Description

This Gluten-Free Apple Crisp is a warm, comforting dessert perfect for fall or any time you crave a sweet, fruity treat with a crunchy topping. Made with fresh apples, a buttery spiced filling, and a crisp oat and pecan topping, it’s naturally gluten-free and can be adapted to vegan diets with butter substitutes. Baked to golden perfection, this apple crisp pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream for a delightful finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Filling

3 lbs. apples (peeled, cored, cut into 1/4-inch slices)
2 Tbsp. butter (or vegan butter substitute)
½ cup coconut sugar (or white sugar)
1 tsp. apple pie spice
¼ tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Crumb Topping

6 Tbsp. butter (softened, or vegan butter substitute)
⅓ cup coconut sugar (or white sugar)
⅔ cup flour (gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend)
½ cup oats (old-fashioned, gluten-free)
½ cup pecans (coarsely chopped)
½ tsp. cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat while preparing the apple mixture and topping.
Cook Apple Filling: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced, peeled, and cored apples along with ½ cup coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the apples are tender but still slightly firm.
Add Lemon Juice: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to brighten the flavors and prevent browning.
Prepare Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, combine 6 tablespoons softened butter with ⅓ cup coconut sugar using a fork or pastry cutter until mixed. Add ⅔ cup gluten-free flour, ½ cup gluten-free oats, ½ cup chopped pecans, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and cut or mix until coarse crumbs form.
Assemble Dish: Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the cooked apple filling into the dish and evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples.
Bake the Crisp: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crunchy.
Serve: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then serve warm topped with vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream for a delicious dessert experience.

Notes

You can substitute white sugar for coconut sugar if preferred, though coconut sugar offers a richer flavor and lower glycemic index.
Using vegan butter substitutes makes this recipe suitable for a vegan diet.
Ensure oats and flour are certified gluten-free to maintain gluten-free status.
For extra crunch, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the crumble topping.
Apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work well due to their balance of sweetness and tartness.
Serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is highly recommended for a traditional pairing.