Apple Pie … Without a Crust!
If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you’ll know that I really don’t like complicated and fussy desserts. And I especially don’t like making pie crust, no matter how easy it is! Therefore, I’ve developed quite a collection of pies that are crustless. Meaning, there’s no separate crust to make, roll out, pre-bake, or deal with. The filling and the crust bake as one! I didn’t have a crustless apple pie so decided to make one! You’re going to love how easy this “apple pie” is! It’s a fast, foolproof, no-mixer recipe which is great for you, the pastry chef. Every bite of the apple pie is chock full of tender, juicy, cinnamon-spiced apples with a chewy, dense topping layer. This could be called a “crust” I suppose, but it’s definitely nothing like traditional pie crust. It’s thicker, denser, and chewier, more like the the topping you’d find on an Apple Crisp. If you love texture, this is your dessert! What I came to find out is that my idea of a crustless apple pie is what others sometimes call a Swedish apple pie. In many recipes that are termed “Swedish apple pie” recipes, nuts are often incorporated. However, there are no nuts in my version because my family doesn’t prefer nuts in their desserts generally speaking. It’s also a bit different than my Apple Cobbler, which is also awesome, but that apple dessert has a biscuit dough topping which is different than the topping on this dessert.
Ingredients in Crustless Apple Pie
To make this easy no-crust apple pie recipe, you’ll need the following common and inexpensive fridge and pantry ingredients: Crustless Blueberry Pie Crustless Fresh Strawberry Pie Crustless Pumpkin Pie Crustless Cranberry Pie
Green apples (Granny Smith or similar) Red apples (Pink Lady, Braeburn, Fuji, or similar) Lemon juice Granulated sugar Cinnamon All-purpose flour Ground cloves, optional Large egg Melted unsalted butter
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Crustless Apple Pie
Making a crustless apple pie is a cinch. You don’t even need a mixer! Here is an overview – consult the recipe card below for the full write up.
What Kind of Apples Are Best for Baking?
The general rule of thumb for baking when apples are involved – whether it’s an Apple Pie, Apple Pie Bread, or Apple Zucchini Bread – is to use mostly or all green apples. And a much smaller amount of red apples. You want about 3 cups of thinly sliced, peeled apples total.
Green Apples — Granny Smith is the obvious choice. Green apples are more tart than red, but they are also very firm, which is important when baking with apples so they don’t turn to total mush. Red Apples — Firm red apples such as Pink Lady, Braeburn, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or similar. Do not use something like a Red Delicious which is too mushy and mealy.
In this no-crust apple pie, I used 3 green Granny Smith apples + 1 red Pink Lady apple. You could also do 2 green + 2 red apples if you like, or just use all green apples.
What Are the Best Spices for Apple Pie?
Cinnamon – Used to both toss with the apples and lemon juice, and in the batter, cinnamon is a key ingredient in this apple pie without a crust, used twice. I err on the side of more rather than less when it comes to cinnamon in baked goods, especially when it comes to apple desserts or pumpkin desserts. It makes everything taste warm and cozy. However, you can reduce it to taste if you’re very sensitive to cinnamon. Cloves – Ground cloves are one of my favorite warming spices. I adore adding a generous shake but if you don’t have any on hand or are sensitive to the flavor, you can omit cloves. Nutmeg – If you’re a fan, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. And if not, like cloves, don’t worry about it and omit. Apple Pie Spice – This is really just a mixture of all of the above spices, and you can use it in place of the aforementioned in the batter. However, I would still add the cinnamon to toss the apples.
Toppings for Crustless Apple Pie
Apple pie, or in this case no-crust apple pie, is great on its own but even better with some toppings. Here are my serving suggestions:
Vanilla ice cream, vanilla bean ice cream, or any ice cream you adore. Cool Whip or whipped topping. I use lite or fat free, and the store brand, and no one knows the difference. Whipped cream from a can. Everyone loves the spray nozzle! Homemade whipped cream Caramel sauce, caramel ice cream sundae topping, salted caramel (Trader Joe’s is excellent), or Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce.
How to Store Leftover Apple Pie
I don’t think you’re going to have any problems with this crust-free apple pie “lingering” around your house. However, leftover pie will keep airtight at room temp for up to 5 days. I suppose you could freeze it for up to 3 months, although I haven’t ever needed to. Do not store it in the refrigerator which will only serve to dry out and harden the crust and suck all the moisture out of the apples. On the counter is where it belongs.
Tips for the Best Crustless Apple Pie
Granulated Sugar – You use granulated sugar three times in this easy crustless apple pie recipe. Just make sure you’re aware and that you don’t accidentally shortchange the sugar. Spreading the Batter Over the Apples – The batter is very dense and thick. This is by design because the apples will release their natural juices during baking which thins out this batter during the baking process, so you want it on the thicker side to start out with. But because it is thick, it’s difficult to “spread” over the apples in the pie dish. I find it easiest to take about 1/4 of the batter mixture in my hand, press it over the top of 1/4 of the surface area of the apples in the pie dish, and then repeat; until the batter is used and the apples are covered. Smoosh it together as best you can and it will even out in the baking process. Leave a bare perimeter of about 1/2-inch from the edge of the pie dish so that the batter doesn’t stick or burn. Watch Your Dessert, Not The Clock – In any type of fruit-based dessert (or vegetable such as Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread which is out of this world), there will be variation and variance in the amount of baking time required. My baking time estimate is about 55 minutes. However, your crustless apple pie may be done in as little as 45 minutes or as long at 65 minutes depending on your apples, oven, climate, pan, and overall variances. Always judge doneness by how your dessert looks to you, and if it is done or not, and do not take what’s written in a recipe card as the final word. Therefore check early, but be prepared to leave it for awhile longer to bake.
More Easy Apple Dessert Recipes:
Easy Apple Cobbler – A spiced apple filling is topped with a sweet biscuit topping before being baked to golden brown and bubbly perfection! Apple cobbler is such an EASY dessert to make and tastes even better when drizzled with caramel sauce and served with a scoop of ice cream! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Best Homemade Apple Pie (From Scratch!) — This fabulous apple pie is a specialty of my grandma’s. The sauce for the apples is slowly poured over the lattice crust until it fills the shell. Caramel Apple Crumble Pie — Apple pie meets apple crumble in this easy caramel apple crumble pie recipe. This apple pie is dense, rich, and is packed with caramel apple flavor! Apple Pie Bread with Streusel Topping — If you like apple crumble pie, you’re going to love this EASY no-mixer apple pie bread!! Soft, tender, moist bread with the contrast of the slightly crunchy crumble topping is PERFECT! Great for breakfast, brunch, snacks, or dessert!! Apple Zucchini Bread with Brown Sugar Frosting – Super soft, moist, and topped with the BEST frosting ever!! One bowl, no mixer, EASY recipe for the best apple zucchini bread that everyone LOVES!! Apple Carrot Bread — This apple carrot bread tastes like carrot cake that’s been infused with apples. It’s a no mixer recipe that goes from bowl to oven in minutes! Apple Fritter Bread — The bread tastes as decadent as the apple fritters of my childhood, no deep frying required and it’s more like cake disguised as bread. Cinnamon Spice Applesauce Bread with Honey Butter — Applesauce keeps this bread so soft & moist! It’s like apple spice cake, disguised as ‘bread’ so you can have extra! Fresh Apple Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting — An EASY, one-bowl, no-mixer apple cake that’s to-die-for!! Loaded with juicy apples in every bite, perfectly spiced, and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting! So DELISH!! 5-Minute Microwave Apple Cinnamon Crumble For One – 5-minute easy recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or snacks! Caramel Apple Crumble Foil Packs — Easy, zero cleanup, made on the grill (or oven) in record time, and delish! Juicy apples, chewy crumble topping, and luscious salted caramel!
