Irresistibly Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (No Oats!) for Cozy Fall & Winter Nights

As the days shorten and a crisp chill fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of baked apples and cinnamon drifting through your home. Apple season truly guides us through the cooler months, offering the perfect excuse to indulge in warm, nostalgic treats. Today, I’m thrilled to share my absolute favorite apple crisp recipe with you – a delightful version that foregoes oats for an even more satisfyingly buttery, crunchy topping. It’s incredibly quick to prepare and pairs exquisitely with a scoop of tangy sour cream ice cream, though classic vanilla or whipped cream are equally divine.

This classic apple crisp is more than just a dessert; it’s a warm embrace on a chilly evening. Its tender, perfectly spiced apple filling, crowned with a rich, buttery, and incredibly crunchy topping, makes it an undeniable hit for any occasion. It’s a cherished addition to Thanksgiving spreads, a sumptuous highlight on any Christmas menu, and truly perfect for a hearty, comforting meal throughout the fall and winter months. Get ready to fill your home with the intoxicating scent of baked apples and create a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds. Ready to embrace the magic of fall with this irresistible treat? Let’s dive in!

🍏 Don’t forget! September 21st is International Eat an Apple Day! 🍎

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Crisp (No Oats!)

There are countless reasons why this particular apple crisp recipe stands out, especially if you’re not a fan of oats or simply prefer a different texture in your crumble. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your home:

• Effortlessly Simple: With minimal prep and straightforward instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. You can have it in the oven in under 15 minutes!
• Unrivaled Crumbly Topping: Unlike traditional oat-filled crisps, our topping focuses on a pure, buttery, and incredibly crunchy flour-based crumble. It creates a satisfying textural contrast with the soft apple filling that is simply divine.
• Perfectly Spiced Apple Filling: The combination of tart apples, brown sugar, and aromatic cinnamon creates a warm, inviting, and perfectly balanced sweet-tart filling. The apples bake down to tender perfection without becoming mushy.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: While it’s a showstopper for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s also easy enough for a weeknight dessert. It brings a touch of cozy elegance to any meal.
• Year-Round Comfort: Though apples are traditionally a fall fruit, this crisp offers comfort throughout the cooler months, making it a staple from September through March.

🥘 Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Apple Crisp

Creating an exceptional apple crisp starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of tender fruit and golden, crunchy topping. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

For the Apple Filling: Sweet & Spiced Perfection

• Apples: The star of the show! For the best apple crisp, it’s crucial to choose apples that will hold their shape during baking and offer a pleasant tartness to balance the sweetness of the crumble.
  • Recommended varieties: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, or even a mix. Granny Smith apples are particularly excellent for their firm texture and tart flavor, which prevents the filling from becoming overly sweet or mushy. Honeycrisp offers a delightful crunch even after baking, while Braeburn provides a good balance of sweet and tart. Opt for large, firm apples.
  • Preparation: Washing, peeling, and thinly slicing your apples ensures they cook evenly and become wonderfully tender.
• Brown Sugar: This provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness that beautifully complements the apples and contributes to their tender texture.
  • Choice: Both light and dark brown sugar work well. Dark brown sugar will lend a richer, more molasses-like flavor to the filling, enhancing its autumn appeal.
  • Quantity: The recipe suggests 2-3 tablespoons, allowing you to adjust based on the sweetness of your chosen apples and your personal preference.
• Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apples, cinnamon enhances their natural flavor and adds that signature warm, inviting aroma to your crisp.
  • Type: For the most robust and aromatic flavor, consider using freshly ground Ceylon cinnamon. It’s known for its delicate, sweet, and complex profile, and it contains very little coumarin (a natural compound found in common cassia cinnamon, which some prefer to limit).

For the Buttery Crumble Topping: The Crisp in Apple Crisp

• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base and structure of our beloved crumble topping. It ensures a classic, finely textured crisp that browns beautifully.
• Butter, Softened: Softened butter is key to achieving the perfect crumbly texture. It mixes easily with the dry ingredients, creating those delightful buttery clumps that bake into a golden, crunchy topping.
  • Tip: If you forget to take your butter out in advance, you can quickly soften it in the microwave. Be careful to only soften it (a few seconds on low power usually does the trick) and not melt it completely, as fully melted butter will result in a greasy, rather than crumbly, topping.
• Brown Sugar: Just like in the filling, brown sugar in the topping contributes sweetness and helps create that desirable crisp texture as it bakes and caramelizes.
  • Depth of flavor: Using dark brown sugar here will deepen the flavor profile of the crumble, adding a rich, slightly molasses note that pairs wonderfully with the spiced apples.
• Salt: A small pinch of salt is essential. It might seem insignificant, but it perfectly balances the sweetness of the sugars and enhances all the other flavors in the crumble, preventing it from tasting flat. Use fine sea salt for even distribution.

For exact quantities, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions: Baking Your Perfect Apple Crisp

Creating this apple crisp is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious result:

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven for Baking

Preheat your oven to 175°C (347°F). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your crisp goes in, promoting even baking and a perfectly golden topping.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

Wash, peel, and thinly slice your chosen apples. Aim for slices of uniform thickness to ensure they cook evenly. Arrange the sliced apples in an even layer in a casserole or baking dish. This helps them tenderize consistently.

Step 3: Season the Apples

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together until well combined. Sprinkle about half of this aromatic mixture evenly over the layer of sliced apples. This initial seasoning begins to infuse the apples with sweet and spicy flavors.

Step 4: Create the Buttery Crumble Topping

In a separate mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, softened butter, the remaining brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Use your hands to knead the ingredients together. This is the best way to break down the butter and integrate it with the dry ingredients, forming delightful, irregular crumbs. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on low speed for convenience, mixing until a coarse, crumbly dough forms. Avoid overmixing; some small clumps of butter are desirable for extra crispiness.

Step 5: Assemble the Crisp

Evenly distribute the crumbly topping mixture over the seasoned apples in the casserole dish. Don’t press it down too firmly; a loose distribution will help it crisp up better. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle the remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture over the crumble topping. This will create a beautiful caramelized crust.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the casserole in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it! The crisp is ready when the apples are tender (you can test by gently piercing with a knife) and the topping has turned a beautiful golden brown and looks wonderfully crunchy. The edges should be bubbling gently.

Step 7: Serve Warm and Enjoy!

Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven – this helps the flavors meld and prevents it from being too hot to enjoy. Serve it warm, ideally with a generous scoop of sour cream ice cream for a unique tangy contrast. If sour cream ice cream isn’t available, classic vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream are equally fantastic complements to this comforting dessert. A sprinkle of extra cinnamon on top can also add a nice finishing touch.

🍽 Essential Equipment for Your Kitchen

To whip up this delightful apple crisp, you won’t need an extensive array of specialized kitchen gadgets. Here’s a list of the basic tools that will make your baking experience smooth and enjoyable:

• Cutting board & sharp knife: Essential for safely and efficiently peeling and slicing your apples into uniform pieces.
• Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least two – one for the apple filling mixture and another for the crumble topping ingredients.
• Optional: Kitchen machine (stand mixer or food processor): While not strictly necessary, a kitchen machine can make mixing the crumble topping faster and less messy, ensuring uniform crumb consistency. However, mixing by hand is perfectly fine and often preferred for a more rustic texture.
• Casserole or baking dish: A standard 8×8 or 9×13 inch baking dish (depending on how many servings you need) is ideal. Make sure it’s oven-safe and large enough to hold the apples and crumble comfortably.

Variations & Substitutions to Customize Your Crisp

This classic apple crisp recipe is fantastic as is, but it also serves as an excellent canvas for your creativity! Feel free to experiment with these variations to make it your own:

• Add Other Fruits: While it’s an apple crisp, you can easily incorporate other fruits. Pears, berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries), or even chopped cranberries can add extra flavor and color. Try a 2:1 apple to berry ratio.
• Spice it Up: Beyond cinnamon, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ground ginger to the apple filling for a more complex spice profile, especially during the holidays. A touch of cardamom can also be lovely.
• Nutty Topping: For added crunch and flavor, mix ¼ to ½ cup of chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds) into the crumble topping.
• Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of lemon or orange zest tossed with the apples can brighten the flavor and add a subtle zing.
• Caramel Drizzle: A warm drizzle of homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the top before serving takes this dessert to an indulgent new level.
• Gluten-Free Option: To make this crisp gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour in the crumble topping with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum for optimal texture.
• Vegan Adaptation: For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter substitute in the crumble topping.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Planning ahead or dealing with delicious leftovers? Here’s how to store your apple crisp and even prepare it in advance:

• Storing Leftovers: Once cooled, cover the apple crisp tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, simply scoop individual servings into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30-60 seconds until warm. For a crispier topping, reheat the entire dish (uncovered) in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping has re-crisped.
• Freezing: You can freeze baked apple crisp for longer storage. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as directed above.
• Make-Ahead Tips:
  • Apple Filling: You can peel and slice the apples and toss them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Crumble Topping: The crumble topping can also be prepared ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 1 month. If frozen, you can sprinkle it directly over the apples from frozen.
  • Assemble and Bake Later: You can fully assemble the crisp (apples with topping) and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some common questions about making the perfect apple crisp:

• Why is my apple crisp topping not crispy? This could be due to several reasons: the butter might have been too soft or melted when mixed, leading to a greasy topping; the oven temperature might have been too low; or the crisp wasn’t baked long enough. Ensure your butter is softened but not melted, and bake until the topping is visibly golden brown and firm.
• How do I know when the apple crisp is done? The apples should be tender when pierced with a knife, and the topping should be golden brown and firm to the touch. You might also see the apple juices bubbling up around the edges of the dish.
• My apples are too watery/soggy. What went wrong? This usually happens if the apples release too much liquid. Ensure you use firm, tart apples, as sweeter, softer varieties can turn watery. Tossing the sliced apples with a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch before baking can help absorb excess moisture. Also, don’t overcrowd your baking dish.
• Can I use frozen apples? Yes, you can use frozen sliced apples. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before using them in the recipe. They might be slightly softer in texture than fresh apples.
• What kind of dish should I use? A ceramic or glass baking dish (like an 8×8 or 9×13 inch casserole dish) is ideal. The material helps distribute heat evenly, ensuring a perfectly baked crisp.

If you try this delightful apple crisp recipe, I would absolutely love to hear from you! Please let me know how you liked it by giving it a ★★★★★ star rating and leaving a comment below. Your feedback is truly awesome and helps others discover these great recipes! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive a weekly dose of delicious homemade recipes, or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your beautiful creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don’t miss it!

📖 Recipe Card: Easy Apple Crisp (No Oats)

Easy Apple Crisp (No Oats)

Nora

This easy apple crisp combines tender, spiced apples with a buttery, crunchy topping that contains no oats, making it the perfect cozy dessert for fall and winter. Serve it warm with sour cream ice cream or vanilla ice cream for an irresistible treat.

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Baking Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Sweet main course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 245 kcal

Equipment

• Cutting board & Sharp knife
• Mixing bowls
• Kitchen machine optional
• Casserole

Ingredients

 

 

For the apple filling

• 3 Apples large, tart ones will do the trick (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn)
• 2-3 tablespoon Brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon Cinnamon preferably Ceylon for best flavor

For the crumble topping

• ½ cup All-Purpose Flour 1.76 oz
• 2 ½ tablespoon Butter softened, not melted
• 2 ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 1 pinch Salt fine sea salt recommended

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 175°C (347°F).
• Wash, peel, and thinly slice the 3 Apples. Arrange them in an even layer in a casserole or baking dish.
  3 Apples
• Mix 2-3 tablespoon Brown sugar and ½ teaspoon Cinnamon together. Sprinkle half of this mixture over the apples.
  2-3 tablespoon Brown sugar, ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
• In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup AP Flour, 2 ½ tablespoon softened Butter, 2 ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar, and 1 pinch Salt. Knead the ingredients with your hands or use a mixer until they form a crumbly dough.
  ½ cup AP Flour, 2 ½ tablespoon Butter, 2 ½ tablespoon Brown Sugar, 1 pinch Salt
• Distribute the crumbly topping evenly over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture on top for extra flavor.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
• Serve warm with a scoop of sour cream ice cream. If you don’t have sour cream ice cream, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream also pairs nicely.

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Keywords apple casserole, Apple crisp, apple crisp without oatmeal, easy apple crisp, fall dessert, winter dessert, homemade apple crisp, classic dessert

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Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 293IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

⛑️ Important Food Safety Guidelines

Ensuring food safety is crucial when preparing any meal. Please keep these general guidelines in mind for a safe and enjoyable cooking experience:

• Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) for any ingredients requiring it, although for this dessert, the main concern is fully tender apples and a baked topping.
• Avoid using the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw ingredients without proper washing.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling any raw ingredients.
• Do not leave perishable food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods (typically no more than two hours).
• Never leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop or in the oven.
• When pan-frying or sautéing (not applicable to this recipe, but good general advice), use oils with high smoking points to prevent the formation of harmful compounds.
• Always ensure good ventilation when using a gas stove or oven to prevent the buildup of fumes.

For further comprehensive information and best practices, please check the Safe Food Handling – FDA guidelines.