This simple apple crisp recipe comes straight from my great-grandma, so you know it has to be good. There’s no added sugar, just the natural sweetness of the apples. So the fruit and the oat topping really shine through. It is great on its own and even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Serving of old fashioned apple crisp on plate topped with scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This fabulously simple apple crisp comes straight from my great-grandma’s recipe box. It is a great way to highlight everyone’s favorite fall fruit.

It is a healthy treat that celebrates fall in a fabulous way. So enjoy this special recipe straight from my great-grandma’s kitchen to yours!

This recipe comes from my great-grandma Peggy via my Maw-Maw and then through MiMi. We have been on a quest to preserve the recipes my grandmas and great-grandmothers made.

Vintage serving spoon lifting sliced apples and crisp oat topping out of pan.

Ingredients: apples, flour, salt, cinnamon, oats and melted butter ready to be made into an old fashioned apple crisp.

So when my mom sent this one over, I knew I had to make it. Apple recipes are some of my favorites, especially when they come with history.

There is something extra special about making a recipe that my mom’s mom’s mom made. And who knows, maybe her mother made it before her.

This recipe came from the same great-grandma who gave us the German Chocolate Cake with Broiled Coconut Frosting that was met with such rave reviews. She is also the one who made MiMi her special birthday cake, a fabulous butter cake with old fashioned chocolate frosting.

I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but judging from her recipes we would have got along famously. It sounds like she might have been the dessert committee in her family as well!

What apples are best to use for apple crisp?

A firm apple that holds up to baking is best for apple crisp. We like using honeycrisp, Jonagold or Johnathan apples for making crisps.

What Makes This Apple Crisp Different

This recipe has no added sugar even though it was from before that was a thing. If you are using sweet apples, you really don’t need it.

If your apples are tart or you just can’t imagine an apple crisp without a little extra sugar, feel free to add a few tablespoons of brown sugar to the oat topping. You could also drizzle a little bit of honey or maple syrup over the apples before you add the topping.

Feel free to peel your apples if you want to. Because this is a rustic dessert and many of the apple’s nutrients are in the peel, I chose to leave mine on.

Sliced apples in square baking dish with small bowl of oat topping nearby.

Square baking dish filled with fresh baked apple crisp with golden oat crumbles on top.

It saves time and makes the recipe a little bit more healthy, so it works for me. If the skins bother you, it would only take a couple of more minutes to remove them.

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You can either thinly slice your apples or chop them. Both ways make for a tasty treat.

I made mine just as it was written though and it was amazing. You can add a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or cinnamon ice cream) if you want to jazz it up a bit.

Plate of old fashioned apple crisp with sliced apples and buttery oats, ready to eat.

The note on my great-grandma’s recipe says “this is kind of a quick treat or an easy dessert. Maybe it is served by scooping from pan since it won’t cut into even squares.” I know I found it to be an excellent treat.

I served up one scoop for a picture and I couldn’t keep from picking at it once I got started. Mmmm.

There is just something about the warm apples and crispy oat topping that kept my hands going back for more. And if the taste wasn’t enough, the aroma of the apples and cinnamon baking is more than enough reason to whip up a batch.

Storage

Leftover apple crisp should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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4.94 from 15 ratings

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Without Added Sugar

Author: Carlee

Servings: Servings

This simple apple crisp recipe comes straight from my great-grandma, so you know it has to be good. There's no added sugar, just the natural sweetness of the apples. So the fruit and the oat topping really shine through. It is great on its own and even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Prep: 10

Cook: 30

Total: 40

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Wash apples and remove the cores. (Feel free to peel them if desired.)
5 to 6 medium cooking apples
Either thinly slice or chop the apples and toss with lemon juice. Arrange in a greased square baking dish.
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Combine the dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Add butter and stir to coat. Distribute over the apples in the baking dish.
⅓ cup all purpose flour, 1 cup uncooked oats, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅓ cup unsalted butter
Bake for 30 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.