This gluten free apple crisp is perfectly sweetened, not too runny, and so easy to make. Oh yeah, it’s also completely vegan! It’s hands down the best apple crisp recipe because the crisp is baked on the bottom and the top. The base soaks up the apple juices to create a thick and delicious apple crisp.
This post is sponsored by Watkins but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Butternut Bakery possible!
What makes this a gluten free apple crisp recipe?
This apple crisp recipe is completely gluten free because of three key ingredients: old fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, and almond flour.
When using oats for gluten free recipes, you always want to make sure they are certified gluten free. Some oats are milled in factories were wheat and other gluten products are also produced, thus cross contaminating the oats.
These days it’s very easy to find certified gluten free oats, you just have to check the packaging!
But the reason why I used a blend of the two is because I needed the absorbency of the quick oats but the texture of the old fashioned rolled oats. Since this is a flourless apple crisp, it was important to take up every opportunity to help the butter and apple juices absorb as it bakes.
What also helps is the almond flour. This is another ingredient that’s completely gluten free and becoming very easy to find in just about any grocery store. This takes the place of regular flour in this recipe and it works perfectly!
A simple swap to make this apple crisp completely vegan
Apple crisp just isn’t the same without some butter. For some recipes, you can get away with swapping butter with oil for a vegan-friendly option. But with apple crisp, we want those clumps of butter to remain in the crisp.
As it bakes, the butter melts and sinks into the layers of the apple crisp to create a crisp top and gooey center.
That’s why plant-based or vegan butter is used in this recipe. It bakes and melts just like regular butter to create a super simple vegan apple crisp!
I also used Pinch of Yum’s easy vegan caramel sauce on top. It’s completely optional but it’s so easy to make that there’s really no excuse not to!
Apple crisp spices
Spices are essential ingredients to any good apple crisp recipe. They help to warm up the dish and create a deeper flavor.
For this recipe, I used cinnamon and nutmeg. They’re classic spices that go so well with tart fruits like the granny smith apples used here.
I always stock up on my baking spices with Watkins Products. I find that they have a much stronger flavor and I can really taste them in my recipes. Using their Organic Ground Cinnamon and Organic Ground Nutmeg makes a world of a difference in this apple crisp!
Watkins has also expanded their line of organic spices to include 40 varieties. I make sure to have their Organic Ground Cloves, Organic Ground Ginger, Organic Ground Cinnamon and Organic Ground Nutmeg in my kitchen at all times because I bake with them constantly!
How to make this easy apple crisp recipe
There are two main components of this recipe: the crisp and the apple filling.
Start with the filling by peeling, coring, and slicing the Granny Smith apples. You want to make about 1/8 inch slices and toss those into a large bowl.
Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, cornstarch, Organic Ground Cinnamon and Organic Ground Nutmeg and use your hands to mix and coat the apples.
Set the apples aside then prepare the crisp portion. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almond flour, brown sugar, salt, Organic Ground Cinnamon and Organic Ground Nutmeg.
Using cold and cubed vegan butter, toss it into the bowl and use your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients. You want the dry ingredients to look evenly hydrated with a few butter clumps remaining.
Grease your cast iron skillet or an 8×8 baking pan…although I highly recommend a cast iron because it heats up and cools down very quickly to create a perfectly crisp exterior.
Press half of the crisp mixture into the bottom of your pan then spread the apples on top. Crumble on the rest of the crisp and bake.
It’s ready when the edges start to bubble and the top is golden brown. It’s best to eat after it’s had some time to cool, about 30 minutes. Top with your favorite dairy free ice cream and enjoy!
For more delicious gluten free recipes, check out my:
- Lemon Zucchini Bread (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie (Gluten Free)
- Banana Bread Cheesecake Cups (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)
Make sure to tag me @butternutbakery on Instagram or comment below if you make this Vegan & Gluten Free Apple Crisp. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card, the buttons above or below this post, or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
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This delicious gluten free apple crisp is also completely vegan! It’s quick and easy to make and has the perfect consistency…not too thick and not too runny. I’m very picky about my apple crisps but this is the best I’ve ever had.
Ingredients
Apples
- 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled cored and sliced
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Watkins Organic Ground Nutmeg
Crisp
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (certified gluten free)
- 1/2 cup quick oats (certified gluten free)
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Watkins Organic Ground Nutmeg
- 3/4 cup vegan butter, cold and cubed
Quick Vegan Caramel Sauce (a Pinch of Yum recipe)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. I used an 8″ cast iron skillet for this recipe but if you don’t have one available, an 8×8 baking pan will also work. Just make sure to spray your pan or skillet of choice with some nonstick cooking spray.
- Start by prepping the apples. You want to make 1/8 inch slices then toss them into a large bowl.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients and use your hands to evenly coat the apples. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, combine all of the crisp ingredients minus the butter.
- Once mixed, add in the COLD and cubed butter. Use your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients until it is evenly hydrated and a few butter clumps remain.
- Press half of the crisp mixture into the bottom of your baking dish. Add your apples on top. You might have to adjust some of the apples or press down to make room for the rest of the crisp.
- Crumble the rest of the crisp mixture on top and bake for 35-40 minutes. It’s ready when the juices have reached the edges and have started the bubble. The top should be an even golden brown. If you find your crisp is darkening too quickly, cover in aluminum foil and continue to bake.
- While the crisp cools, make the vegan caramel sauce. It’s completely optional but it’s also SO quick to make so…why not?
- Mix together the coconut oil and maple syrup in a heat safe container. Pop it in the microwave for about 1 minute then whisk in the almond butter.
- Keep whisking until it thickens. If it still looks too thin, place it in the fridge for about 10 minutes then try to whisk again. The more you whisk, the thicker it gets. Mix in the salt.
- After about 20-30 minutes, your apple crisp is ready to serve! Top with your favorite dairy free vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the vegan caramel. Enjoy!
Keywords: apple crisp, gluten free apple crisp, vegan apple crisp
Can I make this non vegan and use regular flour and butter?
Yes, both are 1-to-1 replacements
I CANNOT!!! THIS LOOKS SO GOOD!! Beautifully done, Jenna!
★★★★★
Thanks so much Kasey!!