Vegan and Gluten Free Apple Crisp

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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