Old Fashioned Apple Crisp with Oat Topping

I’ll admit that I rarely use a recipe when making apple crisp. After years of baking, I usually peel a few apples, sprinkle in some cinnamon, mix up a crumb topping, and pop it into the oven at 350 degrees until it’s golden and bubbling.

This time, however, I wanted to try a slow cooker version. Since there are only two of us at home, the smaller batch size was appealing, and I was curious to see how it compared to the apple crisp I normally make by eye. The result was a warm, comforting dessert with tender cinnamon apples and a buttery oat topping that tasted every bit as cozy as my traditional version.

Whether you make it in the slow cooker or prefer to bake it in the oven, this Old Fashioned Apple Crisp with Oat Topping is an easy dessert that’s perfect for apple season, family dinners, and cool fall evenings.

Choosing the Best Apples

Apple crisp is all about the apples and the celebration of apple season. For the best flavor, I recommend using a combination of sweet and tart apples. Granny Smith apples add a pleasant tartness and hold their shape well during cooking, while sweeter varieties such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and McIntosh provide natural sweetness and excellent flavor. McIntosh apples soften more during baking, making them especially well suited for apple crisps, applesauce, and apple butter.

I generally avoid using Red Delicious apples for baking. They tend to release more juice as they cook, which can make the filling watery. Their softer texture also breaks down quickly, making them a better choice for eating fresh than for baking.

If you only have one variety on hand, don’t worry. This apple crisp recipe is very forgiving and will turn out delicious with almost any good baking apple.

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp with Oats Recipe

Ingredients

6 Medium Apples: A combination of Granny Smith and sweeter apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or McIntosh creates the best flavor.

2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to enhance the natural flavor of the apples.

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon: A classic spice that pairs perfectly with apples.

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth to the filling.

1 Cup Brown Sugar: Gives the oat topping a rich caramel flavor.

3/4 Cup Old Fashioned Oats: Creates the classic crisp texture. I don’t recommend quick oats for this recipe.

3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together.

1/2 Cup Butter, Cold and Cubed: Cold butter creates a crumbly topping with plenty of texture and flavor.

How to Make Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Lightly butter the inside of your baking dish. Whether you’re making this apple crisp in a slow cooker or a glass baking dish, this simple step helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup much easier.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

Peel, core, and slice the apples into a large mixing bowl.

In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk the ingredients together to evenly distribute the spices throughout the mixture. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the apples and toss until the slices are evenly coated.

Transfer the apple mixture to your prepared slow cooker or baking dish.

Step 3: Make the Oat Topping

In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, and flour. Add the cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles small peas.

Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the prepared apple mixture.

Step 4: Slow Cooker Instructions

Cover and cook on high for approximately 2 hours, or until the apples are tender and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker.

Let the apple crisp rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm on its own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Step 5: Oven Baked Instructions

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the oat topping is golden brown. If the topping begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the remaining baking time.

Allow the apple crisp to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Tips for the Best Apple Crisp

• Use a combination of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor.
• Grating the cold butter makes it much easier to mix into the oat topping. It can be a little messy on your fingers, but the smaller pieces blend beautifully into the dry ingredients and help keep the butter cold.
• Allow the apple crisp to rest before serving. The filling will be extremely hot straight from the slow cooker or oven, and resting gives the juices time to thicken before serving.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

People often have strong opinions about how apple crisp should be served. I prefer mine warm because it brings out the cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttery oat topping. My oldest son, however, enjoys his apple crisp straight from the refrigerator. In our house, it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

When my boys were teenagers, I used to make apple crisp and rhubarb crisp in large turkey roasters because they could never seem to get enough, especially during football season. Leftovers were rare in those days. Now that I’m cooking for just two people, I appreciate having a smaller batch recipe that still delivers all the same homemade flavor.

If you enjoy warm apple crisp, reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds or warm the baking dish in a 325 degree oven until heated through.

More Apple Recipes to Try

If you’re enjoying apple season, here are some other recipes you may want to try.