Easy, Delicious Apple Crisp Recipe (for a crowd)

I always find myself reaching for this dessert when I’m hosting friends or family — it comes together easily, uses simple pantry ingredients, and the result always invites compliments. The combination of tart and sweet apples, warm cinnamon spice, and a buttery oat and nut topping makes it feel special yet effortless.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this apple crisp because it strikes the perfect balance: juicy, tender apples with a crisp, golden topping that has oats and nuts (if you choose). It scales up nicely for a large group, so I don’t worry about having to bake multiple small dishes. And when it comes out of the oven and the aroma fills the kitchen — that alone feels like a celebration. Also, making it ahead or warming it up later is totally doable, which means I can relax more when hosting.

Ingredients

(Note: All ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.)
Filling:

• 9-10 cups diced apples such as Granny Smith, Braeburn or Gala (approximately 4 pounds)
• 4 Tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, sliced (cold)
• ¾ cup flour
• 1½ cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• dash of salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease or butter a large baking dish (for example a 13×9 inch or equivalent for a crowd).
2. Peel (if you like) and dice your apples into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; toss to coat the apples evenly.
3. Spread the apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl, prepare the topping: combine the flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of salt, and the chopped nuts if using. Add the cold butter slices and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until you have coarse crumbs with some larger pieces.
5. Evenly distribute the topping mixture over the apples in the baking dish.
6. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 45-60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, the apples are bubbling around the edges, and a toothpick inserted into the apples meets little resistance.
7. Remove from oven and let the apple crisp rest for about 10 minutes before serving (this helps the juices settle slightly). Serve warm. Optionally top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Servings and Timing

This recipe should serve approximately 10-12 people, depending on portion size.
Prep time is around 15-20 minutes.
Bake time is about 45-60 minutes.
Total time: roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes including resting.

Variations

• I sometimes mix apple varieties — for example Granny Smith for tartness + Gala for sweetness — to give a more complex apple flavour.
• If I want extra crunch, I’ll use pecans and walnuts both, or even add a few chopped almonds.
• For a spicier topping, I might add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger in addition to the pumpkin pie spice.
• If I’m serving a smaller crowd, I’ll halve the recipe and use an 8×8 inch dish.
• For a gluten-free version, I’ll swap the flour for gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free oats.
• If I’m short on time, I’ll skip peeling the apples (just wash them well) and dice with skins on — the texture is still good and I save some effort.

Storage/Reheating

I store any leftover apple crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, I place it in a 350 °F oven for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through and the topping is crisp again. If it looks a bit dry, I’ll sprinkle a tablespoon or so of water or apple cider around the edges before reheating.
You can also freeze the baked crisp: once it’s fully cool, cover tightly and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To serve later, thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the oven.

FAQs

What kind of apples work best for this apple crisp?

I prefer firm apples that hold their shape when baked — varieties like Granny Smith, Braeburn or Gala. Mixing types gives great texture and flavour.

Do I need to peel the apples?

You don’t have to. I sometimes keep the skins on for convenience and texture. If I leave them on, I just make sure to wash very well and adjust dice size so the pieces are uniform.

Can I assemble this ahead of time?

Yes — you can prepare the filling and topping separately, refrigerate them, and then bake when ready. If you assemble fully ahead, I’d suggest baking just before serving so the topping stays crisp.

Can I serve it with something?

Absolutely! I love it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The cold ice-cream against the warm crisp is a classic pairing.

How can I make the topping extra crisp?

Using cold butter helps, as does ensuring the topping is spread evenly and not mounded too thickly in any one spot so it bakes uniformly.

Is it okay if the apples release a lot of juice?

Yes — some bubbling around the edges is normal and desirable. If you want to reduce it, you can toss the apples with a little flour (½-1 tbsp) before placing in the dish to absorb extra juices.

Can I make this vegan or dairy-free?

Yes — substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine or vegan butter alternative and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free if needed for dietary concerns. The rest of the recipe is naturally plant-based.

What size baking dish should I use?

For a crowd (10-12 servings) I use a large dish like 13×9 inch. If you only have a smaller dish, you may need to use two dishes or reduce the recipe.

Will the topping get soggy if I store leftovers?

It might soften over time due to steam from the fruit underneath. To refresh it, I pop leftovers under the broiler for a minute or back in the oven for 5-10 minutes to crisp the topping again.

Conclusion

I feel this Easy, Delicious Apple Crisp for a crowd is the kind of dessert that always delivers: it’s comforting, filled with flavor, easy to scale, and makes people smile. Whether it’s for a family gathering, potluck or just a cozy evening, it’s a winner. I hope you make it, enjoy it, and maybe even get the compliments I always hear!

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