That first cool breeze of autumn always seems to carry a whisper of cinnamon and baked apples, doesn’t it? For me, it instantly sparks a craving for a warm, comforting dessert. While many reach for the classic oat-topped crisp, I’ve found that an Apple Crisp No Oats version can be just as soul-satisfying, if not more so, with its uniquely buttery, slightly crunchy, and tender streusel topping.
This Apple Crisp No Oats is a celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special. It’s the kind of dessert that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma, drawing everyone in to see what’s baking. Perfect for a cozy Sunday afternoon, a festive holiday gathering, or simply when you need a sweet pick-me-up, this recipe is wonderfully straightforward. My family has a particular fondness for this version because the topping gets this incredible texture – a delightful contrast to the soft, spiced apples. It’s a recipe born from needing an oat-free option but quickly became a preferred favorite.
This Apple Crisp No Oats recipe delivers all the comforting flavors you adore, with a simple, buttery topping that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s a classic for a reason, and this particular twist makes it accessible and delightful for even more people.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of sweet and tart apples, warm spices, and a rich, buttery topping is simply divine. This Apple Crisp No Oats doesn’t skimp on flavor.
- Wonderfully Oat-Free: Perfect for those with oat sensitivities or anyone who prefers a smoother, more cookie-like crumble topping.
- Quick & Easy to Prep: With straightforward steps, you can have this dessert in the oven in no time, making it ideal for busy days.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight treat, a potluck contribution, or a holiday dessert, this Apple Crisp No Oats fits the bill.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by both kids and adults, it’s a guaranteed hit!
This recipe is fantastic for home cooks looking for a reliable and delicious dessert, especially those needing an oat-free alternative. It’s also a great starting point for beginner bakers due to its simplicity.
Ingredients for Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful Apple Crisp No Oats.
Core Ingredients
- For the Apple Filling:
- 4-5 medium apples (I love using a mix: 2 Granny Smith for tartness and 2 sweeter apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala. This blend creates a wonderful depth of flavor.)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (This prevents browning and adds a touch of brightness.)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (Light or dark brown sugar works well.)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (This helps to thicken the apple juices, creating a lovely saucy filling.)
- Pinch of kosher salt (Salt balances the sweetness.)
- For the Oat-Free Topping:
- 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (The backbone of our delicious oat-free crumble.)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (Freshly grated makes a huge difference, but a pinch of ground nutmeg works too!)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, cold and diced (It’s crucial that the butter is cold for the right topping texture.)
Substitutions and Tips
- Apples: If you don’t have a mix, using all of one type is fine. Consider the sweetness level and adjust sugar if needed. Pears can also be substituted for a delightful twist.
- Flour: For a gluten-free Apple Crisp No Oats, substitute the all-purpose flour with a good quality gluten-free all-purpose blend that contains xanthan gum.
- Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. A pinch of cardamom or allspice can add a lovely warmth.
- Brown Sugar: If you’re out of brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar, though brown sugar adds a lovely molasses flavor.
- Butter: If you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt in the topping slightly.
Best Type of Apples to Use
For any apple crisp, and especially this Apple Crisp No Oats, the choice of apples is key. You’re looking for apples that will hold their shape when baked, preventing a mushy filling, and offer a good balance of sweet and tart flavors.
My top recommendation is to use a combination of apples.
- Granny Smith apples are fantastic for their tartness and firm texture; they don’t break down too much during baking.
- Pair them with sweeter, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn. These add natural sweetness and a softer, but still pleasant, texture.
Viable Alternatives:
- Jonagold: Holds its shape well, with a nice sweet-tart balance.
- Cortland: Another good baking apple that resists browning and stays relatively firm.
- Avoid softer apples like McIntosh or Red Delicious on their own, as they tend to become too mushy. If you only have these, you might reduce the baking time slightly for the filling.
Using a variety creates a more complex and interesting flavor profile in your Apple Crisp No Oats.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need anything too fancy to make a fantastic Apple Crisp No Oats.
Must-Have Tools
- 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch baking dish (A deeper dish is better to contain all the deliciousness.)
- Large mixing bowl (for the apples)
- Medium mixing bowl (for the topping)
- Peeler, corer (or a sharp knife and cutting board)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pastry blender or your fingertips (for cutting in the butter)
- Spatula
Nice-to-Have Extras
- Apple slicer/corer (for speed)
- Microplane grater (for fresh nutmeg)
- Serving spoon or spatula
How to Make Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats

Follow these simple steps to create the most amazing Apple Crisp No Oats.
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Have your baking dish nearby; no need to grease it.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and slice your apples into about ¼ to ½ inch thick slices. Chef’s Tip: Uniform slices ensure even baking. Place the sliced apples in a large mixing bowl. Add the fresh lemon juice and toss gently to coat – this brightens the flavor and prevents browning. Then, stir in the vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and pinch of kosher salt. Mix until the apples are evenly coated. The cornstarch might look a bit powdery at first, but it will dissolve as the apples release their juices. Pour this apple mixture into your baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Step 3: Make the Oat-Free Topping
In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of light brown sugar, 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg (if using), and a pinch of kosher salt. Add the cold, diced butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Pro Tip: Don’t overmix; those little butter pieces are key to a tender, slightly flaky topping for your Apple Crisp No Oats.
Step 4: Assemble the Crisp
Evenly sprinkle the topping mixture over the apples in the baking dish. Don’t pack it down; a loose topping allows for better crisping.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. You should be able to easily pierce the apples with a knife. The aroma filling your kitchen will be heavenly! If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Step 6: Cool Slightly and Serve
Once baked, remove the Apple Crisp No Oats from the oven and let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken up a bit. This dessert is best served warm. Imagine a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into that warm, spiced apple goodness – pure bliss!
Tips for Success
- Use Cold Butter: For the topping, ensure your butter is very cold and diced. This is crucial for achieving that perfect crumbly, tender texture that makes this Apple Crisp No Oats so special. Warm butter will result in a greasy, dense topping.
- Don’t Overwork the Topping: Mix the topping ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough topping rather than a light and crumbly one.
- Balance Your Apples: A mix of tart and sweet apples creates the most dynamic flavor profile. Granny Smith apples are excellent for tartness and holding their shape.
- Allow it to Rest: Letting the Apple Crisp No Oats sit for at least 10-15 minutes after baking allows the juices to thicken properly. Serving it piping hot might result in a runnier filling.
- Check for Doneness: The topping should be a beautiful golden brown, and the apple filling should be bubbly. Gently poke an apple with a fork or knife; it should be tender.
How to Store Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
Proper storage ensures your Apple Crisp No Oats stays delicious.
- Room Temperature: You can store leftover apple crisp, loosely covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days. Ensure it has cooled completely before covering.
- In the Refrigerator: For longer storage, cover the cooled apple crisp tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven. To reheat in the oven, place it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps to re-crisp the topping.
- Freezing Tips: Yes, you can freeze this Apple Crisp No Oats! Bake as directed and allow it to cool completely. Cover the baking dish tightly with a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat from Frozen: Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Then, bake uncovered in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping is crisp. You can also bake it directly from frozen, but it will take longer, around 45-60 minutes; cover with foil for the first half of baking to prevent the topping from burning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this Apple Crisp No Oats gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour in the topping with a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (one that includes xanthan gum). The results are fantastic!
What’s the best way to serve Apple Crisp No Oats?
This dessert is divine served warm! A scoop of vanilla ice cream is classic, but a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce also takes it to the next level.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the Apple Crisp No Oats (both the filling and the topping separately or fully assembled) up to a day in advance. Store the filling and topping in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator, or store the fully assembled crisp (unbaked) covered in the fridge. If assembled, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
My topping isn’t crispy, what went wrong?
This could be due to a few things: the butter might not have been cold enough, the topping might have been overmixed, or there might be too much moisture from the apples making the topping soggy. Ensure your butter is very cold, mix the topping minimally, and sometimes, placing it under the broiler for a minute or two (watch carefully!) at the end can help crisp it up.
Can I use other fruits with this oat-free topping?
Definitely! This topping is versatile. It would be delicious with peaches, berries, pears, or a combination of fruits. Adjust the filling seasonings and thickener as needed based on the fruit’s natural sweetness and juiciness.
Conclusion
When a comforting, easy, and utterly delicious dessert is what you crave, this Apple Crisp No Oats is an absolute winner. The tender, spiced apples bubbling beneath a perfectly buttery, oat-free crumble topping create a truly memorable treat. Whether you’re accommodating a dietary preference or simply looking for a delightful twist on a classic, this Apple Crisp No Oats recipe is sure to become a treasured favorite in your home baking repertoire. Enjoy every warm, delicious bite!