Easy Apple Crisp with Oats Topping (Foolproof)

This apple crisp with oats topping is completely foolproof, built on canned apple pie filling and a buttery brown sugar oatmeal crumble that tastes just like an oatmeal cookie.

If you love easy fall desserts, you will also want to try my Vegan Maple Apple Cranberry Crisp, Apple Pie with Oat Streusel, and Apple Cider Donut Cake.

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My kids ask for this the moment fall weather hits, and honestly, I have another one baking in the oven right now as I write this.

Crisps and crumbles are loved by everyone in my house and are genuinely no-fuss to make, no dough to roll out, no chilling required, just a few minutes of prep before it goes in the oven.

Why This Recipe Works

• Fast: canned apple pie filling means no peeling, slicing, or pre-cooking the fruit. Prep takes about 5 minutes.
• Textured: the oat topping bakes up crunchy and buttery, almost like an oatmeal cookie crust.
• Versatile: swap in any canned pie filling for a completely different dessert with the same easy method.
• Make-ahead friendly: assembles quickly and reheats well, making it a great choice for parties and potlucks.

A soft apple pie filling bakes in a naturally occurring syrup topped with an incredible oatmeal cookie-like crumble. Serve with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch it melt all over your hot crumble.

How to make a crisp with fresh apples?

I make apple crisps and crumbles all the time with fresh apples. In place of the canned apple filling, you will need about 6 large (sliced, cored and peeled). A combo of Granny Smith and another sweeter variety works nicely in this recipe.

The apples, ½ cup sugar, ½-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I like more cinnamon flavor) ½ teaspoon salt are combined and then spooned into your casserole or baking dish. Top with crisp and bake following the recipe below.

Ingredients (full recipe is below)

• Apple pie filling: Ready-made filling for convenience and delicious apple flavor.
• Ground cinnamon: Infuses a warm and comforting aroma into the crisp topping.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and helps bind the crisp topping.
• Old-fashioned oats: Adds texture and a wholesome taste to the topping.
• Sea Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dessert
• Butter (or margarine): Adds richness and helps create a buttery, crumbly texture.
• Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the flavors.

How do you make the best apple crisp recipe:

Full printable recipe is below, but this is the summary.

If you're using apple pie filling, it's really fast and easy to put together. The hardest part is putting together the topping (and it's not hard, really!).

In a large bowl, place all the topping ingredients and combine until you get coarse crumbs.

Spoon the filling into your baking dish. Sprinkle on a little cinnamon.

The last step is to cover the apples with the crisp topping. It only takes about less than 10 minutes to prep.

Then let the beautiful crisp bake away magically (for 30-40 minutes).

Recipe Tips

• Use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats. Quick oats are smaller and will make the topping mushy instead of crunchy.
• Add nuts for crunch. Chopped walnuts or pecans mixed into the topping add texture and flavor.
• A little vanilla or nutmeg goes a long way. Stir either into the apple filling for extra depth.
• Tent with foil if it browns too fast. Every oven runs a little differently, so keep an eye on the topping in the last 10 minutes.
• Let it rest before serving. The filling is extremely hot straight out of the oven, a few minutes of cooling makes it far easier to serve without burning yourself.

Variations

• Different fruit: try cherry, blueberry, or peach pie filling instead of apple.
• Add nuts: a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts in the crumble topping for crunch.
• Different spices: nutmeg or allspice for a different flavor profile.
• Gluten-free: substitute half the flour with almond flour, or use a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
• Vegan: use coconut oil or vegan butter in place of butter.
• Extra indulgent: drizzle warm caramel sauce over the finished crisp.

What to Serve With Apple Crisp

Vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing, the contrast between the warm, crunchy topping and the cold, melting ice cream is what makes this dessert so good. Whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce both work beautifully too.

Storing

• Refrigerate: Once completely cooled, cover tightly and store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave to warm through and re-crisp the topping.
• Freeze: Not recommended, the topping texture does not hold up well after thawing.

Some other apple recipes to enjoy:

• Here is my my vegan apple-cranberry crisp (made with apples, not pie filling).
• LOVE this Apple Pie with Oat Streusel
• This Apple Cider Donut Cake is crazy delicious!
• Apple Cider Mimomas are a special drink to serve at Thanksgiving

Did you make this and love it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below:)

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5 from 18 votes

Easy Apple Crisp with Oats Topping

This Easy Apple Crisp with Oats Topping is made with canned apple pie filling and the most incredible oats topping. Preps in just minutes! A classic fall dessert made with cans of apple pie and scrumptious crumble topping that tastes like an oatmeal cookie. Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Prep Time8 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time38 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apples, crisp, easy dessert, pie filling

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 385kcal

Author: Lora

Equipment

• sheet pan

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 21 oz cans apple pie filling
• ▢ 1 ⅓ cup old fashioned oats
• ▢ 1 ½ cups flour
• ▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter cut into cubes (I used margarine to stay dairy-free)
• ▢ ½ cup light brown sugar
• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Pour both cans of apple pie filling into a rectangular baking dish, or a deep baking dish.
• Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (reserve the rest for the crisp topping) on top of apple filling.
• Combine the oats, flour, butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Blend with your fingertips (or a pastry cutter) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
• Top apple filling with the crumble mix.
• Put in the middle rack of the oven (either bake it on a baking sheet or a foil under the baking dish, to catch any possible spills).
• Bake for about 30-45 minutes, until topping looks crunchy. You want the fruit to start to bubble. If the topping starts to brown too much, cover with foil until complete. Take care when removing from the oven as the fruit will bubble and will be very hot. Good luck letting it cool before serving.
• Highly recommend serving apple crisp with a big scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

Notes

• Oats : Use whole, old-fashioned oats in this recipe. Quick oats are much smaller in size and will not work the same for this recipe. 
• Variations : Feel free to use any canned pie filling! Make a cherry, blueberry, or peach crisp.
• Serving: Best served warm with vanilla ice-cream!

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 535IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg

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