Bottomless Apple Pie

This bottomless apple pie is the easiest pie to make! A sweet cinnamon spiced fresh apple filling is covered with a delicious topping for a crustless apple pie that couldn’t be simpler. 

Unlike a traditional apple pie, this bottomless apple pie is made without the extra layer of pastry and instead highlights the sweet flavors of fresh apples that are baked until gooey perfection with a sweet topping.

The simple topping is made with only a few ingredients and may remind you of this peach crumble topping, made with only butter, sugar, flour and salt. It’s the best way to enjoy pie when you don’t have the time to mess with the crust!

This no-fuss crustless apple pie only gets better when served with warm vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of whipping cream! After one bite of the sweet, cinnamon spiced apple filling, I guarantee no one will complain about the missing crust. 

Why You’ll Love This Crustless Apple Pie

• Easy apple pie: This crustless apple pie recipe is perfect for beginning bakers or when you don’t have a lot of time as there is no crust to roll out. 
• Texture: This crustless pie has amazing flavor and texture! The apples are soft and the topping is soft and crumbly, it’s the best way to make an easy apple pie. 
• Flavorful: Cinnamon spiced apples combine with a sweet crust for a classic treat perfect for fall although I love to serve it year-round!

Recipe Ingredients

• Apples: Choose apples that remain firm while baking and don’t turn to mush. Granny Smith apples are a great option or for a sweeter taste try Honeycrisp apples. 
• Flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg: These ingredients create the gooey apple pie filling. Mix together and evenly coat the apples for the best results.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice not only balances the sweetness of the sugary apple pie filling but helps the apples retain some color. 
• Topping: Brown sugar, all purpose flour, room temperature butter and a pinch of salt. If using unsalted butter add additional salt to taste. 
• Cream: Whole, heavy or whipping cream at least 30% fat is drizzled over the pie for a creamy taste. 

How to Make Bottomless Apple Pie

Combine cinnamon sugar mixture: In a small bowl mix together the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Make apple pie filling: In a separate large bowl add apple slices or chunks and sprinkle with the lemon juice, toss together. Add the cinnamon mixture and stir to combine, transfer to the prepared 8 or 9 inch pie plate.

Combine crumb topping ingredients: Mix together the brown sugar, flour and salt then cut in the butter and form into coarse crumbs.

Bake: Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the apple mixture and bake for 35-40 minutes at 375°F, remove from the oven and drizzle the cream over the pie, bake again for 15 minutes.

Serve: Cool and slice or serve this homemade apple pie warm with a scoop of ice cream. 

Substitutions and Variations for Bottomless Apple Pie

• Oats: If you want a crustless apple pie crisp, replace a small amount of the flour in the topping with some oats. 
• Gluten-free: In place of all-purpose flour use oat flour. 
• Warm spices: Add some cardamom in place of the warm cinnamon or in addition to it or use an apple pie spice blend.
• Nuts: Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
• Cake-like: If a cake-like cobbler texture is more of what you desire, melt your butter, cool slightly and then add an egg to the topping mixture before spreading onto the top of the pie. 
• Miss the bottom crust? No problem! Use this homemade pie crust dough. 

Expert Tips for the Best Pie

• How to cut apples: Cut apples into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same time and lay better in the pie plate. 
• Peel apples: While it’s true the peels contain a lot of nutrients, they also contain moisture and the texture can be off-putting. Peel the apples and thank me later. 
• For clean slices: Allow the pie to cool completely so the filling can set. 
• Serving: Serve warm with a drizzle of whipping cream, vanilla custard sauce or some caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

FAQs

What are the best apples to use for a crustless pie?

There are many varieties of apples that will work in this crustless pie! Ideally, you want to use an apple variety that keeps its shape while baking rather than turning into mushy apples. A tart Granny Smith apple pairs well with the sweet filling. Other varieties that work well in baked goods include Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Jonagold or Braeburn.

How many apples do I need for this no crust apple pie?

You will need about 5 – 6 apples. Apples vary in size so a good rule to follow is to make sure to fill your pie plate rather than count the number of apples. Apple will shrink while baking, a full plate ensures that there is enough of the delicious apple pie filling. 

How to store leftovers?

Store bottomless apple pie leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container or cover the pan with aluminum foil. To reheat, place a slice of pie on a plate and warm up in the microwave. 

Can I freeze leftover Swedish apple pie? 

Yes! But I would do so without the heavy cream drizzled on top. Cool the pie completely then wrap the whole pie tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Place it in a freezer safe bag to prevent freeze burn. Store pie in the freezer for 2-3 months. 

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then warm slices in the microwave topped with cream or drizzle the whole pie with cream and warm in the oven at a low temperature. Note that the texture of the topping may change but the taste will still be delicious. 

More Apple Recipes

• Cinnamon Apple Bread
• Caramel Apple Scones
• Cinnamon Apple Baked Oatmeal
• Quick Apple Pie Bread
• Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread