Quaker Oats Apple Crisp Recipe

When it comes to classic comfort desserts, few can rival the warm and gooey goodness of this Quaker Oats Apple Crisp Recipe. This timeless favorite combines the wholesome flavor of fresh apples with brown sugar, old fashioned oats, and a secret surprise ingredient that really gives this easy recipe a little something extra.

A good old fashioned apple crisp recipe is one of my husband’s all-time favorite desserts. It took me several years to get on board with any kind of fruit crisp or crumble, but everything changed once I discovered this version of the recipe. Who knew that such a simple secret ingredient could make such a difference?

I can’t wait to tell you all about it, so let’s dive in!

Warm up with our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe – the secret ingredient makes it extra special. Perfect for cozy gatherings.

Quaker Oats Apple Crisp Recipe | Key Ingredients

  1. Old-Fashioned: These oats provide the crisp and hearty texture to the crisp topping. They toast up beautifully during baking, creating a crunchy contrast to the tender apples.
  2. Honey Grahams: Crushed Honey Grahams add a wonderful honey-flavored sweetness and extra crunch to the topping. They work alongside the oats to create a flavorful, textured topping.
  3. Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is used in both the oat mixture for the topping and in the apple filling. It adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the crisp. In the topping, it helps create a crisp and golden brown crust.
  4. Flour: Flour in the topping serves as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and create a crumbly texture. In the filling, it thickens the juices released by the apples as they bake.
  5. Chopped Pecans: Pecans contribute a delightful nutty flavor and an extra layer of crunch to the oatmeal topping. They pair wonderfully with the cinnamon and brown sugar, enhancing the overall taste.
  6. Butter: Butter is a key ingredient for the topping mixture. It’s melted and mixed with the other dry ingredients to create a buttery, sweet, and crispy topping when baked.
  7. Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a quintessential spice for apple desserts. It adds warmth and depth to both the topping and the apple crisp filling, infusing the entire dish with cozy flavor.
  8. Granny Smith Apples: These tart apples are ideal for delicious apple crisp because they hold their shape well during baking. They provide a lovely contrast to the sweet, crumbly topping.

Get ready to fall in love with our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe! It's the secret ingredient that makes it truly special.

Quaker Oats Apple Crisp Recipe | The Secret Ingredient

I never knew I could fall in complete and utter LOVE with an apple crisp recipe until I tried one with GRAHAM CRACKERS in the topping. It absolutely makes all the difference, and here’s why:

  1. Sweetness: Graham crackers are inherently sweet due to the addition of honey or sugar during their production. This sweetness combines with the brown sugar and complements the natural tartness of the apples, creating the perfect balance of flavors.
  2. Texture: When crushed and incorporated into the topping, graham crackers provide a delightful crunch and crumble– above and beyond what you would normally find in a typical apple crisp dessert. This contrasts beautifully with the apples that have been softened during baking, adding an appealing textural element to the dessert.
  3. Flavor: Graham crackers have a unique flavor profile that includes hints of honey, cinnamon, and a slightly nutty undertone. This distinct flavor infuses the topping with complexity, making each bite more interesting and flavorful.
  4. Binding Agent: The crushed graham crackers act as a binding agent in the topping. They help hold the other ingredients, like oats and butter, together to create a cohesive and crumbly texture that’s both visually appealing and satisfying to the palate.

Craving a classic dessert? Try our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe, featuring a secret ingredient that sets it apart!

Quaker Oats Apple Recipe | FAQs

Can I use different types of apples besides Granny Smith for apple crisp?

Yes, you can use another type of apple besides Granny Smith for apple crisp. While Granny Smith apples are a popular choice because of their tartness and ability to hold their shape during baking, there are many other apple varieties that can work well in apple crisp, each offering a slightly different flavor and texture.

Some alternatives to Granny Smith apples for apple crisp include:

  1. Honeycrisp: These apples are sweet and have a pleasing crunch, making them a favorite for desserts and snacking.
  2. Braeburn: Braeburn apples have a sweet-tart flavor and hold their shape nicely when baked.
  3. Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and juicy, providing a different level of sweetness in your crisp.
  4. Golden Delicious: These apples have a mild, sweet flavor and will become soft and tender when baked.
  5. Cortland: Cortland apples are similar to Granny Smiths but slightly sweeter and also hold their shape well when cooked.
  6. Jonagold: These apples are a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, offering a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Experience the magic of our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe!

What are some popular toppings for apple crisp?

  1. Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic choice and my personal preference. The cool and creamy texture of vanilla ice cream pairs perfectly with the warm, baked apples and crunchy topping.
  2. Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy contrast to the rich, sweet apple crisp.
  3. Caramel Sauce: Drizzling warm caramel sauce over your apple crisp provides a sweet, buttery, and slightly salty contrast that complements the dessert beautifully.
  4. Cheddar Cheese: In some regions, especially in the Northeastern United States, a slice of sharp cheddar cheese is served alongside apple crisp (we like it on Apple Pie). The combination of sweet and savory flavors can be surprisingly delicious.
  5. Yogurt or Greek Yogurt: For a lighter option, top your apple crisp with a spoonful of yogurt or Greek yogurt. It provides a creamy and tangy balance to the sweetness of the dessert.

Can I serve apple crisp at room temperature?

The great thing about this delicious dessert is that while it’s traditionally served warm, you can absolutely serve apple crisp at room temperature if you prefer! In fact, we love eating it the next day almost as much as we love it fresh from the oven.

More Apple Desserts

Looking for a dessert that's both easy and exceptional? Try our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe with its secret ingredient twist!

Do I need to peel the apples for apple crisp?

Whether or not you need to peel the apples for apple crisp is a matter of personal preference. Personally, I think the best way is to peel the apples. I like the consistency of the texture without peels much more than I do with the peels left on. But the choice is all yours.

Here are some considerations to help you decide:

Peeling the Apples:

  1. Smooth Texture: Peeling the apples will result in a smoother, uniform texture for the apple filling. 
  2. Color and Presentation: Without the peels, the apple filling will have a consistent color, which can be visually appealing. This can be important if you’re serving the apple crisp for a special occasion.
  3. Texture Consistency: The absence of peels ensures that the apple pieces have a consistent texture throughout the crisp, which can be desirable for some palates.

Leaving the Peels On:

  1. Nutrition: Apple peels contain fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Leaving the peels on can make your apple crisp slightly more nutritious.
  2. Texture Variety: Some people enjoy the contrast in texture that the apple peels provide. They can add a slightly chewy element to the filling, which some find appealing.
  3. Convenience: Leaving the peels on can save you time and effort during preparation, as you won’t need to peel each apple.

Ultimately, the decision to peel the apples for your apple crisp depends on your personal preference and the texture and presentation you’re looking for.  Either way, your apple crisp will be delicious!

Impress your guests with our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe. Uncover the secret ingredient that guarantees rave reviews.

Apple Crisp vs. Apple Crumble

Apple crumble and apple crisp are two similar desserts, often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them:

1. Topping:

  • Crisp: A crisp topping typically contains oats, flour, sugar, and butter. It has a crumbly texture when baked and often includes additional ingredients like nuts or spices for flavor.
  • Crumble: A crumble topping is similar but does not necessarily include oats. It usually consists of flour, sugar, and butter, resulting in larger, uneven crumbles.

2. Texture:

  • Crisp: As the name suggests, the topping of a crisp becomes crispy and crunchy when baked, thanks to the inclusion of oats and sometimes nuts.
  • Crumble: A crumble topping tends to be more tender and crumbly, with a less crispy texture than a crisp topping.

3. Regional Variations:

  • These terms can have different meanings in various regions. In some places, “crumble” may refer to what others call “crisp,” and vice versa. The ingredients and texture can vary depending on local traditions and preferences.

4. Use of Oats:

  • Crisp: Oats are a key ingredient in a crisp topping, providing a distinct texture and flavor.
  • Crumble: While oats can be included in a crumble topping, they are not as common, and the texture is typically less granola-like.

In practical terms, the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp often comes down to the choice of topping ingredients and the texture you prefer. Both desserts are delicious ways to enjoy baked apples with a sweet and crumbly topping, and the terms are used interchangeably in many recipes and regions. 

Crunchy, sweet, and secret! Our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe will have you guessing the special ingredient with every bite.

FAQ | Oats in the Oat Topping

What is the Difference between Rolled Oats and Old Fashioned Oats?

“Rolled oats” and “old-fashioned oats” are terms often used interchangeably in many regions to describe the same type of oats. In general, both rolled oats and old-fashioned oats refer to the same type of oat product, which is oat groats that have been steamed and then flattened with large rollers to create flat, oval-shaped oats.

Both oats are known for their versatility and are commonly used in oatmeal, baking, and other recipes.

Can I substitute rolled oats for old-fashioned oats in the topping?

Absolutely. Rolled oats can be substituted for old-fashioned oats in most apple crisp recipes without a significant change in texture or taste.

Can I use Quick Oats?

We don’t recommend subbing quick oats (or instant oats) in for the old fashioned oats. Here’s why we like Quaker Old Fashioned Oats (or Rolled Oats) better for this delicious recipe:

  1. Texture: Old-fashioned oats are thicker and have a firmer texture compared to quick-cooking oats. When used in the topping of an apple crisp, they maintain some of their structure during baking, creating a desirable crumbly and crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the soft, baked apples.
  2. Flavor Absorption: Old-fashioned oats absorb some of the flavors from the apples and spices during baking, contributing to the overall taste of the crisp. Their ability to hold up to moisture helps balance the dessert’s texture and flavor. In other words… they don’t get soggy in the way quick-cook oats would.
  3. Thickness: Quick-cooking oats are thinner and tend to become mushier when baked. This can result in a topping that is less distinct and may not provide the same level of textural contrast as old-fashioned oats. Again… the sogginess factor.

Delicious Apple Crisp Recipe: Warm, gooey, and perfect for fall!


Quaker Oats Apple Crisp Recipe

Whether you’re craving a comforting dessert for a cozy evening or looking to impress guests, this Quaker Oats Apple Crisp is a winner. With its perfect balance of warm, tender apples and a crispy, nutty topping, it’s a warm and cozy dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite. We hope you love it as much as we do. Happy baking!

Homemade Apple Crisp: Sweet, crunchy, and oh-so-satisfying. Learn how to make it here.

Quaker Oats Apple Crisp Recipe with Old Fashioned Oats

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Discover the secret ingredient that makes our Quaker Oats Apple Crisp recipe a family favorite! Irresistibly delicious and easy to make.

Ingredients

For the Topping

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans1
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided

For the Apple Filling:

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 6 cups)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, crushed grahams, brown sugar, and flour. Cut in the butter with a fork. Mix in the pecans and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.
  3. In another bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Add the apple pieces to the bowl and toss to coat.
  4. Pour the prepared apple pieces into a greased 8-inch baking dish. Pour the crumble on top and spread evenly. 
  5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until apples are tender. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  6. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 90mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 20gProtein: 2g

Ashton • Keaton • Mia

Co-Owners at Keat's Eats
Ashton and Keaton began blogging together in 2016 as a passion project. Both siblings are lovers of food, family gatherings, and entrepreneurial pursuits, which made starting a food blog together a no-brainer.