Grandma’s Best Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp (with GF/DF Options)

In Our House, Fall Means Apple Crisp!

I don’t know about you, but here in Lawrence, the trees are slowly turning red and the air has turned cool. So you know what that means – FALL IS HERE!! And let’s just say, I can’t get enough of it! Is anyone else just as obsessed with fall? For all the warm desserts, bonfires, and cooler weather? So in celebration of Fall, I bought some granny smith apples and made some cozy, warm Apple Crisp!

This incredibly easy apple crisp tastes JUST like grandma’s best recipe! Made with fresh apples, cinnamon, and a perfect layer of warm buttery streusel topping, this warm Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp recipe pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It can be made traditional as is, or adapted gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.

Ingredients to Make Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Apple Filling

• 2 lbs granny smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar, divided (sub coconut sugar for refined sugar-free)
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided

Streusel Topping

• 3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (sub gluten-free flour  if GF)
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes (sub plant-based butter for DF)
• 1/4 tsp salt

How to Make Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Apple Filling

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Lightly spray or butter a 9-inch round baking dish or 8×8 square baking dish. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add apples, 2 tbsp of the brown sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tsp of the cinnamon. Whisk to combine, then transfer to the base of prepared baking dish.

Streusel Topping

1. In a separate bowl, add the remaining 1 cup brown sugar, rolled oats, flour, remaining 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and cold butter.
2. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles pea-sized crumbs.

Putting Them Together

1. Spread streusel topping over the apple filling in the prepared baking dish. Press gently to even it out. 
2. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until streusel topping turns golden brown and apple filling starts to bubble.
3. Serve warm, paired with a fresh scoop of vanilla ice cream. ENJOY!

Looking for More Easy Snack Ideas?

• Fluffy Pumpkin Spice Bread (with GF/DF Options!)
• Maple Pumpkin Oat Bars (GF, DF, V)
• Cinnamon Swirl Pound Cake
• Almond Flour Carrot Muffins (GF, Paleo Options) 
• Easy & Delicious Pumpkin Pancakes (GF, DF, V Options)
• Mom’s Famous Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie (DF, V)
• Super Moist Banana Date Bread (Refined Sugar-Free)
• Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola (GF, DF, V)

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If you make this recipe, feel free to drop a comment below! I’d LOVE to know what you think!

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