Best Apple Crisp

Sweet, fruity with a hint of lemony tang and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg this Apple Crisp is simply the best! What a delicious holiday dessert for fall, Christmas, and any day.

A few days ago our very kind neighbors gave us a bag of apples. They were quite a lot and we knew we wouldn’t be able to eat it all of it in one go so I had to think of other ways to enjoy these juicy apples.

I have made several recipes using apples before and didn’t fancy simply re-creating them. I was suddenly in the mood for doing something I hadn’t done yet.

I know that my little boy is crazy about apple crisp and a lady from our church makes the tastiest and most amazing apple crisp – the best I have tried.

When she brought over her apple crisp for our ladies’ fellowship I asked her what she added in her recipe that made it so fresh and truly flavorful.

She kindly told me she used fresh lemon juice and a combo of cinnamon and nutmeg. The best part for me was that her recipe was also completely gluten-free which means my whole family could enjoy it as one of us is trying to do a more wheat-free diet.

And so I set to re-create her amazing apple crisp and I believe I did it – well, the measurement may not be exactly the same but the delicious sweet-tangy flavors are certainly there!

For the apples, I sometimes cut them in chunks or I simply slice them as you can see from the first image. How you like your apple cut is up to you. I fancy some crunch on the apples as I bite them (don’t like mushy!) so I don’t make them too small.

What I did was really use a lot of lemon juice. While other recipes called for perhaps just a little tiny bit of lemon juice if at all, I used the juice of an entire lemon (quite smallish) or roughly 2 tablespoons at least. I also upped the cinnamon to 2 teaspoons and used 1/2 a teaspoon of nutmeg.

I know this amount may seem a lot for just 4 apples but trust me, once it’s all baked and done – the flavors just truly sing especially when you enjoy the crisp with a little cream (I prefer this!) or ice cream.

What a delicious contrast of flavors and because the apples are strongly flavored – it doesn’t get lost in the ice cream – it’s still quite prominent and so yummy!

Instead of simply layering the oat mixture on top of the apples, I gently mix the topping and filling here and there (see photo above) – not entirely.

This is to ensure the apples don’t get too gooey or mushy when baked. But, this is a matter of style so it’s totally optional. You can simply just dump the oat topping on top of the apples and be done with it.

The result is a delicious apple crisp that not only has the signature crunch but is truly full of flavors – sweet, fruity with a hint of lemony tang, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, too.

You definitely must enjoy this warm and drizzled on top with either some pouring (heavy) cream or ice cream! Pure heaven!

If you like what you see and would like to receive new recipe updates, we’d love you to subscribe to our posts or join our site. Needless to say, we’d love you to like us on Facebook and Instagram, too where you can get more recipes and updates. Thanks and happy browsing!

Sweet, fruity with a hint of lemony tang and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg this Apple Crisp is simply the best! Completely gluten-free, too.

By: Manila Spoon

November 4, 2015

FOR FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS and to PRINT, SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW

NOTES ON INGREDIENTS for Best Apple Crisp

  • Granny Smith or other tart apples – peeled, cored and chopped into small pieces
  • Honey – or your favorite liquid sweetener
  • Freshly squeezed Lemon juice (or juice of one small lemon) plus its zest
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Ground Nutmeg
  • Gluten-free old-fashioned Oats
  • Almond meal – use this if doing gluten-free or simply use all-purpose regular or gluten-free flour
  • Almonds – for extra crunch and texture – pre-toasted if possible
  • Brown Sugar
  • Butter – salted or unsalted is fine, melted

HOW TO MAKE THE Best Apple Crisp

Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). In a bowl, mix together the apples, honey, lemon juice and zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer to a square baking dish (like a 9×9).

In the same bowl, mix together the oats, almond meal, sliced almonds, brown sugar, and melted butter.

Evenly sprinkle the oat mixture on top of the apples. Gently mix the topping with the apple filling, if desired. I do the latter as I want chunky rather than gooey apples.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly and nicely browned on top and the apples have softened. Serve warm with a little pouring (heavy) cream or if feeling indulgent, your favorite vanilla ice cream! For me, the cream or ice cream should not be optional so just do it!!!

Yield: 6-8 Servings
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: 35-45 Minutes
Total Time: 50-60 Minutes

Best Apple Crisp Story Poster Image

Best Apple Crisp

Manila Spoon
Sweet, fruity with a hint of lemony tang and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg this Apple Crisp is simply the best! Completely gluten-free, too.
5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 4 large Granny Smith or other tart apples 5 if using smalled apples, peeled, cored and sliced or chopped into chunks
  • cup Honey or your favorite sweetener
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed Lemon juice or juice of one small lemon plus its zest or juice of one small lemon plus its zest
  • 2 tsp ground Cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground Nutmeg
  • 1 cup gluten-free old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup Almond meal or all purpose regular or gluten-free flour, (use regular flour if not into the gluten-free diet)
  • ½ cup sliced Almonds
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar
  • 6 tbsp Butter, melted (salted or unsalted is fine)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). In a bowl, mix together the apples, honey, lemon juice and zest, cinnamon and nutmeg. Transfer to a square baking dish (like a 9×9).
  • In the same bowl, mix together the oats, almond meal and sliced almonds, brown sugar and the melted butter.
  • Evenly sprinkle the oat mixture on top of the apples. Gently mix the topping with the apple filling, if desired. I do the latter as I want chunky rather than goeey apples.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly and nicely browned on top and the apples have softened. Serve warm with a little pouring (heavy) cream or if feeling indulgent, your favorite vanilla ice cream! For me, the cream or ice cream should not be optional so just do it!!!

Notes

TIPS & TRICKS
How you like your apples cut is up to you. I fancy some crunch on the apples as I bite them (don’t like mushy!) so I don’t make them smaller than the chunks you see in the photos. Apple slices also retain much of their shape during baking so you end up with a nice-looking apple crisp.
If you’re not on a gluten-free diet, simply use regular flour with the oatmeal. 

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 74mgPotassium: 219mgFiber: 4gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 313IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
Keyword apple crisp with oats, best apple crisp, best apple crisp recipe, easy apple crumble, gluten-free apple crisp, gluten-free apple crumble, healthy apple crisp
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Last updated on September 12th, 2023 at 04:15 pm

Follow:

28 Comments

  1. November 5, 2015 / 4:28 am

    I LOVE the idea of a lot of lemon – such a bright flavor! this sounds fantastic!

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:34 pm

      It surely adds zing and yummy-ness to the dish. Thanks Kristina!

  2. November 5, 2015 / 11:07 am

    I love a good apple crisp! It is always nice to have something Gluten Free too.

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:37 pm

      You won't miss the flour here Mirlandra. Thanks!

  3. November 5, 2015 / 1:42 pm

    This is hands down my favourite dessert at this time of year. It's so comforting, and I can convince myself that it is healthy, as it has fruit in it 😉

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:38 pm

      Well, this one is gluten-free and uses honey, too so that should make it healthy, right? 🙂

  4. November 5, 2015 / 3:58 pm

    We all love apple crisp here! I probably make it once a week during the winter but I have never used honey. Can't wait to try it with honey!

  5. November 5, 2015 / 5:35 pm

    Dear Abigail, this apple crisp is my idea of a perfect dessert. Light and delicious…I love fruit desserts best. xo, Catherine

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:39 pm

      I concur with you Catherine, fruity desserts are the best!

  6. November 5, 2015 / 10:25 pm

    Ottimo dessert!
    Profumato e croccante 🙂

  7. November 6, 2015 / 2:02 am

    I love apple crisp and I am so excited that the apples are ripe for the picking! This is great for my church dinner because it's simple and I can make a bunch of them!

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:39 pm

      Wonderful Jennifer! Hope you all love it!

  8. November 6, 2015 / 2:16 pm

    Fall flavored fruit crisps like this are one of my favorite desserts.

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:40 pm

      True Becca! One good reason to love fall!

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:40 pm

      So true Kirsten and it's because they're tried and tested! Thanks!

  9. November 6, 2015 / 4:10 pm

    I love, love apple crisp and now must try your more lemony version!!! Beautifully done!

  10. November 6, 2015 / 7:20 pm

    The perfect fall dessert! I haven't made an apple crisp yet – may just have to start with this recipe, looks amazing!

    • November 6, 2015 / 8:41 pm

      Thanks, Chrisy and hope you enjoy it!

  11. November 6, 2015 / 11:36 pm

    I love trying new recipes for apple crisp, this sounds wonderful, and so nice to have a gluten-free option!

  12. November 7, 2015 / 3:54 am

    Apple crisp is one of my all-time favorite desserts and this looks fabulous, love the addition of the almond meal!

  13. November 7, 2015 / 5:23 am

    I love apple crisps! I made one myself recently but I'll have to give yours a try!

  14. November 7, 2015 / 5:10 pm

    Gorgeous apple crisp Abby, I would love to try this recipe — it looks wonderful!!! The perfect fall dessert….

  15. November 21, 2015 / 8:00 pm

    It's been a while since I made a fruit crisp. This one looks like a winner. And gluten free is a plus!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating