This Gluten-Free Apple Crisp is made with a maple syrup sweetened, spiced apple filling, and a crumb topping made of gluten-free oats and nuts. Baked until warm and bubbly in the center and golden and crisp on top, it’s easy to make and perfect for fall! Serve it with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream to impress a crowd.
What Is an Apple Crisp?
An apple crisp is a type of dessert made with sliced or diced apples, sweetened with sugar, and often flavored with cinnamon and other warm spices. The apple mixture is then topped with a crumbly topping made from flour, butter, and sugar, and baked in the oven until golden on top.
A gluten-free apple crisp is the same thing. However, oats or a combination of gluten-free oats and gluten-free flour are usually used in place of the flour for the topping. As a result, it still features the same crumbly top and warm filling but with none of the gluten for a treat everyone at the table can enjoy!
Apple Crumble vs. Apple Crisp
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked when it comes to this recipe, and we understand why! They’re super similar, and over the years the names have begun to be used interchangeably. So, let’s break their similarities and differences down!
- Crisps are baked fruit desserts with a light streusel topping that are most often (not always) made with oats and nuts. When baked, the topping becomes crispy and delicious. Makes sense, right? Crisps get crispy.
- Crumbles are also made with fruit and baked in the oven. However, unlike crisps, crumbles have a streusel-like topping. This is because the top portion is made with a bit more flour and butter, which allows it to “crumble” easier. Some versions contain nuts and some, like our vegan berry rhubarb crumble don’t.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the reasons apple crisp recipes remain so popular is that they come together with simple, pantry staple ingredients many people keep on hand.
For the Filling
- Apples – Look for brightly colored apples that are firm and free of bruises or soft spots.
- Lemon Juice – This helps prevent the apples from browning, and the acidity balances out some of the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.
- Raw Cane Sugar – Use as little or as much as you like.
- Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour or Gluten-Free Oat Flour – This helps provide structure to the filling so it doesn’t spill all over the place!
- Spices – Ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger add warm, cozy flavor and extra depth.
- Maple Syrup – Used to sweeten the filling further and create a thick, sticky consistency.
For the Crisp Topping
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats – These form a satisfying crispy topping. Look for certified gluten-free oats!
- Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour or Gluten-Free Oat Flour – Used to help coat the oats, holding the topping together.
- Coconut Palm Sugar – Brown sugar or golden monk fruit sweetener may be substituted.
- Chopped Nuts – Technically optional, chopped nuts like pecans or almonds add a satisfying crunch.
- Ground Cinnamon – Used to tie the flavor of the topping in with the filling.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda – These are leavening agents that help the crust rise and become crisp.
- Sea Salt – Just a pinch helps enhance the rest of the ingredients.
- Unsalted Butter – Use this to coat the topping and add a rich, decadent flavor. Use regular butter, dairy-free butter, or refined coconut oil.
The Best Apples for An Apple Crisp
When it comes to baking of any kind, you’ll want to look for crisp, sweet apples that can withstand the high temperatures of the oven. Honeycrisp tend to result in the sweetest crisps. However, Granny Smith or Golden Delicious can also be used!
How to Make A Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
One of the best things about crisps is that they come together super quickly with minimal prep time and a quick cook time!
- Prepare the Filling. Place the sliced apples in a large baking dish or pie pan, and drizzle the lemon juice on top. In a separate small bowl, whisk the raw sugar, flour, and cinnamon together, and sprinkle it evenly over the apples. Drizzle the maple syrup on top, and set aside.
- Create the Topping. In a large mixing bowl, stir all the ingredients except the butter. Add the melted butter, and mix until moist and crumbly.
- Layer. Spread the oat topping evenly over the apples, covering them as much as possible.
- Bake. Transfer the pan to a preheated oven, and bake until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
Baking Tip: Dark metal bakeware has a tendency to bake more quickly. Meanwhile, ceramic takes longer to heat up but bakes more evenly. Both work well. Just be sure to keep an eye on your oven!
- Serve. Enjoy your gluten-free apple crisp warm on its own or topped with a dollop of dairy-free whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
Pro-Tip: If your crisp begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil, and continue to bake until the apples are tender.
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How to Store and Reheat
This recipe is best enjoyed right away while it’s warm and the top is golden and crisp. However, if you have leftovers, they can be tightly covered with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and stored in the fridge for up to four days.
Or, for a longer-lasting option, freeze your crisp instead! To do so, bake it in a freezer-safe pan, or transfer it to a freezer-safe container once cooled. Then, wrap it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months.
To serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in the oven, or heat individual portions in the microwave.
Common Questions
Yes! Try using pears, peaches, or berries instead of apples. Or, experiment with different combinations of fruits!
We recommend peeling the apples as the skin is tough and can be difficult to bite and chew.
This recipe already contains nuts! However, if you’re feeling extra nutty, feel free to add more.
Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Recipe
- Total Time: 50 to 60 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Celebrate fall with the best gluten-free apple crisp recipe you’ll ever make! It’s warm and soft in the center, crisp and buttery on top, and ready in minutes! Dairy-free option.
Ingredients
Filling
- 5 medium apples, core removed, peeled and sliced (about 4 to 5 cups or 700 grams)
- 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup to ⅓ cup raw cane sugar (adjust to desired sweetness)
- 1 Tablespoons gluten-free all purpose flour or gluten-free oat flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Topping
- 1 cup (95 grams) gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup (70 grams) gluten-free all purpose flour or gluten-free oat flour
- ½ cup coconut palm sugar (see notes)
- Optional – ⅓ cup chopped nuts
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch sea salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (regular or plant-based) or refined coconut oil, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare the filling by placing the sliced apples in a large baking dish or pie pan and drizzle with lemon juice.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the raw sugar, flour, and cinnamon together; evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the sliced apples.
- Drizzle the maple syrup evenly over the apples. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the topping by whisking together the rolled oats, flour, coconut palm sugar, optional chopped nuts, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the melted butter or oil and mix with a spatula or fork until the mixture is moist, but crumbly.
- Spread the topping evenly to fully cover the apples or cover the apples as much as possible.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and edges are bubbling. If the top is browning too quickly and the apples are not tender, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil and continue baking.
- Serve as is or top with whipped cream. Once cooled, store in the fridge tightly covered for up to 4 days.
Notes
Substitute Tips – Brown sugar or golden monk fruit sweetener may be substituted for coconut palm sugar.
Prep Tips – Using honey crisp apples may result in a sweeter crisp than other apple varieties. Dark metal bakeware has a tendency to bake more quickly, but ceramic takes longer to heat up but bakes more evenly.
Storage Tips – Freeze the crisp once it’s baked. Bake the crisp in a freezer-safe pan or transfer the cooked and cooled crisp to a freezer safe container. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 to 45 minutes
- Category: baking
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 369
- Sugar: 37.8 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 13.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3.9 g
- Protein: 2.7 g
- Cholesterol: 34.9 mg
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