Get ready to cozy up with this Easy Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats – the perfect Latin twist on a classic fall dessert! This easy recipe combines tender apples spiced with cloves and cinnamon, a luscious layer of Latin dulce de leche, and a buttery crumbly topping that’s simply irresistible.
Whether you’re craving a homemade apple crisp for a weeknight treat or looking for an easy dessert to impress at gatherings, our Latin twist on the classic apple crisp is sure to be your new favorite fall dessert! We skipped the oats and created a richer, more indulgent version with a spiced streusel. We are betting high you will love this Easy Apple Crisp with a Latin Flair!😉
When I moved to the United States, I fell in love with baked apple desserts, as this is not common in Venezuela. This is especially true since apples are abundant here in the Upper Midwest. In fact, the apples in this recipe come from our friend and neighbor Helga.
Plenty of Helga’s Haroldson and Honey Crisp apples come to my house every year picked right here from our backyard! I’ve also used her apples in these fantastic Apple Empanadas and this comforting Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake.
For this Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp recipe, I was inspired by the warm, comforting flavors of a classic Apple pie. I still use its simple ingredients, but no pie crust to fuss with. I think this easy recipe is the perfect way to enjoy apple season while using those leftover apples in our kitchens.
Unlike a traditional apple crisp with oats recipe, this version focuses on a rich, buttery topping that brings out the best in this fruit crisp, offering all the cozy fall flavors we crave during this time of year. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.
If you love apple crumble or other seasonal desserts, this recipe will quickly become your favorite way to celebrate Autumn!🍂 Buen Provecho!🍏
Jump to:
- ❤️Why you will love this Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp
- 🍽 Equipment
- 📝Ingredients and Substitutions
- 🍎What type of Apple is Best for Apple Crisp ❔
- 🔪Instructions 🥣
- 🍲Storage suggestions
- ❔Apple Crisp Frequently Asked Questions
- ⭐Leave a review!
- 🍁🧡Cinnamon, Spice, and Everything Nice: Other Fall treats you may like
- 🍴Favorite Latin Recipes to Pair
- 📖 GET THE RECIPE! 🍽️
❤️Why you will love this Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp
🍎RICH AND DECADENT FLAVOR: The creamy Dulce de Leche adds a caramel-like sweetness that perfectly complements the spiced apples and crunchy streusel topping.
🥣EASY TO MAKE: This simple apple recipe comes together easily, making it the perfect dessert for busy autumn days or last-minute gatherings.
🍁PERFECTLY COZY DESSERT: Warm, gooey, tender apples paired with a crisp topping make this a comforting treat everyone will love—serve this warm apple crisp with ice cream for the ultimate indulgence! 🍨
🍽 Equipment
A Medium Bowl for creating the streusel. Large Mixing Bowl for mixing the apple mixture, a shallow 9” by 9” baking dish , and a Pastry Cutter or two forks to make the crumble topping (optional).
📝Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this delicious recipe, you need less than 10 ingredients, much of which are likely in your pantry already.
🍎Apple Mixture Ingredients
See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities
- Apples - diced into 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking. Choose apples like honeycrisp, granny smith, or pink lady for the best balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Brown Sugar - adds a caramel-like sweetness to the apple filling.
- Cinnamon - brings warm, classic fall spice to the dish.
- Ground Cloves - a little goes a long way to enhance the flavor depth.
- Vanilla - enhances the overall sweetness and flavor complexity.
- Lemon Juice - brightens the flavor and prevents the apples from over-browning.
- Dulce de Leche (at room temperature) - adds an indulgent creaminess to the apple filling, eliminating the need for corn starch while enhancing texture and taste.
🍂🧈Streusel Ingredients
This delicious buttery crumble, made with pantry staples, perfectly complements the cinnamon-spiced apple filling. These simple ingredients work together to create a rich, comforting dessert brimming with flavor!
- All-purpose flour - forms the base for the crumbly topping
- Brown Sugar - adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor
- Ground Cinnamon - for that warm, spiced aroma
- Ground Cloves - elevates the flavor profile with subtle spice
- Cold Butter - use cold butter to create a perfectly crisp and crumbly topping for the best results.
🍎What type of Apple is Best for Apple Crisp ❔
Choosing the best apple for your apple crisp can make all the difference in flavor and texture! A mix of tart apples and sweet apples is ideal for the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. here’s a breakdown of some great options:
- GRANNY SMITH APPLES: These classic tart apples hold their shape during baking and provide a tangy contrast to the sweet, buttery streusel and dulce de leche.
- HONEYCRISP APPLES: Known for their crisp texture and natural sweetness, these juicy apples add a delightful crunch and flavor to your crisp.
- PINK LADY APPLES: These apples are both tart and sweet, making them one of the best types of apples for baking. Their firm texture ensures they don’t turn mushy in the oven.
Regardless of your choice, using fresh apples is key to making a delicious dessert everyone will love!
🔪Instructions 🥣
Make the Apple Mixture
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cube the apples into 1/2-inch pieces for even cooking. For a more traditional look, you can use sliced apples instead.
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well to coat the apples evenly.
- Add the dulce de leche and mix again.
- Ensure the apples are fully coated in the creamy caramel. If your dulce de leche is too firm, you may warm in the microwave for 7-10 seconds.
Make the Crumble Topping
- Mix all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cinnamon, cloves) in a medium bowl.
- Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or two forks until it forms a crumbly texture resembling coarse crumbs.
- Butter the inside of your baking pan to prevent sticking. Pour the fruit filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple mixture.
Baking time
- Bake at 375°F for 1 hour or until the buttery topping turns golden brown. If the topping looks too dark before the apples are done, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil, which is rarely needed. Let the apple crisp cool slightly before serving.
There you have it! A fantastic homemade Apple Crisp with Dulce de Leche!
Enjoy your easy apple dessert with a warm cup of coffee or tea. For an extra indulgent treat, top it with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream, whipped mascarpone cheese, or whipped cream sweetened with maple syrup for the ultimate AUTUMN INDULGENCE! 🍂✨
🍲Storage suggestions
These tips will ensure your apple crisp stays delicious and ready to enjoy!
- Room temperature: If you plan to consume the apple crisp within a day, it can be stored at room temperature. Cover it with plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
- Refrigeration: For leftovers beyond one day, transfer the apple crisp to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 4-5 days.
❔Apple Crisp Frequently Asked Questions
The difference between apple crisp and apple cobbler lies primarily in their toppings and textures:
Key Differences
- Topping Type: Crisp = crumbly, generally oat-based; Cobbler = biscuit or cake-like.
- Texture: Crisp is crunchy, while cobbler is soft and fluffy.
- Oats: Crisp typically includes oats, while cobbler does not.
APPLE CRISP
Topping: Apple crisp has a crumbly topping made from flour, oats, sugar, butter, and sometimes nuts or spices. The topping is baked to become crispy and golden.
Texture: The topping is light, crunchy, and crumbly.
Filling: Sliced apples are mixed with sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes a bit of lemon juice for a sweet, spiced filling.
APPLE COBBLER
Topping: Apple cobbler features a biscuit-like or cake-like topping. The dough can be dropped in spoonfuls over the apples, resembling a cobbled street (hence the name), or spread more evenly.
Texture: The topping is soft, fluffy, and slightly golden on the surface, with a tender crumb inside.
Filling: Similar to apple crisp, the filling is made from spiced apples but more juices often bubble up into the topping as it bakes.
Both are delicious comfort desserts that highlight the warm, spiced flavors of baked apples! 🍎🍂
You can replace regular flour with almond flour in a streusel recipe for a Gluten Free Apple Crisp. There are a few adjustments to consider:
What to Expect:
Texture: Almond flour is coarser than regular flour, so the streusel will have a slightly more crumbly texture.
Binding: Since almond flour lacks gluten, the streusel might not bind as tightly. You may need to use a bit more butter to help it hold together.
Flavor: Almond flour adds a nutty flavor, which can enhance the overall taste.
Tips for Substitution:
Use Equal Volume: Replace regular flour with almond flour in a 1:1 ratio by volume, but adjust butter or sugar slightly if needed.
Chill the Streusel: Chill the streusel mixture before using it to help it hold its shape better when baked.
This Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp is the perfect Fall dessert to warm your heart ❤️ (and your family’s) and satisfy your sweet tooth. With its crunchy topping and tender, spiced apple filling, it’s no wonder this dish will become one of your FAVORITE DESSERTS!
At least, I’d like to think so! 😉
Whether hosting dinner parties or simply craving comfort during the chilly winter months, this delicious apple crisp recipe will impress everyone. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and watch it disappear in no time!🍂🥧✨ Buen Provecho!
⭐Leave a review!
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Happy cooking! And Buen Provecho!
And thanks for visiting A Latin Flair! Gracias! 😊
🍁🧡Cinnamon, Spice, and Everything Nice: Other Fall treats you may like
🍴Favorite Latin Recipes to Pair
📖 GET THE RECIPE! 🍽️
Easy Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin Inspired
Description
This Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp without oats is a cozy fall dessert with tender, spiced apples, a buttery crumbly topping, and a rich caramel-like twist. An indulgent classic dessert with a Latin Flair.
Equipment: A Medium Bowl for creating the streusel. Large Mixing Bowl for mixing the apple mixture, a shallow 9” by 9” baking dish , and a Pastry Cutter or two forks to make the crumble topping (optional).
Ingredients
APPLE MIXTURE INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups Diced Apples - approximately 5 apples, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (See notes)
- 1/4 cup of Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup Dulce de Leche at room temperature (see notes)
STREUSEL INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup of All-Purpose Flour
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 2 tablespoons Cold Butter.
Instructions
Make the Apple Mixture:
- Cube the apples into 1/2-inch pieces for even cooking. For a more traditional look, you can use sliced apples instead.
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well to coat the apples evenly. Add the dulce de leche and mix again to ensure the apples are fully coated in the creamy caramel.
- Butter the inside of your baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
Make the Crumble topping:
- Mix all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cinnamon, cloves) in a medium bowl.
- Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or two forks until it forms a crumbly texture resembling coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the apple mixture in the baking dish.
Baking Time:
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 1 hour. If the topping looks too dark before the apples are done, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil.
- Let the apple crisp cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Dulce de Leche: Adds an indulgent creaminess to the apple filling, eliminating the need for corn starch while enhancing texture and taste. If it is too firm, you may soften it by microwaving for 7-10 seconds and stirring. Repeat as needed, but only 7-10 seconds at a time. You can also place it in a bowl with warm water.
Best apples for Apple Crisp: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady are great options for the best balance of texture, tartness and sweetness.
Storage suggestions:
- Room temperature: If you plan to consume the apple crisp within a day, it can be stored at room temperature. cover it with plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
- Refrigeration: For leftovers beyond one day, transfer the apple crisp to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 4-5 days.
Other Apple and Dulce de Leche recipes you may like are Apple Empanadas and Apple Streusel Coffee Cake. Equally indulgent and comforting!
Bernice says
This crisp was the perfect way to use up some of the frozen apples from our apple tree! Loved the addition of dulce de leche.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Yay! I had the same. Many apples to use up from the backyard's tree. And what a better way than to add dulce de Leche! Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂
Elizabeth says
The perfect Fall treat! So yummy and my family loved it!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
So happy to hear! Thanks for sharring. 🙂
Nicole Kendrick says
This is one of the best desserts I've ever made! The apple and dulce de leche are so delicious together!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Wow, what an amazing compliment! 🍎💛 I’m so glad you loved the combo. Thanks for sharing your sweet success, Nicole! 🥰
Kim Beaulieu says
This is wonderful dessert recipe. The Dulce de Leche takes it to the next level.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you, Kim! So happy you enjoyed the dulce de leche addition. ❤️😊
Nisha says
The apple crisp turned out so good, the combined flavors of the baked apples with
cloves, cinnamon, dulce de leche, and the topping was spot on.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Nisha,
So thrilled you loved it! 🍎✨ Those warm spices and dulce de leche really do work magic together, don’t they? Thanks for making my recipe shine! 🌟🙌
Alena says
Love the combination of apples and Dulce de Leche, such a great treat to spoil your family 🙂
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Alena,
Apples and dulce de leche are truly a match made in dessert heaven, right? 💛 So glad you’ve treated your family to this sweet indulgence — they deserve it! 😊
Thanks for leaving your review!