Classic Apple Cinnamon Crisp
Warm baked apple slices topped with a crunchy cinnamon oat topping, perfect for a comforting homemade dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes pairs peeled and sliced medium tart apples, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 5, peeled and sliced medium tart apples
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, toss 5 peeled and sliced medium tart apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Transfer the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Step 4: In another bowl, combine 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1/3 cup cold cubed unsalted butter.
- Step 5: Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 6: Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples.
- Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly and tender.
- Step 8: Let cool slightly before serving warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Apple Cinnamon Crisp take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Classic Apple Cinnamon Crisp?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep granulated sugar from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Apple Cinnamon Crisp?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic Apple Cinnamon Crisp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic Apple Cinnamon Crisp?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
