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Apple crisp has always been one of my favorite fall desserts. Imagine sinking your spoon into a warm, tender apple filling, perfectly balanced with the crisp, golden streusel topping. Served warm with vanilla ice cream or homemade cinnamon ice cream for the ultimate creamy combo. So easy to make and it’s even better in a cast iron skillet!

Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Admittedly, I don’t bake that often, so I especially love simple desserts that are easy to put together without a lot of complex steps. This simple apple crisp recipe is comprised of a layer of apples tossed in sugar and spices and topped with a crumbled mix of oats, sugar, butter, and more spices. The deliciousness of apple pie but even easier to throw together in minutes.
I love plain bases for dishes—you can take a Dutch Baby and add any fruit. You could even use this crisp fruit filling as a topping! Apples also go nicely in martinis, and there’s always a classic Sangria if you’re feeling fruity.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

- Granny Smith apples: Granny Smith apples are the ideal choice for apple crisp due to their ability to withstand the baking process while offering necessary complementary tartness. Other apple varieties such as Golden Delicious, Braeburn, or Cortland work well for baking as they maintain their structure without excessive breakdown.
- Lemon juice: fresh lemon adds acidity and fresh tartness to the apple mix. While it can be omitted, it enhances apple flavor and balances the sugar.
- Old-fashioned oats: use regular old-fashioned oats, or quick oats. Not to be confused with instant oatmeal. This is better for overall crunch and final texture. Instant oats are processed and are too fine. I like Bob’s Red Mill.
- Brown sugar: I use brown sugar in the streusel for flavor and texture. It helps the mixture to caramelize and crisp up along with the butter. I prefer dark, but light also works.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: these two spices are critical for the apples and streusel components. It adds the signature fall flavors in the dish.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 2.
Combine streusel topping in a bowl and toss until mixed. Use your hands to work the butter into the mixture until fully mixed and slightly crumbly.

QUICK TIP
The smaller you dice the butter the easier this step will be. You can also use a pastry cutter. Cold butter works best.
Step 3.
Combine apple filling in a 12-inch cast iron skillet (image 3a) and toss until the apples are fully coated in the cinnamon sugar (image 3b). Ensure the topping is evenly distributed in the skillet.


QUICK TIP
Depending on the size of the apples, add more cinnamon and sugar as needed to taste.
Step 4.
Top with streusel, forming an even layer. Bake for 35 minutes uncovered. The apples should be very tender when pierced with a toothpick.


More Skillet Desserts
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this recipe, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Skillet Apple Crisp Recipe

Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 medium-large Granny Smith apples, optionally peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, (half a lemon)
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup all-purous flour
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (or light), packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, (cold) diced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine streusel topping in a bowl and toss until mixed. Use your hands to work the butter into the mixture until fully mixed and slightly crumbly. The smaller you dice the butter the easier this step will be. You can also use a pastry cutter.
- Combine apple filling in a 12-inch cast iron skillet and toss until the apples are fully coated in the cinnamon sugar. Ensure the topping is evenly distributed in the skillet.
- Top with streusel, forming an even layer. Bake for 35 minutes uncovered. The apples should be very tender when pierced with a toothpick.
- Let cool slightly and serve topped with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.