When the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting dessert to bring a sense of coziness to your home. Deep Dish Apple Crisp is one of those classic fall treats that hits all the right notes—sweet, spiced apples nestled under a buttery, crumbly oat topping. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, a holiday feast, or simply because you’re craving something comforting, this dessert delivers with every bite.

The magic of apple crisp lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t require the finesse of a pie crust, but it offers all the flavor and nostalgia of a traditional apple pie. The deep-dish version amps up the cozy factor by packing in more layers of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, while the oat crisp topping adds a satisfying crunch.

Here’s everything you need to know about making this mouthwatering dessert at home, along with a few tips to make it your own.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for Any Occasion: From cozy weeknights to festive gatherings, this dessert fits any occasion.
Easy to Customize: Add your own twist with different spices, nuts, or even dried fruit.
No Pie Crust Needed: Skip the stress of rolling out dough and opt for a quick and easy oat topping.
Versatile Apples: Use whatever apples you have on hand! Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work wonderfully, but feel free to mix and match for added depth of flavor.
Ideal for Leftovers: If there’s any left (a big if), the crisp tastes amazing reheated for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling:

6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Crisp Topping:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a deep dish pie plate or a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated in the spiced sugar mixture. The lemon juice helps balance the sweetness and keeps the apples from browning as they bake.

Step 3: Make the Crisp Topping

In another bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients, and using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be well distributed but with small chunks remaining for that flaky, crumbly texture.

Step 4: Assemble the Crisp

Spread the apple mixture evenly into the greased baking dish. Then, sprinkle the oat topping over the apples, making sure to cover the apples completely.

Step 5: Bake

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apple filling begins to bubble up around the edges. The smell of warm cinnamon and apples filling your kitchen is simply irresistible.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow the crisp to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. For the ultimate dessert experience, serve the apple crisp warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

Make It Your Own

Add Some Nuts: For extra texture and flavor, toss in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the crisp topping before baking.
Try Different Apples: While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are popular choices for their tartness and firmness, don’t hesitate to mix different apple varieties for a more complex flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions

This Deep Dish Apple Crisp is delicious on its own, but to elevate it to the next level, serve it with:

Vanilla Ice Cream: The cold creaminess of ice cream perfectly contrasts the warm, spiced apples and crispy topping.
Whipped Cream: Light and airy whipped cream adds a lovely touch of sweetness.
Caramel Drizzle: For an indulgent twist, drizzle some warm caramel sauce over your serving of apple crisp.

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