Swedish Crustless Apple Pie, for the banchan spread

This direct Swedish crustless apple pie recipe creates its own golden-brown crust while baking. Bursting with fresh apple and cinnamon flavor, it’s the steady cozy dessert. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible treat!

Ever thought about making apple pie without the crust? It’s not only possible, but it’s also savory! This Swedish crustless apple pie is proof.

No need to fuss with rolling out dough—instead, you mix a few unfussy ingredients and pour them over the apples. As it bakes, it creates its own golden crust on top, while leaving the bottom soft and apple-filled.

What is Swedish Apple Pie

Swedish apple pie is an American twist on the classic Swedish dessert, “smulpaj,” or crumble pie. Traditionally, smulpaj is a crustless fruit pie made with berries.

Similarly, Swedish apple pie skips the crust but centers on apples and sugar. The apples are topped with a buttery, sugar-rich batter that bakes into a flaky topping—somewhere between a cookie and a cake. It’s tender, lightly crispy, and pairs evenly with the warm, spiced apple filling underneath.

While we love a classic deep-dish apple pie, when we're craving something short and comforting, this crustless version always hits the spot. Swedish apple pie is the ultimate cozy dessert, ready in no time, and an unfussy yet savory alternative to old-style apple pie.

Tips for the Steady No-Crust Apple Pie

Best Apples for Crustless Apple Pie

Use apples that hold their shape and offer balanced flavor. Granny Smith is ideal for its firm texture and tartness. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji also work well, offering a mix of sweet and tart. The right apple enhances both texture and taste.

Use Brown Butter

To truly elevate your apple treat for this particular recipe, consider using brown butter in place of regular melted butter. The nutty, caramelized notes of brown butter wonderfully complement the apples and spices, adding an extra layer of complexity to your dessert.

How the dish comes together

To prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9-inch pie pan. For best results, use a deep dish pie plate.

Apple Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the apple slices with lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until the apples are evenly coated, then transfer them to the greased 9-inch pie dish.

Brown the Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, watching as it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Once browned, remove from heat to avoid burning and let it cool slightly before using.

Prepare the Batter: Pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 cup of sugar and mix—it’s fine if the sugar doesn’t completely dissolve. Then, stir in the eggs.

Add Flour: Sift the flour through a fine mesh sieve and stir it into the batter until fully combined.

Assemble the Pie: Evenly pour the batter over the apples, then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar on top.

Baking: Bake the pie for 40-50 minutes, or until the top forms cracks. Baking time may vary slightly based on your oven.

Serving Swedish Apple Pie

A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can add an extra layer of indulgence. If you prefer something lighter, a drizzle of caramel sauce or even a sprinkle of cinnamon can enhance the flavors.

For a holiday twist, pair it with a mug of warm apple cider or a glass of dessert wine. No matter how you choose to serve it, this pie is sure to be a hit.

Leftover Storage Tips

If you have leftover, make sure it cools down before you store it to avoid sogginess. Place the cooled pie in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

For short-term storage, keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap. To enjoy later, just thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.

• Yield: 8 people
• Prep: 15 minutes
• Cook: 45 minutes
• Total: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 4 medium size Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, & thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Brown butter batter topping

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup all purpose flour, sifted

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 375˚F and grease a 9-inch pie pan ( A deep dish pie plate works the best!)
2. Combine apple slices, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Toss until apples are well-coated and place them in the greased pie pan.
3. To make brown butter: simply melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on it as it starts to foam and eventually turns a golden brown color. You'll also notice a rich, nutty aroma. Once it reaches this stage, remove it from heat immediately to prevent burning. Let it cool slightly before incorporating it into your pie mixture.
4. Transfer the browned butter to a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 cup of sugar and mix. Don't worry if the sugar doesn't fully dissolve. Stir in the eggs.
5. Sift flour through a fine mesh sieve and mix into the batter until well combined. Pour the batter over top of the apples, making sure it's spread evenly. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the top.
6. Place the pie in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. You'll know it's done when the top crust forms cracks, although this can vary depending on your oven.
7. Let the pie cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Notes

Adapted from