I love warm cooked apples.
And it is no surprise that this deliciously warm and toasty cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats is one of my favorites, especially when the weather turns to autumn.
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Delicious Apple Crisp Without Oats
Apple Crisp is one of those classic no-fuss desserts that everyone should have in their recipe book. The good news is that this delicious recipe is very easy to make and takes around half an hour to prepare.
If you have never tried an apple crisp before, or looking for a traditional apple crisp recipe without oats, you are in the right place! With warm and sweet apple filling and nutty and crumbly topping, this recipe will be your new favorite dessert recipe.
Not to mention the amazing smell of a combination of sugar, cinnamon, and butter in your kitchen when the apple crisp is in the oven!
Why This Recipe Works?
- It's a very simple recipe to follow with step-by-step pictures and instructions.
- This delicious and warm Apple Crisp is ready in only 45 minutes.
- Apple Crisp Without Oatmeals is a perfect addition to a weeknight dinner or a Sunday lunch. You can prep it a couple of days in advance and cook it when needed.
- All you need is a few simple ingredients you might already have in hand for this classic fall dessert.
- This no-fuss cinnamon Apple Crisp recipe is much quicker and easier than an Apple Pie but tastes just as good.
What Apples Are Best For Apple Crisp
It is often difficult to choose the right one among hundreds of apple varieties.
For this recipe, I recommend using slightly sour cooking apples such as Braeburn, Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, Bramley, and Cox's. I sometimes use Gala apples for extra sweetness and some texture.
The type of apple you want to use depends on how sweet or sour you want your crumble. Simply make sure you pick the apples that don't fall apart when cooking.
Peeling or No Peeling
I personally don't like the peelings in my Apple Crisp and I don't mind the extra few minutes that add up to my prep time.
However, it is a personal choice, and this Apple Crisp Without Oats would still taste amazing if you cook the apples with their skin on. Simply wash your apples thoroughly before slicing them.
Ingredients You'll Need
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
- Apples - Cooking apples such as granny smith, Bramley, honey crisp, or other semi-sour apples work great with apple crumble.
- Brown Sugar - You can substitute it with muscovado, Demerara, or white sugar. Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste and the apples you use.
- Cinnamon - I love adding cinnamon to apples to intensify the flavor. You can omit it or use vanilla instead.
- Walnuts - Baking with nuts is a great way to add flavor and texture to your crumble. Use pecan nuts if you prefer. Lightly toast them for a more intense flavor before adding them to your baked goods.
- Lemon Juice - It prevents oxidation of the apples as well as adds some acidity to the apple filling.
- All Purpose Flour - Also known as plain flour. It is perfect for making cakes, cookies, pastries, and thickening sauces.
- Unsalted Butter - Cut them into small cubes and make sure they are cold before mixing them with the flour.
- Vanilla paste - I use organic vanilla bean paste or extract for a deep and delicious vanilla flavor. Avoid using artificial vanilla for this recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this favorite fall dessert is surprisingly easy. And there are only a few simple tips and steps that you need to follow to achieve the best results:
Prepare the Apple Filling
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6 and prepare the apples. Peel and core the apples using an apple corer. Cut them in halves, then thinly slice or cut them into 3 cm- 1" sized cubes.
Place the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon stick, and lemon juice into a medium saucepan. Cook it on medium heat until the apple slices are slightly softened and the juice from the apples is reduced to a syrup consistency.
Adding half lemon juice to the apple mixture will balance the sweetness of the apple filling and give the apple crumble a nice dimension. Let the mixture cool down for 10 minutes.
Prepare the Crumble Topping
Cut the cold butter into small cubes and place in a large bowl with the flour. Rub them together with your fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs. It is essential to use the butter when it is still cold. This will make sure that your buttery crumble has that nice crunchy texture.
Add the sugar and walnuts (and vanilla if you wish) to the crumb and lightly rub the mixture with your fingertips until combined, without overworking it. Adding half of a vanilla bean to the crisp topping is not a must but I like adding it because it gives the crumble a nice smell.
Bake the Apple Crisp
Transfer the apple filling to a baking dish 20 cm x 30 cm (13" x 9"). Sprinkle the crumble over the apple filling and gently spread it using a silicon spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until it looks golden brown. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Top Tips From the Chef
- Opt for apples that hold their shape during baking. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn apples are good choices. Slice them evenly for even cooking.
- Whether you peel or don't peel your apples is totally up to you as long as you slice them evenly. This step is necessary to have your apples cooked evenly. Make sure you cook them until slightly al dente to avoid them getting mushy.
- Make sure the butter you use for the streusel topping is extremely cold. Work quickly while rubbing it with flour to avoid the butter getting soft.
- Like traditional apple crisp, serve your version warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
What's The Best Way to Serve Apple Crisp
Same as buttery and moist Easy Apple Crumb Cake and Puff Pastry Apple Pie, this delicious Apple Crisp Without Oats is best when served with warm homemade custard and/or a scoop of Homemade Turkish Ice Cream - Maras Dondurma.
It is scrumptious when served warm out of the oven but I also happily eat it cold out of the fridge or at room temperature for breakfast!
Storage and Reheating
Storage
Allow the apple crisp to cool to room temperature before storing. You can store the leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to five days. However, the streusel topping will soften over time from the moisture in the apples.
I recommend not freezing apple crumble as the apples get soggy while thawing and the crumble loses its crunchy texture.
Reheating
You can eat the leftovers at room temperature, reheat them in the microwave, or reheat them in an oven. To reheat them in an oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the apple crisp directly in the oven. Reheat the apple crisp for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
The exact time may vary based on your oven and the size of the portion. For a crisper topping, you can place the apple crisp under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of reheating.
Recipe Variations
- Combine apples with other fruits like pears, berries, or peaches for a medley of flavors. Adjust sweetness and spices accordingly.
- Experiment with spices like cardamom, ginger, or cloves in the filling or topping for a unique twist on classic flavors.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples before adding the topping for a rich and indulgent caramel apple experience.
- Incorporate shredded coconut into the topping mixture for a tropical twist and added texture.
Recipe FAQs
Apple crumble is a baked fruit dessert with a layer of topping.
But unlike the crisp, the crumble topping does not include oats or nuts. Instead, a crumble topping is more like streusel, made with flour, sugar, and butter.
Yes, of course, you can make this delicious crisp with oats if you prefer. Simply replace half of the flour with oats and add the oats along with the sugar and walnuts.
If the topping is too dry, add a bit more melted butter.
If it's too wet, add a touch more flour until you achieve a crumbly consistency.
Yes, you can prepare the apple crisp in advance and refrigerate it before baking.
Add the topping just before baking to maintain its texture.
Related Recipes
For other great apple dessert recipes why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below, tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram, and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making this amazing fall dessert "Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats" as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
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Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
Equipment
- 1 peeler
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 1.5 kgs apple
- 80 g brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ lemon juice
Crumble
- 120 g all purpose flour
- 60 g unsalted butter (cold)
- 50 g granulated (caster) sugar
- 100 g walnut (crushed)
- ½ vanilla stick (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Apple Filling
- Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.
- Peel and core the apples cut them in halves and slice them. Alternatively, you can cut them into 3 cm- 1" sized cubes.
- Place the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice into a medium-sized saucepan and cook it on medium heat until the apples are slightly softened and the juice from the apples is reduced to syrup.
- Let the mixture cool down for 10 minutes while preparing the crumble mixture.
Prepare the Streusel Topping
- Cut the butter into small cubes and place them in a mixing bowl with the flour and rub them together with your fingertips until it looks like bread crumbs.
- Add the sugar (and vanilla if you wish) to the crumb and lightly rub the mixture with your fingertips until combined, without overworking it.
Cook The Apple Crisp
- Transfer the apple filling into a 20cm x 30cm (8' x 12") baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crumble over the apple filling and spread it evenly, gently pressing with your fingertips.
- Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until it looks golden brown. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- You can serve it with either vanilla ice cream or custard (or both!).
Notes
- The type of apples you want to use depends on how sweet or sour you want your crumble. Simply make sure you pick the apples that don't fall apart when cooking.
- Make sure the butter you use for the streusel topping is extremely cold. Work quickly while rubbing it with flour to avoid the butter getting soft.
- Also, lightly rub the butter and flour with your fingertips until combined, without overworking it.
- Make sure to slice the apples evenly. This step is necessary to have them cooked evenly. Make sure you cook the apples until slightly al dente to avoid them getting mushy.
- You can make this delicious crisp with oats if you prefer so. Simply replace half of the flour with oats and add the oats along with the sugar and walnuts.
- You can store the leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to five days.
Nutrition
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Ayla
Amazing recipe so yummy and easy to do!
Janet
My mom never used oats . I lost her recipe long ago and have been looking for 20 years. NOW I have one Thank you!!!!!!
Ayla Clulee
Hi Janet,
I'm so glad you found the recipe you've been searching for after all these years! If you have any questions or need further assistance with the recipe, feel free to ask.
Best wishes 😊
Aylax