Apple Crisp with Oat Topping

This Easy Apple Crisp with Oat Topping is a fantastic dessert idea for fall entertaining, or for Thanksgiving too. You’ll love the warm, syrupy apples that get a head start on the stovetop before baking in the oven—and the crunchy oat topping has a wonderful caramelized crunch thanks to toffee bits added to the oats.

Looking for a summertime crisp? Try my Plum Crumble or my Blackberry Crumble. Both are equally easy and delicious! 

Ingredients:

• Sliced Apples: I use Gala apples because they are already sweet. Since this recipe only takes 30-35 minutes to bake, it’s better to use an apple that doesn’t need to bake for over an hour to soften or sweeten.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a nice tartness to the apple mixture and provides a little liquid to enhance the syrupiness of the apple filling.
• White Sugar: You’ll need white sugar for both the crisp topping and the apple filling.
• Brown Sugar: Is also added to both the apple filling and the topping. The molasses in the brown sugar adds additional flavor and syrupiness.
• Cornstarch: I prefer cornstarch over flour for thickening the apple filling, it creates a better syrupy texture.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: You could also use cinnamon but I love the depth of flavor it adds. No ready-made pumpkin pie spice? You can make your own with my homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe.
• Butter: If you live in the U.S.A., use Land O’ Lakes salted butter for the best flavor. Outside the U.S., use unsalted butter.
• Water: I add a little water before adding the oat topping and baking the apples to help the apple mixture absorb more liquid, creating a nice, syrupy texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: For the oatmeal topping, to give it a crumbly texture.
• Baking Powder: Will give your topping a little lift.
• Vanilla Extract: To give more flavor to the oat topping.
• Kosher Salt: To enhance all the flavors.
• Cinnamon: For extra spice to the topping.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: For a crunchy topping. Make sure you use old-fashioned oats, not quick-cooking oats, as they won’t work for this recipe. You can use up any additional oats in my Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
• Pecans: Added to the oat topping for a delicious buttery crunch. But you could also use walnuts if you prefer.
• Toffee Bits: Don’t skip the toffee bits; they add such a nice caramelized chewiness to the topping. I use the Heath brand of toffee bits. You can usually find them in any major grocery store next to the chocolate chips.

What’s the Difference Between Apple Crisp vs. Apple Crumble

Typically, an apple crisp recipe includes oatmeal in the topping, whereas a traditional crumble usually has only butter, flour, and sugar.

What Types of Apples are Best for Apple Crisp?

Personally, I think Gala apples are best for apple crisp because they are sweet and juicy! I use Galas for my French Apple Tart as well. They also cook up quicker than Granny Smiths, which I think are better reserved for apple pie.

Step#1: Slice the Apple

• This recipe calls for seven cups of apples, so I like to use an apple slicer to speed up the slicing.
• Be sure to leave the apples a bit chunky, more like a wedge than a slice.
• Don’t cut them as thin as you would for an apple pie, this will give your crisp a better texture.
• Add the apples to a large bowl. Then toss them together with some cornstarch, white sugar, lemon juice, and pumpkin pie spice.

Step #2: Simmer Apples in the Skillet

• Next, you’ll give your apples a head start in a skillet on your cooktop. This will help the apple mixture achieve a delicious, syrupy texture.
• The syrupy texture is really the hallmark of a great apple crisp.
• Let’s face it, apple crisp is really a topping for ice cream, so the more syrupy, the better!
• Once the butter has melted and the brown sugar is added, it will form a paste,and that’s when it’s time to add the apples.

Step #3: Make The Oat Topping 

• Start by whisking together the dry ingredients, then whisk in the melted butter.
• At this stage, you’ll have a crumbly paste that will resemble wet sand.
• Then stir in the oatmeal, pecans, and the toffee bits.
• Transfer the apple mixture to an oven-safe baking dish or a brownie pan.

Step #4: Add The Topping and Bake

Place the crisp in a preheated oven at 375°F for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the juices underneath are bubbling.

How To Reheat The Crisp

• You can thin the juices out and get them bubbling again with this simple trick.
• Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of water all over the top of the crisp.
• Then cover with aluminum foil and place in a 375°F oven for 15 minutes.
• Then remove the foil and continue baking for about 10 minutes more, or until the juices bubble up again.
• And let everyone dive in!

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