Nothing says cozy like a warm dish of old fashioned apple crisp fresh from the oven. This is Grandma’s apple crisp recipe without oats, made the simple way with apples, cinnamon, sugar, and a buttery crumble topping.
The filling is tender and tart while the crisp topping bakes golden and slightly crunchy. It’s one of those classic desserts that never goes out of style. I can still remember my grandma pulling her apple crisp out of the oven and serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream - it always felt like home.
What You Need to Know
- The topping is buttery and crumbly with just the right amount of sweetness.
- Slice your apples thin so they cook evenly and soften without turning mushy.
- Apple crisp can be prepped ahead and baked right before serving.
- For a lighter twist, reduce the sugar or use a mix of white and brown sugar.
Ingredients Overview
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this no-oats apple crisp:
- Apples (10 cups, tart varieties) - Granny Smith, Jonagold, or Braeburn are perfect for baking.
- Salt - Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- Flour (¾ cup) - Forms the crisp topping.
- Sugar (1 cup, white or brown) - Brown sugar adds a deeper caramel flavor.
- Cold salted butter (⅓ cup) - Cut into the flour and sugar for that crumbly texture.
- Cinnamon (1 tsp) - The warm spice that makes it taste like fall.
How to Make Grandma’s Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cold butter, and cinnamon. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or clean hands to work it into pea-sized crumbles.
Step 3: Peel, core, and slice the apples thin. Place them into a baking dish and sprinkle lightly with salt.
Step 4: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
Step 5: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and, if you like, a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Grandma’s Tips
- Always use cold butter for the topping so it stays crumbly, not greasy.
- Mix apple varieties for the best flavor balance between sweet and tart.
Modern Updates
- Swap half the sugar for maple syrup or honey for a natural sweetener twist.
- Make it gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
More Old Fashioned Dessert Recipes
- Easy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
- Old Fashioned Cherry Dump Cake
- Old Fashioned Carrot Cake Bundt Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake with Yogurt
- Pistachio Pudding Bundt Cake from Scratch
FAQs
What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
Apple crisp has a crumbly topping made with flour, butter, and sugar, while a crumble often includes oats or nuts.
What apples are best for apple crisp without oats?
Tart baking apples like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Jonagold hold their shape and balance the sweetness.
Can you make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the crisp and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours. Bake it just before serving.
How do you keep apple crisp from getting soggy?
Use firm apples, slice them thin, and bake until the topping is golden and crisp. Let it cool slightly before serving so it sets.
Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cold butter, and cinnamon. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or clean hands to work it into pea-sized crumbles.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples thin. Place them into a baking dish and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and, if you like, a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- Use cold butter so the topping stays crumbly instead of turning into a soft dough.
- For the best flavor, combine 2–3 varieties of tart baking apples.
- You can easily cut the recipe in half and bake it in a 9x9-inch pan.
- Mixing apple types gives a nice balance of sweet and tart in every bite.
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