American Dessert

Ina's Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp with Oat Topping

Tender spiced apples bake under a craggy oat topping until the fruit is bubbling and the buttery crumbs turn crisp and golden.

  • Adapted from Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten's fruit-crisp structure, and classic oat topping technique
  • Primary source barefootcontessa.com
1 hr 25 mins Low cost Serves 8 to 10
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh CarbMake AheadBaking ProjectDessertComfort Food

At a Glance

Time
1 hr 25 mins
Serves
8 to 10
Cost
Low
Cuisine
American Dessert
Dietary fit
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian

Instructions

  1. Toss the apples with the orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread the fruit into a buttered baking dish.
  2. Mix the flour, brown sugar, remaining granulated sugar, oats, and kosher salt together for the topping. Cut in the cold butter until you have rough clumps and crumbs.
  3. Scatter the topping over the apples so the fruit is mostly covered but still peeks through in spots. Bake at 350 degrees F until the apples bubble and the topping is deeply golden, about 50 to 60 minutes.
  4. Let the crisp rest for at least 15 minutes before serving so the juices thicken slightly and the topping firms up.
  5. You want tender apples that still hold their shape under a crisp, buttery oat topping.

Adaptations

Easy Swap
  • Gluten-Free: Easy Swap Easy swap; see the adaptation note below.
  • Dairy-Free: Easy Swap Easy swap; see the adaptation note below.
  • Vegetarian: Vegetarian Vegetarian as written.

How to adapt: Use a gluten-free flour blend in the topping and verify your oats are certified GF if needed — this swap works well since the apple filling is naturally GF. For dairy-free, use vegan butter in the topping.

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