Description
This Irresistibly Good Apple Crisp features tart Granny Smith apples baked under a golden, crunchy oatmeal and walnut topping. The warm, spiced filling blends cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar for a perfectly balanced sweetness and aroma. Finished with a rich buttered oat topping, this cozy dessert is ideal served warm with vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Oatmeal Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped (can substitute with pecans)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
For the Apple Filling
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 medium tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, halved, and sliced
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oat topping: In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle in the melted butter and toss everything together until evenly mixed. Cover this oat mixture and refrigerate it while you prepare the apples, allowing flavors to meld and butter to slightly firm up.
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish: Position an oven rack to the lower-middle slot and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Toss the apple filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, remaining cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the peeled and sliced apples to the bowl and toss thoroughly until the apple pieces are well coated in the spiced sugar mixture, ensuring an even distribution of flavor.
- Assemble the crisp: Pour the apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute the chilled oat and walnut topping over the apples, covering them completely to form a thick, crunchy layer.
- Bake until golden and bubbly: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. The crisp is done when the fruit juices are bubbling through the topping and the surface is crisp, golden brown, and slightly caramelized.
- Cool and serve: Remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for about 15 minutes to set the juices. Serve warm, ideally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a luscious contrast.
Notes
- Choose tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness and provide a firm texture.
- Chilling the oat topping before baking helps it maintain a crunchy texture.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with additional oats.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream makes a perfect accompaniment.
