Tart apples, oats, flour, walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter bake into a cozy Easy One Cup Apple Crisp.
So, let me tell you something slightly embarrassing. The first time I made this Easy One Cup Apple Crisp, I wasn’t trying to be some Pinterest-perfect grown-up. I just… had too many apples. Like, waaay too many. My friends convinced me to go apple-picking last fall — you know, that thing where everyone pretends we’re rustic countryside types even though half of us can’t tell one apple from another? I came home with a trunk full of tart apples, plus a couple of questionable honey sticks I still haven’t opened.
When I dumped the apples on my counter, it felt like they were judging me. I don’t peel apples. I don’t “crimp crusts.” Honestly, pie crusts make me break out. But I remembered this scribbled note about an Easy One Cup Apple Crisp I’d seen in a church cookbook years ago… something about everything being a cup. That sounded lazy enough to attempt.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
So I just started throwing things together — brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, flour. My kitchen smelled like those nostalgic mall candle stores (you know the ones that go a little too hard on autumn). The apples softened into these warm, jammy chunks, and the topping baked into a toasty, buttery crumble that tasted like someone hugged my mouth. I took a pan to my neighbor — she’s like 70 and brutally honest — and she said, “Well, this is better than your cookies.” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but either way, I saved the recipe.
And now, I’m handing it to you — imperfect handwriting and all.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Easy One Cup Apple Crisp Recipe?
There’s something refreshingly chill about this Easy One Cup Apple Crisp. It doesn’t demand a pastry background or the patience of a saint. You literally scoop the main topping ingredients in one-cup portions — flour, oats, nuts, brown sugar — like some unofficial kitchen song. It takes the pressure off, and I kinda love that.
The apples? You don’t even peel them, which honestly feels rebellious. They soften just enough to feel cozy but not mushy. The topping gets crispy and buttery, with that warm cinnamon-nut thing going on. It feels… homemade, in a way that makes people think you spent hours even though it’s really kind of a one-and-done thing.
And look — I’ve made it when I was sad, when I was stressed, and once because I needed an excuse to use the fancy vanilla ice cream I swore I’d “save for guests.” Guess who never showed up.
So yeah. It’s reliable, forgiving, and just a little nostalgic.
Ingredient Notes:
A quick chat before we start actually making this Easy One Cup Apple Crisp. Nothing fancy here. Just stuff that behaves nicely and tastes like fall curled up inside a blanket.
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Tart apples – Granny Smith is the usual hero, but honestly any tangy apple works. Sometimes I mix varieties because it makes me feel like a scientist.
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All-purpose flour – Thickens the filling and keeps the topping held together.
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Brown sugar – Light or dark. Dark gives more caramel vibes. Depends on your mood.
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Cinnamon – No explanation needed. It’s cinnamon. It’s fall.
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Kosher salt – A pinch makes everything pop. Some folks skip it… don’t.
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Old-fashioned oats – They give that crispy, chewy texture. Instant oats? Meh. Too mushy.
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Walnuts or pecans – Light crunch, cozy flavor. Once I used both because I couldn’t decide. Turned out great.
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Melted butter – The great glue of life. And dessert.
You’ll notice the topping is measured in mostly 1-cup scoops — that’s the whole Easy One Cup Apple Crisp magic.
How To Make Easy One Cup Apple Crisp?
Step 1 — Warm Up & Grease
Preheat your oven to 375°F. It always makes the kitchen feel a little friendlier, doesn’t it? Rub a tablespoon of butter all over your 9×13 pan. It feels strangely fun… like finger painting you can eat.
Step 2 — Apple Party
Grab a big bowl. Toss in your apple chunks, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix it all together — just enough so everything looks coated. It’ll feel a little rustic. Pour it into the buttered dish. Bake about 30 minutes. The apples soften, and the smell? You’ll want to lie down and just breathe.
Step 3 — The Crispy Good Stuff
No need to wash the bowl (I mean, why). Dump in flour, oats, nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir. Then drizzle melted butter over. Stir again until the mixture looks like chunky cookie dough crumbs. If you taste a pinch… I’m not judging.
Step 4 — Bring It Together
Take your apples out. Give them a little stir — nothing dramatic. Sprinkle that topping over them like a cozy blanket. Pop it back in the oven for another 25-35 minutes. The top turns golden, and the corners bubble like they’re whispering secrets.
Step 5 — Eat & Exhale
Want To Save This Recipe?
Let it cool a bit (unless you enjoy a burnt tongue — your call). Serve warm or at room temp. Ice cream on top is kinda life-changing, but whipped cream also works if you’re feeling soft.
Honestly? I’ve eaten this Easy One Cup Apple Crisp straight from the dish with a spoon. Zero regrets.
Storage Options:
Okay, here’s the real talk: I rarely have leftovers. If you do, lucky you. Keep the Easy One Cup Apple Crisp covered at room temp for a day. After that, tuck it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I’ve reheated it in the oven to get that crunchy top again, but I’ve also eaten it cold right from the fridge. It’s weirdly satisfying, kinda like sneaking food at midnight and pretending no one knows.
Variations and Substitutions:
Every once in a while, someone wants to personalize their Easy One Cup Apple Crisp. Go for it. Cooking is half instinct anyway.
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Add raisins or dried cranberries — little juicy moments.
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Mix apples + pears — softer, more floral, feels fancy.
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Nut-free? Try pumpkin seeds; they work.
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Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice when you’re feeling dramatic.
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Use gluten-free flour. Still delicious.
Some folks even throw in a splash of lemon because their grandma did it. I’ve tried it. It’s… interesting.
What to Serve with Easy One Cup Apple Crisp?
The Easy One Cup Apple Crisp plays well with others. Think of it as that friend who can talk to anyone at a party.
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Vanilla ice cream (pls)
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Whipped cream
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Caramel drizzle — the extra mile
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Hot tea or chai — especially if it’s raining
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Spiked cider — for evenings when you want dessert + a lil cozy buzz
Or just eat it plain. Just you and a fork. And maybe a blanket.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to peel the apples?
Nope. The skins soften. Also… no one has time for that.
Can I skip the nuts?
Totally fine. Or swap for seeds. It’ll still taste like fall.
Why bake the apples first?
It gives them that soft-jammy vibe so you don’t end up with crunchy fruit under a crispy topping. I mean… that’s a choice, but not my choice.
And that’s it. My slightly chaotic, oddly emotional, very forgiving Easy One Cup Apple Crisp. If you try it, tell me everything — the good, the messy, the midnight bites. Did you add pears? Did you burn your tongue because you couldn’t wait? Honestly, same. I love hearing your kitchen stories.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Easy One Cup Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
- 4 pounds tart apples about 10 medium, cored and unpeeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans roughly chopped or crushed
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 stick 4 ounces unsalted butter melted and cooled
Instructions
Prepare the baking dish
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with the softened butter, ensuring the bottom and sides are evenly coated.
Prepare the filling
- Place the prepared apple pieces into a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading in an even layer. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the apples are beginning to soften.
Prepare the topping
- In the same bowl, combine the flour, oats, chopped nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture. Stir until all dry ingredients are moistened and the mixture resembles a coarse, crumbly dough.
Assemble and bake
- Remove the softened apples from the oven and gently stir. Evenly distribute the prepared topping over the fruit. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
Serve
- Allow the crisp to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Replace the all-purpose flour in both the filling and topping with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Ensure the rolled oats are certified gluten-free, as some commercial oat products may contain traces of gluten.
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
