Grandma’s Apple Crisp is a timeless old fashioned recipe. It will warm your soul with juicy, tender apples, and a crisp, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth no-oats topping. Make it for an easy dessert or for a crowd-pleaser at your next party!
When I moved out of the Midwest to the East Coast, I hadn’t given much thought to all the little things I might not have access to anymore.
Sure, I was definitely going to miss my family, my friends, and the two cuddly cats I grew up with. But I didn’t think about the little things.
I was focused on what was to come: my first classroom as a teacher, a new city (Baltimore then North Carolina), and new friends.
I was so excited to leave the cold that I didn’t realize I might miss the distinct seasons and all that comes along with it.
And I never thought I’d miss apple orchards.
Apple orchards, apple cider, caramel apples... and most significantly of all, making apple crisp with freshly picked apple orchard apples.
I mean, is it just me or are there apple orchards everywhere in the Midwest?
Maybe it’s not just the Midwest, but it’s for sure not that way here right on the coast. And come fall, I feel it big time.
Growing up, Sundays in the fall were my favorite.
Sundays meant apple orchards, crisp cool air, hikes to look at the changing leaves, and ending the day with warm apple crisp, fresh out of the oven with a big scoop of ice cream. My happy place.
GOOD NEWS ALERT:
Even without apple orchards all around, I can still make warm, cinnamon-y, soul-satisfying easy apple crisp, just like my mom did when I was growing up.
Just like her mom did when she was growing up.
And just like her mom did when she was growing up.
And my happy place it continues to be.
The Origin of Grandma’s Apple Crisp Without Oats
This recipe goes a looooong way back in my family, and there are differing stories about how it came to be.
One story says it originated in my Great Grandparent’s restaurant in a little Iowan town. The second story is that my Grandma got it off of a sugar sack (yes, I said sack) many, many years ago. As she put it, “I’m 75 years old, so you know that was a long time ago.”
Either way, I couldn’t be more thankful for family heirlooms like these. It is the perfect apple crisp.
It’s like a big Grandma hug that fills your soul to the very top with comfort. It’s the best old-fashioned apple crisp out there.
The Recipe Evolution
Over the years, my mom has evolved this recipe and it’s what I’ve grown to love. Not just me either, it’s a favorite for everyone who’s tried it (not bias at all…).
She’s double the amount of buttery topping – obviously the only natural progression. More crisp butter topping, the better.
The key to this recipe is that there are no oats in the topping, just melt-in-your-mouth sugar, buttery goodness. The topping also only uses granulated sugar.
I honestly can’t eat apple crisp any other way now (and since this post was originally published, I’ve also created a summer favorite: Cherry Crisp, and Blueberry Almond Crisp).
Apple crisp without oats is my go-to now and forever. Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours, easy, best-ever apple crisp. Always.
The apple mixture under the melt-in-your-mouth topping are tender, tart, yet sweet, and sprinkled with just the right amount of cinnamon.
The combination is to die for.
Especially when you serve a huge scoop of apple crisp with an equally large scoop of vanilla ice cream. The birds begin to sing and the skies part. It’s THAT delicious.
How to Make Homemade No Oats Apple Crisp
- Slice the apples fairly thin. You don’t want them falling apart during the baking process because they’re too thin, or because of the apple type (photo 1).
- Also! Get apples that are best for baking. A sweet yet tart apple is best for flavor, too. I love Jonathan’s or Honeycrisp, but a good ol’ granny smith apple will work in a pinch.
- Mix the apples with sugar and cinnamon. A little water, too, to aid in mixing. Up your apple flavor and use a bit of cider. Do this right in your baking dish to save on dishes, too (photo 2).
- Use a separate mixing bowl and blend together the topping using a pastry cutter. A mixture of room temperature butter, flour, and sugar (photos 3-4).
- Gently press it on the apples and into the oven it goes (photos 5-6)!
- Bake until bubbly and golden brown.
There you have it – the easiest apple crisp recipe around.
The first bite of this heavenly dessert makes me forget about apple orchards and geography differences; it transports me right back to being 11 years old again on those Sunday nights, snuggled in and cozy, filled with all the love of the strong women in my family.
And it makes it okay that I had to buy the apples at a store rather than picking them myself (which in the end, is that really so bad?).
Run to the store, apple orchard, or your neighbors – grab them apples and get to choppin’! The best is yet to come!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Grandma’s Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 6-8 baking apples* approximately 10 cups sliced
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 Tablespoons butter room temperature and cubed
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Peel and slice apples into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices.
- Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large casserole dish or 9×9 baking dish*. Add sliced apples and mix well to coat apple slices completely.
- In a medium mixing bowl with a pie blender or two forks, combine flour, sugar, salt, and butter cubes until well combined and small crumbles form. Lightly pat topping over apples in baking dish.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, until bubbling and topping is golden brown. Cool slightly and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in October 2015. The photos were updated and a video added in October 2018. No changes to the actual recipe were made.
Brooxie
I made this earlier today and it the MOST DELICIOUS APPLE CRISP EVER!!! It is fabulous, thank you for sharing such a gem with us. I’ll never make apple pie again!
Becca
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Brooxie!
Trina Wargo
I have a topping for apple crisp i found in my old grange cookcook ‘this recipe called for oil instead of other things ‘this book is very old most ot the recipes are from scratch .. Recipes i never heard of ‘awesome book .the one i’ve been using was very simple ‘did you ever hear of one using oil ? There are so many out there ‘some i don’t like the taste . Will try this one .. Thanks for sharing with us …
Judith Anderson
Love it. Hate when recipe calls for oats. I used half cup white sugar and half cup brown. I also sprinkled nutmeg and cinnamon on top b/4 baking.
Becca
Love the adaptations! Glad you enjoyed, Judith!
Jo
This recipe could NOT be more amazingly perfect!!!!!!!
Tons of buttery topping!! Best Apple crisp I’ve EVER had….even better than my previous favorite at a local farm!!!
I added pecans, just because we love them, but no changes are necessary to this wonderful recipe.
I’d give it a hundred stars if I could!
Becca
I’m so glad you liked it, Jo! It’s my absolute favorite too! I’ll have to try the pecans next time – sounds yummy!
Jo
I can’t wait to make it again, and share it !!!! I’m printing the recipe right now for co-workers!!!
Also making a ton when my daughter graduates from high school in June for her big party.
Becca
I love it, Jo! What an awesome thing to hear! Thank you! 🙂
Sandra
WAY too sweet!!! Would be better with MUCH less sugar. At least half amount.
Becca
Sorry to hear it was too sweet for you!
Sue
Sounds like a great family dish! Looking forward to trying it! Recipe did not give the size of pan to use. Glass, metal or ceramic? Help!
Becca
Hi Sue! I suggest using a 9×13 in the step-by-step directions. I’ve made it in both glass and ceramic baking dishes, but would probably stay away from metal. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions! Enjoy!
Maria
BEST apple crisp ever!!! Made it today after apple picking yesterday. This is a DEFINITE for Thanksgiving dessert! Thanks for such a great recipe. (btw…I doubled the ingredients and STILL made it in a 9×13 glass dish. The result was a dessert that could feed MANY…LOL!! Still amazingly DELICIOUS!)
Becca
So happy to hear, Maria!! It’s my favorite post-apple orchard activity (eating this, that is ;)). You’ve inspired me to go for the double batch now! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Daniel
This really is the most sinful Apple crisp I’ve had! I have nothing against oatmeal in other recipes, but this really does taste like my grandma made it! Thank you for the recipe!
Becca
Sinful is spot on! 🙂 Thank you!
Pamela H
my great grandmother called a very similar version of this recipe English Apple Pie. It had a bottom layer too!. I will need to share her version, when I unpack it. Recently moved and not unpacked yet. It is simply the “best” ever.
Her ancestors were English.
Becca
That’s so special! There’s always something extra sweet about family recipes, isn’t there? <3 Thanks for sharing!
Anna
I just made this.
I did 1/2 white sugar and 1/2 brown sugar, and instead of all flour, I did 1/2c oats and added in 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and upped the butter amount to 14 tablespoons. It’s on top of the homemade cherry pie filling. So delicious.
Eddie
Sounds great..and your description sold me ! Can you give me a suggestion for using peaches ?
Becca
Hi Eddie! That sounds delicious. The peaches will likely release more liquid than the apples do, so you may want to reduce the sugar by half and leave out the water.
Audrey
Super easy and amazing. I would personally reduce the sugar a bit in the apple mixture if you want it a little more tart. The crisp has a good amount. Also, I added some pears with the apples and it was incredible. Don’t be afraid to throw in some more spices too. Cloves, nutmeg, and ginger are great additions.
Becca
Pears sound like a delicious addition, I can’t wait to try it next time! And yes, more spices are always good, too! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Anna Lauer
Absolutely amazing! So delicious, I made this because I had extra apples that I didn’t want to waste and I am so in love with it. Halved the recipe because I was low on flour and using what I had on hand, also used a mix of brown sugar and white. This is the perfect apple crisp and a great way tokick of the fall season
Becca
Love, love, love, Anna! I often make a half-batch too (to try to stop myself from eating it ALL in one sitting ;)). Thanks so much for commenting!!
Kristine
We use the exact same recipe in our family that has traveled down from my grandmothers mother. The only difference we do is instead of the water we use apple juice or fresh apple cider is my personal favorite! I think it adds that special fall taste. Kristine
Naha
yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing this healthy recipe!
Becca
Glad you enjoyed! Thank you!
A.F.
Awesome recipe. I doubled it and used 6 apples and 8 bananas (I was needing to use them up quick), and it turned out extremely delicious.
Becca
I’m so glad you enjoyed, and were able to use up the bananas, what a fun twist! Thanks for commenting!
Marilyn
Very similar to my recipe which I’ve used for many years. I don’t care to use oats either. I use cold butter and then chill the sugar/flour/ butter/salt topping after combining ( pulse in a food processor so butter is pea-sized) before I bake…. you might try That… it makes for a very crispy, more crunchy topping, ( Somewhat the same principle when making a pie crust flakier, using ice water, not over- warming the crust ingredients )
Becca
Excellent food processor tip, Marilyn! I like your take on chilling the topping too, thanks for sharing!
Marti
Absolutely delicious Made half of the recipe since we are a family of two. Only thing I would change is I would make the full recipe so we had more! A real winner.
Becca
I made a half batch for us last night too, and I couldn’t agree more that I should’ve made a full batch, too! Hah! It’s also delicious with coffee in the morning…so I was really wishing I had some this AM 😉 Thanks so much for commenting, Marti! So glad you enjoyed!
Rhonda Farrell
I have been making this recipe for years!! It is definitely a family favorite! Of course, I always double it.
Becca
Doubling it is 100% the right call! 🙂 Thanks so much, Rhonda, I’m glad your family enjoys it as much as mine does!
Hannah
This was so easy and so delicious! We used apple cider instead of water and it added so much flavor! I highly recommend using it! Definitely a must make!
Becca
Thanks so much, Hannah! I love the apple cider substitute!
Rhoda
This recipe was delicious just as written. Will be making this again. Thank you for a great recipe. I got lazy and added the topping ingredients to my food processor and pulsed it a few times~~it worked beautifully.
Becca
YAY, Rhoda! I’m so glad you enjoyed. Also, pro tip about the food processor, that’s such a good move! Thank you!
Nancy
I am celiac as well as having an allergy to oats. Can I substitute almond flour for the regular flour?
Thank you.
Becca
Hi Nancy! Unfortunately I haven’t tested it with almond flour myself so I can’t say for certain, but since you’re not actually binding a batter together I’m guessing you should be fine. I’d love to hear how it works if you try it!
Elba N. Hada
My family doesn’t care for an oatmeal topping so this is our new favorite apple crisp recipe.
Becca
Yay, I’m so glad to hear you all love it! Thanks so much for commenting, Elba!!
Louise
My husbands absolute favorite. Ok mine too lol.
Becca
So happy to hear, Louise 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Anne Pashenee
Has anyone ever substituted whole wheat flour with good results? It’s all I use anymore, but have not used it for baking yet.
Becca Mills
Hi Anne – great question! I haven’t had any feedback from someone who has used whole wheat flour in this recipe before, and haven’t tested it yet myself. My hunch is that you should be fine substituting it, you just might want to use a little less (maybe around 1 cup) since whole wheat flour is more dense. Let me know if you give it a try!
ArleneU
Thank you for sharing your recipe ! Made this today and my husband loved it ! Will be making this again !
Becca Mills
So glad to hear! Thanks so much, Arlene!