Apple Crisp With Vanilla Ice Cream
Some desserts are just meant to be served warm, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top—and apple crisp is definitely right at the top of that list! It’s a cozy classic that’s everything you want on a cold day when you’re in the mood for a little comfort: tender, spiced apples bubbling under a golden, buttery oat topping that’s crisp enough to contrast perfectly with the soft, cinnamon-kissed filling.
This isn’t a fussy, overcomplicated recipe. Just simple ingredients, classic flavors, and a little bit of magic when warm apples meet cold vanilla ice cream. The filling is jam-packed with sweet and tart apples, a hint of lemon, and the perfect blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice—because apples deserve more than just one spice. And the topping? Buttery, crisp, and made even better with a handful of oats and optional toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Drizzle on some caramel sauce, grab a spoon, and get ready for a dessert that tastes like fall, comfort, and home—all in one bite. My family absolutely LOVE this recipe, and it’s one that I return to time and time again to serve up after family meals. I hope that you’ll love it just as much as we do!
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- Apples
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Ground allspice
- Fresh lemon juice
- Cornstarch
For the Topping:
- Old-fashioned oats
- All-purpose flour
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
To Serve:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Homemade Apple Crisp
Please note that if you prefer a printable recipe card, you’ll find that at the bottom of this page! It has the ingredients, measurements, and all the details you need to get straight down to business in your kitchen and whip up this apple crisp. I know lots of home cooks and bakers like to see a visual guide when they’re recreating recipes, so I’m sharing some handy process snaps right here…
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or similar-sized oven-safe dish.
- Prepare the Filling:
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Make the Topping:
In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and, using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if using.
- Assemble:
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture.
- Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool Slightly:
Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to settle.
- Serve:
Scoop warm apple crisp into bowls and top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.
Variations & Customizations
This recipe is absolutely perfect just as it is, but if you want to shake things up a little and put your own spin on it, here are some ideas you might want to try:
Mix in Other Fruits
- Add pears for a softer, sweeter flavor.
- Toss in cranberries or raspberries for a tart contrast.
- Try a peach and apple combo for a summery twist.
Make It Extra Indulgent
- Stir white chocolate chips into the oat topping before baking.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate for a decadent finish.
- Serve with brown butter whipped cream instead of vanilla ice cream for a richer topping.
Change Up the Topping
- Swap the oats for crushed graham crackers or gingersnap cookies for a fun flavor boost.
- Want a streusel-like topping? Skip the oats and add extra butter and flour for a more crumbly texture.
- Add shredded coconut or a pinch of cardamom for a little extra warmth.
Storage & Reheating Tips for Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is just as delicious the next day—if you manage to have any leftovers! Here’s how to store and reheat it while keeping that crisp, golden topping intact.
How to Store Apple Crisp
- At Room Temperature: If you plan to eat it within a few hours, leave it loosely covered on the counter to keep the topping crisp.
- In the Fridge: Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with foil/plastic wrap. It will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- In the Freezer: Apple crisp freezes really well! Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Apple Crisp
Want to bring back that warm, cozy texture? Here’s how:
-
In the Oven (Best for Crispiness): Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the crisp in an oven-safe dish and bake for 10–15 minutes until heated through and the topping is crisp again. If reheating from frozen, cover with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes, then remove the foil for the last few minutes to re-crisp the topping.
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In the Air Fryer (Super Quick!): Heat at 325°F (160°C) for 5–7 minutes until warm and crispy.
-
In the Microwave (Fastest, but Softens the Topping): Heat individual portions in 30-second intervals until warmed through. If the topping gets soft, pop it under the broiler for 1–2 minutes to re-crisp.
Apple Crisp With Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 6 medium apples mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 900g total)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
For the Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
To Serve:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or similar-sized oven-safe dish.
Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Make the Topping:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and, using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if using.
Assemble:
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture.
Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
Cool Slightly:
- Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to settle.
Serve:
- Scoop warm apple crisp into bowls and top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.
Give this apple crisp with vanilla ice cream a try, and let me know what you think! Did you add a fun twist or find the perfect topping combo? Leave a comment and a rating below—I’d love to hear how it turned out! And don’t forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @scoopandsprinkleofficial – I love seeing your creations!
