Honey – natural sweetener.

For the topping:

• Oats – use quick oats, old fashion oats or gluten-free oats for a golden, crisp texture.
• Brown sugar – (just a little!) for caramel-like flavor.
• Cinnamon – ties the flavor together.
• Butter – melted for richness (swap with coconut oil for dairy-free).

Best way to eat an apple crisp, in my opinion is warm topped with a very small scoop (about 1/4 cup) of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, if you desire (my favorite way to eat it!). It’s totally optional, and will add more calories.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Apple Crisp

Here’s the step-by-step directions for this easy apple crisp. See recipe card below for print-friendly directions.

Mix the filling.

Make the crisp topping.

1. Prep the oven: Heat to 350°F.
2. Mix the filling: Toss apples with raisins, cinnamon, lemon juice, honey, and cornstarch. Spread into a baking dish and pre-bake 15 minutes.
3. Make the topping: Stir oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
4. Bake: Sprinkle topping over apples. Bake 1 hour, until topping is golden and apples are tender.

Variations & Tips

Best Apples for Apple Crisp

The best answer: any apple you enjoy eating!

• Sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Golden Delicious mean you can use less sugar.
• Tart apples like Granny Smith give a tangy balance. A mix of both often makes the best flavor and texture.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

How long does apple crisp last?
At room temperature, apple crisp will keep 1–2 days. Refrigerated, it lasts up to a week, and you can also freeze it for 3–4 months.

What’s the best way to reheat it?
Bake at 300°F until warmed through, or microwave individual servings for a quick option.

Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the filling and topping separately, keep them refrigerated, then put it all together and bake when you’re ready.

How to Serve Apple Crisp

The classic way: warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Other options:

• Frozen yogurt or whipped cream.
• Plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, higher-protein topping.
• Drizzle with caramel for extra indulgence.

More Apple Dessert Recipes

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 2 /3 cup

Cook Mode

• Heat oven to 350F degrees.

• Combine apples, raisins, cinnamon, honey and lemon juice in large bowl.

• Sprinkle with cornstarch. Toss until fruit is coated.

• Place fruit in an ungreased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove from the oven.

• Mix the remaining topping ingredients. Sprinkle over fruit.

• Bake about 60 minutes or until topping is golden brown and fruit is tender.

Last Step:

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Variations & Tips

• Skip the raisins if you’re not a fan.
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
• Use maple syrup instead of honey.
• Make it gluten-free with certified GF oats.
• Make it dairy-free by swapping butter for coconut oil or vegan butter.
• For a similar dessert with a tangy edge, try my Apple Cranberry Crumble
  You can swap in pears, strawberries, peaches or berries. I also have a Peach Blueberry Crisp, Triple Berry Crisp, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp and Oat-Free Strawberry Crisp you might love.

Ways To Serve

The classic way is warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Other options:

• Frozen yogurt or whipped cream.
• Plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, higher-protein topping.
• Drizzle with caramel for extra indulgence.

Serving: 2 /3 cup, Calories: 207 kcal, Carbohydrates: 44 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 4.5 g, Saturated Fat: 2.5 g, Cholesterol: 10 mg, Sodium: 4.5 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 30 g

Photo credit: Jess Larson