Tender baked apples under a crunchy, buttery oat topping make apple crisp an easy, comforting family dessert. This fall favorite fills your kitchen with the warm aroma of cinnamon and baked fruit.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish.
Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/2-inch thick wedges, then toss with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Arrange the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish, spreading to cover the bottom.
In another bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until coarse crumbs form.
Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
Cool 15 minutes before serving for best texture. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream.