As the crisp autumn air arrives and leaves begin to turn, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm apple crisp fresh from the oven. This baked cinnamon apple crisp is peak cozy season bliss in dessert form! Tart apples coated in a cinnamon-sugar syrup are baked until tender, then topped with a crispy, buttery oat streusel topping that forms addictive crunch with every bite. Whether you enjoy it for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a sweet breakfast treat, this easy apple crisp is sure to become a fall favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Crisp
- Warm, gooey baked cinnamon-spiced apples
- Crispy, buttery oat topping with hints of brown sugar
- Easy, fuss-free recipe that’s perfect for fall baking
- Cozy dessert or breakfast treat for chilly mornings
- Fills your home with the irresistible aroma of apples and cinnamon
- Perfect make-ahead dish for holiday gatherings
Key Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- Granny Smith apples (or other baking apples like Honeycrisp)
- Granulated sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon
- Lemon juice
For the Oat Streusel Topping:
- Old-fashioned oats
- Brown sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Cold unsalted butter
How to Make Baked Cinnamon Apple Crisp
Preparing the Apple Filling
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch baking dish or cast iron skillet.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4-inch thick wedges.
- In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with the granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice until evenly coated.
- Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Making the Oat Streusel Topping
- In another bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
- Use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut in the cold butter until it forms pea-sized crumbs.
- Sprinkle the oat crumble evenly over the top of the apples in the baking dish.
Baking the Apple Crisp
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving warm.
Serving and Customizing Your Apple Crisp
This baked cinnamon apple crisp is absolutely heavenly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. But the cozy treat is equally delicious on its own for breakfast or an anytime snack!
Feel free to customize and switch up your favorite mix-ins:
- Try different baking apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping
- Sprinkle in dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates
- Top with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra decadent touch
- Bake in individual ramekins for built-in portion control
Tips for the Best Apple Crisp
- Use a mix of apple varieties for the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t overmix or overwork the streusel topping.
- Arrange the apple slices in an even layer for consistent baking.
- For extra richness, brush the baking dish with melted butter before adding the filling.
- Bake until the filling is visibly bubbling and the topping is deeply golden brown.
- Don’t skip the lemon juice – it adds brightness and prevents the apples from browning.
- Make it ahead and reheat portions as needed for easy breakfasts or desserts.
No matter how you customize it, this baked cinnamon apple crisp is the quintessential fall dessert. There’s something so comforting about the aroma of baked apples and cinnamon wafting through the kitchen. As soon as the cooler weather arrives, you’ll want to keep this apple crisp recipe on regular rotation!
Scoop up spoonfuls of the gooey filling loaded with warm spiced apples, then get plenty of that crispy, buttery streusel topping in each bite. It will remind you of visiting the apple orchard on a crisp autumn day or dunking cinnamon donuts into steaming mugs of apple cider. Cozy sweater weather has arrived, and that calls for indulging in this homestyle apple dessert!
This easy apple crisp recipe is also perfect for holiday gatherings and celebrations throughout the fall season. Bake up a big batch and portion it out into smaller baking dishes. Reheat servings whenever the craving strikes for a piping hot, cinnamon-laced treat straight from the oven. No matter if you’re hosting a crowd for Thanksgiving or just looking to treat yourself to a taste of autumn, this cinnamon apple crisp with its crispy golden topping and sweet baked apples is sure to hit the spot.
Apple Crisp Variations to Try
While the classic apple and cinnamon combination will forever reign supreme, don’t be afraid to change things up. This versatile crisp recipe lends itself to endless customizations!
- Swap the white sugar for brown sugar in the apple mixture
- Use pears or a mix of apples and pears for the filling
- Add a sprinkle of rolled oats or chopped nuts to the streusel
- Dust the top with a cinnamon-sugar mix before baking
- Replace some of the butter with melted coconut oil for a dairy-free crisp
- Get creative with spices like ginger, cardamom, or nutmeg
The possibilities are endless when it comes to putting your own spin on this beloved fall treat. No matter how you bake it, make sure to welcome cozy season with a pan of this warm, cinnamon-spiced baked apple crisp. Few desserts capture the flavors of autumn so deliciously or fill the house with such an intoxicating aroma. Grab a spoon, top it with a scoop of melty vanilla ice cream, and settle in for pure comfort food bliss.