This apple crumble without oats has all the sweet and warming flavors of fall. The crunchy topping perfectly compliments the gooey apple filling. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and a decadent drizzle of caramel sauce and you have the perfect dessert.
Every home cook needs a hearty, warm baked apple recipe under their belts and my grandma's dessert is the perfect way to get started and feel all cozy at the same time. This is that recipe
This was inspired by my caramel apple crisp and strawberry crisp recipes on this site, and pairs well with this amazing salted caramel milkshake or boozy caramel apple milkshake.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: This is an old-fashioned recipe that uses simple ingredients found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Easy: It only takes a few minutes of prep and a little baking to make this apple crumble.
- Delicious: Every bite is loaded with old-fashioned apple flavor that everyone in the family will love.
Ingredients for My Grandma's Apple Crumble
This ingredient list is about as easy as it gets. You only need a few simple items to make this recipe, and they're all either in your kitchen or at your local grocery store.
- Large Granny Smith Apples: Use your favorite baking apple like Honeycrisp, pink ladies, golden delicious and gala apples instead.
- Granulated Sugar: Sugar gives the filling the sweetness it needs.
- Salted Butter: Salted butter adds richness, and the salt enhances the flavor.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is the classic spice for apples.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a citrus note that pairs perfectly with the other sweet ingredients.
- Dark Brown Sugar: This adds deeper sweetness and caramelizes the crumble topping but feel free to use light brown sugar in a pinch.
- All Purpose Flour: All purpose flour holds the topping together.
- Salt: Salt brings out the other flavors in the crumble.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg works with the cinnamon for classic fall flavor.
Optional Serving Suggestions
- Caramel Sauce: Caramel and apples are always a great combo!
- Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: These are classic toppings for apple crumble.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of cinnamon and nutmeg use pumpkin pie spice.
- Add vanilla or caramel extract to the apple filling mix for even more flavor.
- Add walnuts or pecans to apple mixture for some crunch.
- Add raisins.
How to make My Grandma's Apple Crumble
Making this recipe only takes a few steps and a few minutes from start to finish. It's as easy as it is delicious!
In a large mixing bowl, toss the apple slices with ¼ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and the lemon juice, making sure to coat the slices completely.
Spread the slices in an even layer in the baking dish and set aside.
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, salt, ½ tablespoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and cubed butter.
Use a hand blender on low or two forks until well combined and smooth loose dough forms.
Spread the topping over the apples. The topping will seem very dry at first, keep mixing it, it will soften and combine into a less crumbly texture.
Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until bubbling and the topping is golden brown. Let sit for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Serve warm or room temperature with ice cream and caramel topping.
Hint: Slice your apples about ¼-inch thick. This makes them thin enough to get nice and soft but thick enough to hold their shape nicely.
If you love dessert recipes like this, you may also enjoy our air fryer strawberry apple crumble, Strawberry Scones, reese's peanut butter pie, apple pie with graham cracker crust, or our brownie ice cream with caramel recipe!
Storage
If you have leftover old fashioned apple crisp, you can store it in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap on the counter for 2 days.
Refrigerator: You can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Store this easy apple crumble in the freezer for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container. Defrost before reheating.
Reheat: If you want to warm leftovers you can do so in the microwave. Place individual servings on a microwave safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes or until warmed throughout. If you prefer to use the oven be sure to allow your dish to come to room temperature so it doesn’t break when heated. Place in a 375° oven for 8-10 minutes or until warm and bubbly.
Make Ahead: This dessert is a great make ahead dish to keep frozen for when you need it. Bake according to the directions using a disposable 8x8 inch dish. Allow to cool on the counter and cover before freezing. When you’re ready to eat, uncover and bake from frozen in a 350°F oven for 50 to 55 minutes until the filling is warm and bubbly and the topping is crisp.
What to Serve with Old Fashioned Apple Crumble
This easy, old fashioned apple crumble without oats makes the perfect dessert for an equally old fashioned meal with favorites like:
Tips
- Be sure you evenly coat your apples with the sugar mixture and lemon juice for the most delicious filling possible.
- Your crumble dough will be loose rather than a smooth, even dough. That's okay! You want that!
- Gently spread your crumble topping evenly over the apple filling so you cover it fully without disturbing the filling.
FAQ
Both crumbles and crisps have primarily the same ingredients. In fact, the only difference is the addition of oats. A crisp has added oats for a crunchier texture, while crumbles don't.
That's largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the chewier, rustic texture that unpeeled apples give a dish, while others prefer the softer texture of peeled apples.
While Granny Smith is traditionally recognized as the queen of baking apples, there are a few other varieties that work well, too. Try Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Crisping, Jonagold, or Northern Spy.
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Other Delicious Apple Recipes to Try
We always have apples in the house and I am always using them in so many things besides this recipe. Here are a few of my favorites!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Apple Crumble Without Oats
Equipment
- 8 x 8 inch cake pan or equivalent round pan
- pastry blender or 2 forks
Ingredients
- cooking spray You can also use melted butter or any neutral oil drizzled in the dish and then use a paper towel to smear a thin layer onto the bottom and sides. About a tablespoon should be enough.
- 8 large granny smith apples (peeled, cored, and sliced ½ inch thick)
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar divided
- 3 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¾ cup salted butter cubed and softened
Optional Serving Suggestions
- caramel sauce
- vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray an 8x8 glass or ceramic baking dish with non-stick baking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the apple slices with ¼ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and the lemon juice, making sure to coat the slices completely.
- Spread the slices in an even layer in the baking dish and set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, salt, ½ tablespoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and cubed butter with a hand blender on low or two forks until well combined and smooth loose dough forms. Spread the topping over the apples. The topping will seem very dry at first, keep mixing it, it will soften and combine into a less crumbly texture.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Let sit for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
- Serve warm or room temperature with ice cream or whipped cream and caramel topping.
Video
Notes
- If you have leftover old fashioned apple crisp, you can store it in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap on the counter for 2 days. You can also store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- If you want to warm leftovers you can do so in the microwave. Place individual servings on a microwave safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes or until warmed throughout. If you prefer to use the oven be sure to allow your dish to come to room temperature so it doesn’t break when heated. Place in a 375° oven for 8-10 minutes or until warm and bubbly.
- You can use any baking apple that you like. Honeycrisp, pink ladies, golden delicious and gala apples are all great choices.
- This dessert is a great make ahead dish to keep frozen for when you need it. Bake according to the directions using a disposable 8x8 dish. Allow to cool on the counter and cover before freezing. When you’re ready to eat, uncover and bake from frozen in a 350°F oven for 50 to 55 minutes until the filling is warm and bubbly and the topping is crisp.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in May 2017. It's been updated with new content, images, and an updated recipe.
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