How to Make Cinnamon Apple Crisp (No Oats Recipe)

Fall is in full force, making it the perfect time for this cinnamon apple crisp recipe.

Warm and cozy, it’s got tender apples that are baked until bubbling underneath a golden brown topping that is simply heavenly! 

Since we are not using oats in this recipe, the topping has an amazing streusel-like texture that’s buttery, crumbly and all-around amazing.

This easy apple crisp calls for simple ingredients and a quick process, making it great for beginner bakers. 

Ingredients

There are two components to this easy recipe: the filling and the topping. Here’s what you’ll need:

The Filling

• Apples. Go for tart apples or sweet-tart apples like Braeburn, Pink Lady, Cortland or Granny Smith apples. 
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Cornstarch
• Lemon juice

The Topping

• All purpose flour or gluten free flour
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Salt

How to Make this No Oats Apple Crisp

Make the Filling

First, peel and slice your apples.

Then, toss them in the sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch and lemon juice. Now, transfer the apple mixture to a baking dish. 

Make the Topping

Start by melting the butter in a large bowl.

Then, add to the bowl the flour, brown sugar, white sugar and salt. The mixture will become clumpy. Then just sprinkle it over the apples. 

Bake the Apple Crisp

Now, pop the baking dish in the oven. Your apple crisp will come out golden brown and bubbling.

Be sure to let it sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before you serve it. 

Watch how to make Cinnamon Apple Crisp!

Serving Suggestions

1. A la mode: It goes without saying that a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes all apple desserts better! So go ahead and top your warm apple crisp with a cool scoop. 

2. A drizzle of this or that: to take the decadence over the top, try a drizzle of caramel sauce or even maple syrup. 

3. Whipped topping: a dollop of Cool Whip or a swirl of whipped cream are the perfect finishing touch for this homemade apple crisp. 

Variations

Try these twists on this classic fall dessert to find your favorite: 

1. The fruit: Swap out the apples for pears, or try adding cranberries to the apple mixture for added tartness. 

2. Go nuts: For extra crunch, try adding crushed pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture. 

3. The spices: For the adventurous, try adding nutmeg or cardamom to the filling mixture for more flavor dimension and warmth. 

Make Ahead/Storage Instructions

Make Ahead Instructions: Assemble the apple crisp entirely, then cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator. Bake it fresh when you’re ready to serve it. 

Storage and Reheating: Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container or in a covered baking dish in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Reheat it in a warm oven to restore the crispy texture of the topping.

What are the best apples for apple crisp? 

Here are your best bets for a delicious apple crisp:

1. Granny Smith Apples: These tart apples are a popular choice for baking because their firm texture and tangy flavor add a very cool contrast to the sweet filling.
2. Cortland: This slightly tart apple offers a great balance to the sweet filling ingredients.
3. Braeburn: Braeburn apples have a nice balance of sweet and tart, making them a versatile choice for apple crisp recipes.
4. Pink Lady Apples: Easy to find in most grocery stores, these apples are sweet-tart and firm so they won’t get mushy during baking.

What is the difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble? 

Although a crisp and a crumble are very similar desserts, there are a couple of distinct differences.

First, a crisp topping usually includes oats while a crumble topping does not.

Second, a crumble topping more closely resembles streusel, while a crisp topping is more crusty. 

Why is my apple crisp not crunchy?

A crisp topping without oats is already going to be at a disadvantage, because it’s the oats that help create that crunchy topping.

But, this apple crisp topping will still be crunchy because of the other key ingredient: melted butter. 

A crisp topping gets soft when you use cold butter and work it into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or fork.

But if you create the topping using melted butter, it will sit nicely on top of the fruit filling and form a nice crust during baking. 

Will this recipe work using gluten free flour? 

Yes, this recipe will work using gluten free flour as long as it is a 1:1 gluten free flour blend.

My favorite brand is Cup4Cup.

When you make this no-oats apple crisp recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more apple desserts, try these: 

• Puff Pastry Apple Dumplings with Streusel Topping
• Mini Apple Pie Recipe (Single Serving Pies)
• Warm Apple Crostata Recipe