Name: Apple Crisp: Easy Thanksgiving Dessert With Oat Topping
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced; 1/3 cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 cup almond flour; 1/2 cup coconut sugar or another granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed; 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

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Warm, cozy, and easy to make, this Apple Crisp features tender cinnamon-maple apples beneath a buttery oat crumble. It’s a comforting fall dessert and an easy Thanksgiving recipe that can be served warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp brings everything I want to the Thanksgiving table. The apples turn soft and juicy, while the cinnamon and maple syrup fill the kitchen with that unmistakable fall aroma.
Also, the oat topping adds buttery crunch and lightly caramel-like flavor. Better yet, this recipe takes only 20 minutes to prep and serves six.

Apple Crisp Ingredients

You need simple baking ingredients for this Apple Crisp. Together, they create a tender fruit layer and a crisp, crumbly topping.

Ingredients for the Apple Filling

Use 8 Granny Smith apples, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Ingredients for the Oat Crumble Topping

For the topping, use 1 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup coconut sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter, and 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats.

Best Apples for Apple Crisp

Granny Smith apples work especially well because their tart flavor balances the sweet topping. Also, their firm texture helps the slices hold their shape as they bake.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

You can swap cornstarch for arrowroot flour. Likewise, regular flour can replace almond flour, while another granulated sugar can replace coconut sugar.
Also, quick-cooking oats work when rolled oats are unavailable. For a dairy-free Apple Crisp, use vegan butter. Alternatively, use ghee if you tolerate it.

Apple Crisp ingredients with Granny Smith apples, oats, butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and almond flour — Simple Apple Crisp ingredients with Granny Smith apples, oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a buttery crumble topping.

How to Make Apple Crisp

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Then, grab a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and two mixing bowls.

Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and slice all 8 apples. Try to keep the slices fairly even so they cook at a similar rate.

Make the Apple Filling

Next, toss the apples with maple syrup, arrowroot flour, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture coats every slice.

Make the Oat Crumble Topping

Meanwhile, combine the almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Then, work in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until crumbs form.
Next, stir in the rolled oats. Keep some larger buttery crumbs because they add great texture.

Assemble the Apple Crisp

Spread the apple mixture evenly in your baking dish. Then, scatter the oat mixture across the apples without pressing it down.

Bake Until Golden and Tender

Bake the Apple Crisp for 45 to 50 minutes. The topping should look golden, while the apples should feel tender when you test them with a knife.

Apple Crisp filling with Granny Smith apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, and arrowroot flour — Granny Smith apples with maple syrup, cinnamon, and arrowroot ready for Apple Crisp.

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

A few small details make a noticeable difference. In particular, focus on apple texture, cold butter, and baking time.

Keep the Apples Tender Without Making Them Mushy

Choose firm Granny Smith apples and slice them evenly. Also, start checking the fruit near the 45-minute mark so it stays tender instead of turning overly soft.

How to Get a Crisp, Crumbly Topping

Keep your butter cold until you mix the topping. Then, work it into the flour just until you get coarse crumbs.
Also, avoid packing the topping tightly over the fruit. A loose layer gives the oats more room to brown.

How to Tell When Apple Crisp Is Done

Look for a golden topping and tender apples. In addition, you should see bubbling juices around the edges of the baking dish.

Make-Ahead Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving oven space gets crowded quickly. Fortunately, you can handle part of this Apple Crisp ahead of time.

Prepare the Topping Ahead of Time

Mix the topping ahead, then place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. As a result, you can assemble the dessert faster when you need it.

When to Slice and Assemble the Apples

Slice the apples shortly before assembly. This keeps browning to a minimum and helps preserve their fresh texture.

What to Serve With Apple Crisp

Serve Apple Crisp warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold, creamy ice cream melts into the cinnamon-maple juices, which makes every spoonful extra comforting.
Alternatively, add whipped cream or pour warm custard over each serving. For more recipe ideas and kitchen inspiration, you can also follow Kai Recipes on Pinterest and Kai Recipes on Facebook.

How to Store and Reheat Apple Crisp

This dessert stores well, so those Thanksgiving leftovers can become a very welcome treat the next day.

Refrigerating Leftover Apple Crisp

Cover leftovers or place them in an airtight container. Then, refrigerate them for 4 to 5 days.

How to Freeze Apple Crisp

First, cool the Apple Crisp fully. Next, place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
However, freezing can soften the topping and change the apple texture slightly.

The Best Way to Reheat Apple Crisp

Reheat the crisp at 350°F (180°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. This method helps bring back some crunch.
Alternatively, microwave individual servings in 30-second intervals until hot.

Apple Crisp FAQs

What is the secret to a good apple crisp?

Start with tart, firm apples and keep the butter cold for the topping. Also, avoid overbaking the fruit. These simple steps give Apple Crisp tender apples and a crumbly, golden oat layer.

What is the difference between apple crisp and crumble?

The names often overlap, but an apple crisp commonly includes oats in its topping. Meanwhile, a crumble traditionally uses a flour, sugar, and butter topping without oats.

What ingredients are needed for apple crisp?

This recipe uses Granny Smith apples, maple syrup, arrowroot flour or cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon for the filling. Then, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, salt, butter, and rolled oats create the topping.

What are common apple crisp mistakes?

Common mistakes include choosing apples that soften too quickly, using warm butter, slicing apples unevenly, and baking too long. Also, pressing down the topping can keep it from developing that loose, crumbly texture.

Warm Apple Crisp with cinnamon apples, crunchy oat topping, and vanilla ice cream — Warm Apple Crisp topped with creamy vanilla ice cream and a crisp cinnamon oat crumble.

More Such Recipes

If you have extra apples or simply love warm fruit desserts, try these next:

Final Thoughts

This Apple Crisp gives you tender cinnamon-maple apples, buttery oats, and warm fall flavor without complicated steps. Plus, you can prepare the topping ahead, which makes Thanksgiving cooking a little easier.
Serve it warm from the oven with ice cream, whipped cream, or custard. Then, enjoy that first spoonful while the topping still has its lovely crunch.
Recipe Details: Yield: 6 servings | Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 50 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes | Baking dish: 9 x 13 inches
Nutrition per serving: 524 calories; 73 g carbohydrates; 7 g protein; 26 g fat; 11 g saturated fat; 1 g polyunsaturated fat; 4 g monounsaturated fat; 1 g trans fat; 41 mg cholesterol; 130 mg sodium; 360 mg potassium; 10 g fiber; 46 g sugar; 606 IU vitamin A; 12 mg vitamin C; 92 mg calcium; 2 mg iron.

Apple Crisp Recipe : Easy Thanksgiving Dessert With Oat Topping

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