I use fresh, juicy apples and a homemade cinnamon sugar crust to make my apple crisp recipe without oats! My version of this classic recipe is buttery, flavorful, and comforting, and best of all, it is so easy to make too!
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My Easy Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
My apple crisp recipe without oats was inspired by my annual family day trip to a local apple orchard. My two kids, Connor and Leah, had a blast picking out their own apples.Â
I wanted to make their day special this year by whipping up a simple but tasty dessert with the fruit they had added to their bags. After all, the only thing better than picking apples is eating them!
Connor said that this was his favorite apple treat I had ever made. He even suggested serving it again for breakfast the next morning, and it was hard to resist saying yes.
Most apple crisp recipes feature oats in the topping, but I skip the oats in my recipe so that the butter and sugar can really stand out. As much as I love oats, I find that this apple dessert is still perfectly crisp without them!
Looking for more delicious dessert recipes with apples? Try my apple turnover, cinnamon roll apple pie, apple cobbler, or air fryer apple crisp!
What apples are best for apple crisp?
My favorite apples to use for this easy apple crisp recipe without oats are Honeycrisp! They have a balanced sweet and tart flavor, and are known to be nice and juicy when cooked too.
Another one of my favorites is Granny Smith. These naturally tart apples taste incredible with the sweet crumble topping.
Apple Crisp Recipe Ingredients
- Apples – I use Honeycrisp apples, but have had success with Granny Smith and even Gala apples with this recipe!
- Brown sugar – Adds a rich caramel flavor to the fruit and sweetness to the crumble topping. I use half for the apple mixture and reserve the other half for the topping!
- Ground cinnamon – For a warm spice that complements the sweetness.
- Lemon juice – I love using freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten up the recipe, but water will also work fine here.
- Salt – A small pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the recipe and balances out the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour – Forms the base of the crisp topping.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and helps with the browning and crispiness of the crumble.
- Butter – The fat helps bind the crumble topping together and gives it a soft, delicate texture. I like to use unsalted butter!
How to Make Apple Crisp Without Oats
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Core, peel, and slice the apples to ¼ to ½ inch thick. Place the apple slices in a large bowl.
STEP THREE: Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh lemon juice (or water) in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt, then stir.
STEP FOUR: Pour the cinnamon sugar mixture over the apple slices and stir until the apples are coated evenly.
STEP FIVE: Transfer the apples into an 8×8 ceramic dish and set it aside.
STEP SIX: Begin making the crisp topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cube the stick of butter, then work the butter into the flour and sugar mixture using a pastry cutter or two forks.
STEP FIVE: Press the crisp topping on top of the apples.
STEP SIX: Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
STEP SEVEN: Remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Add toppings as desired and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
- I use ripe, crisp apples for this recipe. Avoiding mushy apples is important for getting the freshest results.
- I slice the apples into similar-sized pieces so that they cook evenly. I aim for ¼ to ½ inches thick so that they aren’t too thick or thin.
- Using cold butter is my best tip for making a perfectly delicate and tender topping! I like to cube the butter when it’s slightly soft, then pop it back into the fridge to chill until I’m ready to mix it with the flour and sugar.
- I use a pastry cutter to mix the crumble ingredients. This helps me easily combine the ingredients into a crumble without overmixing them.
- Serve it warm! I find this recipe tastes best when fresh out of the oven… after cooling for a few minutes, of course.
Apple Crumble Recipe Without Oats Variations and Substitutions
- When I can’t decide which apples to use, I make the recipe with a combination of my two favorite ones for a tasty, balanced flavor!
- For additional warmth and flavor, I add more spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
- I add chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans to the crumble topping when I want some extra crunch! I love how distinct the texture is from the rest of the soft dessert.
- To brighten the flavor of this recipe, I mix some lemon zest in with the apples. The citrusy notes add so much depth to balance out the sweetness.
What to Serve with Apple Crisp With No Oats
I love serving warm apple crisp with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! It is such a comforting combination, and the hot and cold temperatures balance each other out perfectly. Homemade whipped cream is also one of my favorite toppings to serve with this dessert.
Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats FAQs
What is the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp?
A crumble tends to have a more soft and buttery topping, while a crisp is usually on the crunchier side. Since my apple crisp recipe has no oats, it is very similar to a crumble, and I use these terms interchangeably.
How should I store leftover apple crisp without oats?
I let my apple crisp cool fully, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It tends to keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How should I reheat this apple crisp recipe with no oats?
My favorite way to reheat this apple dessert is in the oven! I place the apple crisp in an oven-safe dish, then reheat at 375 degrees F until warmed through. I find that reheating it in the oven is the best way to get the topping crispy again, but I sometimes use the microwave if I am reheating a smaller portion or am short on time.
More Easy Fall Recipes
- Sweet potato casserole
- Fall fruit salad
- Pumpkin cheesecake cookies
- Frog eye salad
- Watergate salad
- Fruit salad with cool whip
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
Equipment
- 8×8 baking dish
Ingredients
Apple Filling:
- 6-8 honeycrisp apples
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or water
- pinch salt
Crisp:
- 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/3 granulated sugar
- 1 stick butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Core, peel and slice the apples to ¼-½ inch thick. Place the apple slices in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and fresh lemon juice (or water) with a pinch of salt.
- Pour it over the apple slices and stir until the apples are all coated evenly with the brown sugar mixture.
- Pour the apples into an 8×8 ceramic dish and set it aside.
- Make the crisp topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Cube the stick of butter. Add it to the flour and using a pastry cutter or two forks work the butter into the flour making a crumble.
- Press the crisp topping on top of the apples.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling.
- Remove and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes before serving (optional: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.)
Notes
- Use ripe, crisp apples. Avoiding mushy apples is important for getting the freshest results.
- Slice the apples into similar-sized pieces so that they cook evenly. Aim for ¼ to ½ inches thick so that they aren’t too thick or thin.
- Using cold butter is my best tip for making a perfectly delicate and tender topping! I like to cube the butter when it’s slightly soft, then pop it back into the fridge to chill until I’m ready to mix it with the flour and sugar.
- Use a pastry cutter to mix the crumble ingredients. It helps combine the ingredients into a crumble without overmixing them.
- Serve it warm! I find this recipe tastes best when fresh out of the oven… after cooling for a few minutes, of course.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 375 degrees F for just a few minutes or in the air fryer at 350 degrees F to keep the topping crispy.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
