Gluten Free Apple Crisp

4.8 from 14 votes
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Topped with a buttery, crumbly oat topping, this Gluten Free Apple Crisp is the perfect dessert for fall. This easy recipe comes together in minutes and is even better when you serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe

When it comes to fall desserts, many people go straight for the pumpkin pie or apple pie. While I do enjoy a lively slice of Gluten Free Apple Crumb Pie, let’s be real. I can totally forego crust and just dig into those sweet, cinnamon apples and buttery crumb toppings.

That’s why I love a good Gluten Free Apple Crisp. It’s all apples and all crumbs, with no need to fuss with a crust. That actually makes this a healthier dessert too. The apples themselves are tossed with just a bit of sugar. And that topping is loaded with old-fashioned rolled oats and almond flour. So yes, it’s a sweet treat that even packs in protein and fiber. I think that calls for a second serving.

Don’t forget the scoop of ice cream!

using a spoon to get a bite of apple crisp and ice cream

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

This apple treat is a fall favorite for so many reasons. Here’s why it will become a staple in your kitchen every fall.

  • Easy as pie. In fact, it is even easier than apple pie because you don’t have to fuss with making gluten free pie crust.
  • Quick to assemble. This entire crisp comes together in minutes. And you don’t even have to wait for it to cool because there isn’t much better than a warm scoop of apple crisp.
  • Sweet but wholesome. With tons of fruit and whole grain oats, there are healthy ingredients in this sweet dessert. You can even use unrefined sweeteners by replacing the brown sugar with coconut sugar.
serving spoon scooping up gluten free apple crisp out of a baking dish

Recipe Ingredients

For the apple filling

  • Apples: Peeled and sliced. As I will mention below, I like to use Golden Delicious, but use your favorite.
  • Granulated sugar: Just a bit. Feel free to use another sweetener.
  • Cinnamon: Always makes aples taste better.
  • Lemon juice: Keeps the apples from turning brown and the acid brightens the flavors.

What are the Best Apples to Use?

Generally, for baked apple desserts, you want to use an apple that is firm enough to not break down completely while baking. Otherwise, you will end up with a mushy crisp. And nobody wants that.

So crisp apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious are all good choices. The Granny Smith is a go-to for many people, but it can be a bit tart, which is why I usually choose Golden Delicious. But feel free to choose what you like best, or try a mixture, since all bring a slightly different flavor and texture.

For something different, you can even try Pink Lady, Crispin, Fuji, or Jonagold.

For the oat topping

  • Old fashioned oats: Not quick or instant. To ensure your dessert is gluten free, use certified gluten free oats. You can read more in my article, Are Oats Gluten Free?
  • Almond flour: Adds a little texture, protein, fiber, and a nice, nutty flavor.
  • Gluten free flour: I used a 1:1 blend. For this recipe, something like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 or Cup4Cup works great.
  • Brown sugar: Sweetens and adds a nice molasses flavor.
  • Cinnamon: For nice, warm spice.
  • Unsalted butter: Holds everything together.
ingredients to make a gluten free apple crisp with some green apples on a marble countertop

How to Make Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Now that you have all of your ingredients, let’s get started.

Prepare the apples: Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish glass baking dish (this is usually about 7×11-inches or 8×11-inches, depending on the brand) with nonstick cooking spray. Peel and evenly slice your apples, then toss them in a bowl with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

Make the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, almond flour, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss everything together with a fork or spatula. Pour in the melted butter and stir together until everything is thoroughly combined. It will be quite thick and crumbly. Scatter the topping over the apples.

Bake the apple crisp: Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the crisp is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Let it cool for 5 minutes before eating.

sprinkling powdered sugar over the top of a baked apple crisp

Serving Suggestions

Powdered sugar: If you want to keep it really simple, a little sprinkle of powdered sugar is all your need.

Whipped cream: Whether you get it from a can or container or make your own freshly whipped cream, it’s delightful to add a creamy element to the sweet-tart apples.

Caramel sauce: Apples pair so well with the fall-favorite flavor of homemade caramel sauce. Give your crisp a drizzle.

Ice cream: Personally, this is the only way I go. You can stick with vanilla from the store, or double up on the apple flavor by making No-Churn Caramel Apple Ice Cream.

Yogurt: Either frozen yogurt or a dollop of sweetened Greek yogurt will give you that creamy contrast in a healthier way.

scooping ice cream on top of an apple crisp

Tips for the Best Crisp

Cut the apples evenly: You want the apple slices about the same size so that they bake evenly. I like to use one of those apple corers and slicers that you press down on the apple to form wedges. Then I cut each of those slices in half. You can also cut the apple into quarters, cut out the core, and cut each quarter into three or four slices.

Don’t work it too much: While you want the topping ingredients combined, you don’t want to overmix it because you’ll want to be able to scatter it over the apples so that when it bakes, it forms a nice crumbly topping.

Feed a crowd: If you need more servings, you can double the recipe and bae it in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Variations

Use unrefined sugars: Try using coconut sugar or a low carb sweetener like Serve Brown for the topping. You can swap the sugar in the filling for maple syrup or raw honey, which will also give it a great flavor.

Make it nutty: Try adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture for extra crunch.

Mix something in: Feel free to add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries in the apple filling mixture, if that’s your thing. You can also swap some or all of the apples for pears.

Turn it into a cobbler: You can make the same filling and top it with the dough from this Gluten Free Peach Cobbler.

apple crisp served on a small white plate with two scoops of vanilla ice cream on top

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Cover any leftover gluten free apple crisp with plastic wrap, or transfer it to an airtight container. Then store it in the refrigerator, but be sure to enjoy it within 3 or 4 days.

To reheat it, you can place the entire baking dish in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Or microwave individual servings on a microwave-safe plate or bowl.

apple crisp with crumbly oat topping and powdered sugar on top in a baking dish

Shop the Recipe

Brianne Recommends

GLUTEN FREE OATS: Remember, you’ll want to look for certified gluten free oats.

BAKING DISH: I used a basic 7×11-inch glass Pyrex baking dish. Though it would also bake up nicely and look a little more elegant in a 2-quart ceramic casserole.

APPLE SLICER: I like to use this tool to get nice, even apple slices. After I slice it, I cut each wedge in half.

apple crisp with crumbly oat topping and powdered sugar on top in a baking dish
4.8 from 14 votes

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Topped with a buttery, crumbly oat topping, this Gluten Free Apple Crisp is the perfect dessert for fall. This easy recipe comes together in minutes and is even better when you serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the apple filling:

  • 6 cups peeled and sliced golden delicious apples (about 6-7, can substitute your favorite variety)
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the oat crumb topping:

  • 1 cup old fashioned oats , certified gluten-free if needed
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • ½ cup 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup (one stick) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish or 7×11-inch or 8×11-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, add the sliced apples, and sprinkle with the sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Toss everything together to coat the apples evenly, and transfer them to the prepared baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the oats, almond flour, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss together with a fork or spatula.
  • Pour in the melted butter and stir together until everything is thoroughly combined. Scatter the topping over the apples.
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the crisp is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Let it cool for 5 minutes before eating. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Apple Crisp
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 318 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 107mg4%
Potassium 161mg5%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 27g30%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 406IU8%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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