Dive right into this easy Gluten-Free Apple Crisp! An essential fall dessert that's vegan, allergy-free, healthy, and naturally sweet! Warm tender-baked apples, covered in a crunchy, dairy-free & buttery, cinnamon oat topping. Top this old-fashioned classic recipe with vanilla ice cream and enjoy every seasonal cozy bite!
What's better than apple pie? Apple crisp! Those sweet tender-baked apples and that crunchy cinnamon sweet oat streusel baking away in the oven. THAT is what Fall smells like! Get out your rustic ole' cast iron skillet, grab the pounds of apples (I know you have from apple picking), and get ready for the BEST gluten-free apple crisp you've ever tasted! Bonus points...this crisp is super easy, vegan, and did I mention healthy?
If you've been a Strength and Sunshine reader for any length of time, you know how I feel about "cooked apples" and how I prefer smooth pies. Sometimes you just need to make an apple crisp (I'm doing this for YOU!). But what can I say? The crispy topping drew me in...
Apple Crisp vs. Apple Crumble
Terminology lesson for you! What's the difference between an apple crisp, crumble, even cobbler? They're all baked and contain fruit, but each topping is slightly different.
- A crumble is a dense topping of flour, butter, and sugar.
- A crisp is a lighter, crunchier topping of flour, butter, sugar, and OATS.
- A cobbler has a topping of dough, either pie crust or biscuits.
The best apples for an apple crisp
Whenever you're baking with apples, you need to choose the variety wisely. You want a crisp, tart and sweet, sturdy and firm apple. No soft Red Delicious or Macintosh. Personally I wouldn't use Granny Smith either (hate the sour!). My top suggestions are the coveted Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Jonathan, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. For this gluten-free vegan apple crisp, I used Honey Crisp apples.
How to slice the apples
This comes down to preference, just like your apple choice, but baking time may vary. You can cut thick wedges (what I did), thin wedges, spiralize it, chop it into cubes, even flat round for a gratin-style crisp. You can either leave the skin on (what I did and strongly suggest) or peel it (and waste the best part!) The apple and skin get super-soft, ooey, and gooey, once it's baked so don't harp on this too much. Nothing needs to be uniform either; keep it rustic! Just remove the stem and seeds...
How to make apple crisp
Now for the details. You don't need much to make a fruit crisp. It's perfect for when you want to enjoy the season's prime fruit, but don't feel like making an intricate pie, yet want something fancier than eating the fruit straight up! Budget-friendly, lazy-cook approved, easy, delicious...need I say more?
For the apples:
- Honey Crisp Apples (or other varieties, noted above)
- Lemon Juice
- Granulated Sweetener (sugar-free!)
- Cinnamon
Slice your apples, add them in a bowl, and toss them together with the other ingredients to coat. Then place them in a large, seasoned cast iron skillet or greased baking dish.
For the crisp topping:
- Gluten-Free Flour (any kind will work, all-purpose, brown rice, sorghum, etc.)
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats (certified purity protocol)
- Brown Sugar Sweetener (sugar-free!)
- Vegan/Soy-Free Butter
- Cinnamon
- Pure Vanilla Extract
Add the crisp topping ingredients to a bowl and crumble it up with your hands to combine. Sprinkle it over the top of the apples in your baking dish. Pop it in the oven and enjoy the wonderful cozy smells while everything bakes to soft apple and crunchy crisp perfection!
Crisp topping without the oats?
You know how I feel about gluten-free oats, so if you don't want to use or can't get certified gluten-free oats, swap them with quinoa flakes! Texture and taste will be slightly different, but it works!
Do you cover apple crisp while baking?
No! You want the oat topping to get CRISPY, i.e. apple CRISP. If you cover your baking dish or skillet with foil, the moisture and steam from the apples baking will make you topping a mushy dough with no crunch!
How long does it last?
Once you've baked up your easy apple crisp, you'll need to let it cool completely, right in the baking dish or skillet before storing. You can keep it in the baking dish, covered or you can scoop it out into a container. Store it in the fridge for 4-5 days. To reheat the crisp, you can warm it up back in the oven for a few minutes if you left it in the baking vessel you used or simple microwave the individual portions you'll be serving.
How to serve your crisp
This should be a no-brainer! When you have a plate of warm, steaming, cozy apple crisp in front of you, what's the best way to top it? ICE CREAM! Pick your favorite dairy-free, vegan vanilla ice cream and contract the warm apple crisp with the cold creamy ice cream! So yummy and it gets all melty...swoon!
Is it healthy?
Well, minus the ice cream, you've got a pretty healthy seasonal dessert if you make this crisp recipe! It's...
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan
- Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Coconut-Free, Corn-Free)
- Oil-Free
- Sugar-Free (sans natural sugar in the apples!)
- Kid-Friendly, Mom-Approved
Easy Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
Gluten-Free Apple Crisp (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
Dive right into this easy Gluten-Free Apple Crisp! An essential fall dessert that's vegan, allergy-free, healthy, and naturally sweet! Warm tender-baked apples, covered in a crunchy, dairy-free & buttery, cinnamon oat topping. Top this old-fashioned classic recipe with vanilla ice cream and enjoy every seasonal cozy bite!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the apples:
- 4 Large Honey Crisp Apples* (seeds and stem removed, sliced into wedges)
- 2 TB Granulated Erythritol** (or preferred granulated sweetener)
- 2 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
For the crisp topping:
- 1 Cup Certified Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
- ½ Cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour***
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar Style Erythritol (or preferred brown sugar sweetener)
- ½ Stick (4 TB) Vegan/Soy-Free Butter (cubed, I use MELT Organic)
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Slice your apples in to wedges, removing the seeds and stem. Place them in a large bowl with the sweetneer, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Toss together to coat.
- Place your crisp topping ingredients in another bowl and crumble it together with your hands until combined.
- In a large greased cast iron skillet or baking dish, place the coated apples first and then sprinkle the crisp topping over the apples to cover them.
- Bake the crisp in the oven for 45-60 minutes (depending on the thickness of your apple slices. The topping should be browned and crisp when done.
- Remove from the oven and serve in bowls or on plates with a big scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, if desired!
Notes
*Feel free to use other apple varieties, as noted in post.
**If choosing a tart/sour variety of apple, you may increase the sweetener used.
***Use whichever gluten-free flour you have on hand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Keywords: fruit crisp, easy apple crisp, healthy apple crisp, best apple crisp, apples, honey crisp apples, vegan apple crisp, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, coconut-free, sesame-free, sugar-free, oil-free, kid-friendly
Can you smell the cozy fall vibes through the screen? Want to smell them in your own kitchen instead? Get to baking, my friends!
Dig into more apple recipes:
- Apple Pie Quick Bread
- Apple Butter Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Glaze
- Apple Cider Doughnuts
- Crustless Apple Pie
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Slow Cooker Applesauce
So tell me:
+ Favorite fruit to use in a crisp?
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Kristina
The longer I look at these pictures, the closer I am to jumping up off my sofa and making this! I also love honey crisp apples! And the fact that your version is healthy... this leaves me with... no excuses... I must make this recipe. As soon as I buy some vanilla ice cream.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you enjoy!
Caroline
I love apple crisp so I’ll have to try this out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy.
Sharon
My brother is vegan so I’m definitely trying this for him! So exciting to find healthy fall
Recipes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you both enjoy!
Toni
This looks really amazing! Can't wait to give it a try!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So simple and easy to make.
Christa
So I’ve been vegetarian for over 20 years but sustaining a vegan diet is something I never thought I could do. This blog and all of your amazing recipes are really inspiring me and giving me confidence. I’ve been experimenting with new ingredients and so far, I love everything! Thank you.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wow, I am so glad to hear my recipes are helping you!
It's pretty easy once you learn some good swaps and you can enjoy all your favorite still!
Bella
yumm this looks so tasty!!! I am gluten free and vegan so i gotta try this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The perfect fall treat!
Cindy
This looks amazing! I love your gluten free and vegan recipes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks.
Petra
That sounds delicious. I will have to try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy.
Katherine
Omg, I absolutely love apple crisps. They're my favorite during the fall and I think I might actually be able to pull this one off. The fact that its gluten free and vegan is the cherry on top!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such an easy seasonal dessert!
Sharon
This gluten-free apple crisp is a great dessert for fall! So easy to make and great for vegan diets.
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks for the promo.
Indya | The Small Adventurer
This looks so delicious! I love anything with apple and cinnamon 😋 I appreciate the clarification of the definitions of desserts, too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, right? Love the technicalities!
kileen
Ooh, this looks and sounds so yummy! Such a great treat for Fall too!!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A fall essential, right?
Dorothy Reinhold
I love finding healthier versions of some of my old faves. So excited to try this crisp!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Let the apples shine!
Amanda
This looks so good! I can't remember the last time I had apple crisp.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This must be the year you make one!
Jody
I cannot wait to try this. I have recently went gluten free and would love another dessert option!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect seasonal dessert.
Jimmy
I don't know where you get this recipes from but I have bookmarked a lot of them to try them for the holidays.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Lol, it's my job as a recipe developer.