This easy apple crisp recipe without oats makes the perfect fall dessert. With fresh apples and a sweet crumble topping, it's so tasty, especially warm with ice cream!
Fall truly is the best season. Cool, crisp weather, enjoying all of the apple and pumpkin treats... what's not to love?
Between this easy apple crisp recipe, apple pie bars, and apple bread, it’s hard to choose a favorite.
Why This Apple Crisp Recipe is a Favorite
- It uses fresh apples. A lot of crumble and crisp recipes out there call for canned pie filling. Sure, it's a time saver, but making apple crisp with fresh fruit means the flavor is better, plus additional fiber and vitamins!
- An unforgettable fall aroma. As the cinnamon-apple filling and crumbly topping bake in the oven, your house will smell incredible!
- No oats in the crisp means fewer calories!
- Customizable. One of the best things about this easy apple crisp recipe is that it can be made with so many different fruits. In the spring and summer months, you can make it with blueberries, raspberries, or peaches.
Are you wondering what the difference is between a crisp and a crumble? The answer is, they are very similar! Both are baked fruit desserts. The difference is really in the topping. Generally, crumbles have a sweet streusel topping while crisps include oats, and sometimes nuts.
But, many people use the terms interchangeably. So technically, this apple crisp recipe without oats could also be called an apple crumble!
Ingredients
See ingredient substitutions in the next section. ⬇️
For the apple filling, you'll need:
- baking apples - The best apples for baking have flesh that's crisp and firm. I typically use Gala or Honeycrisp, because they hold their shape well, even after baking.
- white sugar
- ground cinnamon
- cornstarch - There are other options for thickening a fruit filling, but I think cornstarch works the best.
For the apple crisp topping, you'll need:
- white sugar
- all purpose flour
- salted butter - I like to use salted butter for the apple crisp topping because it brings out a deeper cinnamon flavor.
- ground cinnamon
- baking powder - Using just a pinch of baking powder prevents the topping from being heavy and dense.
Best Baking Apples for a Crisp or Crumble
Here are some of the best varieties of baking apples:
- Granny Smith Apples- The tart flavor of this apple pairs really well with the sweetness of this dessert.
- Honeycrisp - This variety typically costs a little more, but it has a delicious sweet and tart flavor.
- Gala- This is another slightly sweet, firm-fleshed variety. I like to use Gala when I make homemade apple pie filling.
- Rome - A super red apple and not too tart. A great all-around apple. Good for pies, crisps, and apple sauce.
Substitutions and Recipe Variations
- butter - You can use unsalted butter if you don't have any salted on hand. Plant-based butter sticks will probably work, but I haven't tested them in a crumble topping.
- white granulated sugar - To cut down on the calories of this apple dessert, feel free to use a cup-for-cup granulated sugar substitute. Monkfruit sugar is a good option.
- all-purpose Flour - If you'd like to make the apple crisp recipe gluten free, substitute the AP flour with any cup-for-cup variety of gluten free all-purpose flour. Popular brands are made by Bob's Red Mill and King Arthur Flour.
- cinnamon - For an extra punch of fall flavor, use apple pie spice! It's a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- cornstarch: We don't recommend substituting this ingredient, but if you absolutely need to, use 2 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour for every 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Add Ins: I think this would be delicious with chopped pecans in it. You can also add in other fruit like pears or berries!
How to Make an Apple Crisp Without Oats
This is a summary only. The complete recipe instructions are in the card at the bottom of this post ⬇️
- Prepare the apple crisp filling. Start by peeling and slicing the apples. Keep the slices as consistent in size as possible; about ¼-inch thick is good.
- Add sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Either use a spoon or your clean hands to toss the fruit. Be sure to coat all of the apple slices.
- Pour the filling into a greased baking dish.
- Make the crumble topping. Because this is an apple crisp recipe without oats, the streusel topping will be softer.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple crisp filling.
- Bake. Place the baking dish on the center rack of a preheated 350°F. oven. Bake for 40 minutes, until the apple crisp filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
Liz's Tips for the Best Results
- Use good quality, medium-sized baking apples. When the fruit is too large, the flesh becomes a bit mealy.
- Peel the apples. Taking a few extra minutes to peel the fruit makes a big difference in the mouthfeel and texture of the dessert.
- Don't over bake it. The topping on a crisp should be golden brown. If you bake it too long, it can be burn and/or the streusel can be very dry.
Storage
Storing: After the apple crumble is cool, you can cover it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up 5 days.
Freezing: You can also freeze the dessert for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and keep it in an airtight container. Thaw completely before enjoying.
Reheating: If you have leftover apple crisp, it's best to reheat it in the oven or toaster oven. The microwave will work but it won't be as crispy.
📖Important Tip From Liz
Freezing an apple crisp can result in a softer texture of the apples and topping after thawing. If you freeze your dessert, I recommend reheating it in the oven to help re-crisp the crumb topping!
How to Serve Apple Crisp
Ice Cream - Place a large scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the warm fruit crisp.
Whipped Cream - Adding a dollop of homemade sweetened whipped cream is my personal favorite!
Caramel or Butterscotch Sauce - Drizzle a bit of butterscotch or caramel sauce on top for some extra sweetness!
Other Easy Fruit Dessert Recipes
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (Without Oats)
Ingredients
- 4 cups peeled, sliced apples about 5 medium apples
- 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the Topping
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup salted butter melted (1 stick)
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. and grease an 8x8 baking dish.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples.
- In a large bowl combine apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ tablespoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Stir until coated
- In a small bowl, make the streusel topping. Combine sugar, melted butter, flour, cinnamon and baking powder with your hands or a whisk until a crumbly texture forms.
- Sprinkle large crumbles over the apple mixture .
- Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!
Helpful Notes and Tips From Liz
- Serve with vanilla ice cream - Vanilla ice cream is a classic favorite when it comes to being served with homemade apple cobbler. I usually do one big scoop per serving of apple cobbler. The mixture of the warm apples and the cold ice cream is otherworldly.
- Add a dollop of homemade sweetened whipped cream.
- Top with icing - Mix one cup powdered sugar and a tablespoon of milk together and drizzle it over the top. This adds a delicate yet delicious icing to your cobbler. You can even add the icing to individual servings instead of the entire thing, if desired.
Anne
I needed a really quick recipe for a dessert tonight and I found this one. It was AMAZING. I had both whipped cream and vanilla ice cream and both paired very well with this. My family absolutely loved it. I used Gala apples and they worked well. Next time I will double the recipe because it disappeared SO fast!!
Katie
Delicious and very easy to make! Thank you. It came with many praises when served.
Liz Marino
So glad you liked it, Katie!
Carol Leach
I think you mean tsp for cinnamon, not tablespoon
Liz Marino
No, it's tablespoon!
Debbie
If I use canned apple pie filling should I still cook it for the full time? Or is it for the apples to cook?
Liz Marino
I've never made it with canned apple filling. I would try cooking it for half the time and seeing if it starts to brown on the top. The cook time is partially for the apples but the topping also needs to crisp in the oven. Without trying it I can't be sure exactly - I'm sorry!
Helen @ family-friends-food.com
This looks wonderful! I love apple desserts now it's nearly autumn and this is definitely one to make. Thanks!
Chris Collins
Apple cobbler is such a classic and your version looks beyond delicious 🙂
Alexandra
We love cobblers. And this is such a great version! A comforting dessert 🙂
Caroline
Such a classic, comforting dessert, perfect for fall.
Amanda
What a delicious cobbler! The topping is perfectly crisp, and the apple filling has just the right spice.