This Gluten-Free Apple Crisp recipe combines the sweet flavor of baked apples with a brown sugar oat crumble topping. The recipe also has a dairy-free option.
Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is a classic dessert that everyone loves. Making an apple crisp gluten-free is super easy and only takes a few simple ingredients.
If you have never had apple crisp, it’s much like an apple pie without the crust. I love that this apple crisp is made with a crumb topping made with oats and brown sugar!
My husband loves when I make apple desserts and baked goods with apples. My family loves my Easy Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins, Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts, and my Gluten-Free Apple Dapple Bundt Cake.
How To Make Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
- Preheat oven to 375°F and spray an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with gluten-free nonstick cooking spray.
- To make the topping: in a medium-size bowl, combine the crumb topping ingredients and mix with a fork until it resembles small crumbs. Refrigerate while you prepare the apple filling.
- Peel and chop the apples. Add the chopped apples to a large bowl. (photo 1)
- Add the lemon juice, milk, melted butter, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and salt and stir until fully combined. (photo 2)
- Pour the apple mixture into a greased baking dish and spread into an even layer. (photo 3)
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples. (photo 4)
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. (photo 5)
Watch the video or see the recipe card below for more details on How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Recipe.
What Are the Best Apples For Baking?
There are several types of apples that I like to bake with. When choosing a type of apple to bake with, you want to make sure that the apples don’t turn into mush. The best baking apples keep their shape.
- Granny Smith Apples are a little tart and not overly sweet. They are popular for making an apple pie. Granny Smith’s keep their shape and are the apples I used in this apple crisp recipe.
- Honey Crisp Apples are my favorite type of apples. They are crisp and sweet. They are perfect for eating or for use in baking.
- Gala Apples are crisp and not overly sweet. They are great for baking because they are a firm apple that is also sweet.
- Golden Delicious Apples are sweet and are a softer apple. A lot of times you don’t even need to peel these apples when you use them in a recipe. Golden Delicious apples are often used in making applesauce and apple butter.
What’s the best way to store apples?
Apples are best stored in a dry and cool place. If you are going to store them in the refrigerator, keep them away from other delicate produce because they produce ethylene gas that causes fruits and vegetables to ripen faster.
Should I peel the apples to make apple crisp?
Yes! I always peel my apples when making an apple crisp. The skins of the apples do not break down when baking and it makes for a tougher texture.
I use a vegetable peeler and then an apple slicer to core and slice the apples (see photo 1). Then I go the next level and chop the apple slices into smaller pieces (see photo 2).
Can I add nuts or other fruits to the apple crisp?
Sure you can! I know a lot of people like to add nuts, raisins or cranberries to their apple crisp.
Can I make the apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep this dessert ahead of time. When making the filling, add an extra teaspoon on lemon juice to help the apples not to get too brown. Store the apple filling in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
You can make the crumble ahead of time as well. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours as well.
When ready to bake, remove everything from the refrigerator, assemble and bake as directed.
How To Store Apple Crisp
Once the apple crisp is cooled, store in an air-tight container and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
Can I Freeze The Apple Crisp?
Once the apple crisp has completely cooled, place in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Is apple crisp, apple crumble, apple cobbler or apple buckle the same dessert?
No, they are not the same. All of the recipes include baked apples but their toppings are different.
The apple crisp recipe uses oats and a crumble recipe does not. Cobblers are different as they are baked with a biscuit-style topping. An apple buckle is apples baked together with cake and a streusel topping.
Gluten-Free Oatmeal
The gluten-free apple crisp topping is made with gluten-free oatmeal. You may be thinking, is oatmeal gluten-free? Oats are naturally gluten-free, but most oats are processed in facilities that also process wheat, barley, and rye. Cross-contamination can even happen in fields where wheat, rye or barley are also present.
Not everyone following the gluten-free diet can tolerate oats. It is safest to use oats that are certified gluten-free and from purity protocol oats.
Gluten-Free Flour
This gluten-free apple crisp is made with a rice flour cup for cup blend. A cup for cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend is one that already has xanthan gum it.
Most gluten-free all-purpose flour blends have xanthan gum already in them. The xanthan gum helps replace the elasticity and texture of gluten.
Make sure to check to see if the brand of gluten-free flour you are using has xanthan gum in it. If it does, do not add extra xanthan gum to the recipe or you will get gummy baked goods!
I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
Tip For Measuring Gluten-Free Flour
Gluten-free flour is different than traditional wheat flour. I feel that the best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. I use a spoon to scoop the flour out of the bag and into the measuring cup. Then I use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup.
Please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup. If you do, you could end up with more flour than is called for in the recipe.
Gluten-Free And Dairy-Free Apple Crisp
I have also included a dairy-free option for this gluten-free apple crisp recipe. There are three of us that are also dairy-free in my family (me included). So now, you too can enjoy a gluten-free and a dairy-free apple crisp.
For the dairy-free version of this recipe, I used Smart Balance butter and almond milk.
Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are almond, cashew or coconut milk. I also like baking with coconut oil or Earth Balance or Smart Balance butter.
Looking for a vegan gluten-free apple crisp recipe? If you use Vegan butter and dairy-free milk, this recipe would also be vegan too.
This is the best gluten-free apple crisp recipe! It is a super easy gluten-free dessert to make. This apple crisp can be made in 40 minutes and is always a crowd-pleaser.
You can take your apple crisp to the next level by topping with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce (my kids favorite)!
Kitchen Tools For Making Apple Crisp
- Vegetable peeler– helps makes peeling apples quick and safely.
- Apple slicer– this tool is my favorite way to cut apples. It easily cores the apples and slices the apples into bite-sized pieces.
- 8″x”8 Glass Baking Dish– this dish is the perfect size for making apple cobbler. I prefer a glass baking dish over a baking pan for this recipe. Glass baking dishes distributes heat more evenly and keeps warm longer out of the oven. I also feel they are easier to clean.
More Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes To Try!
- Cinnamon Roll Cake {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option}
- Gluten-Free Coconut Cream Pie {Dairy-Free Option}
- Easy Gluten-Free Brownies {Dairy-Free Option}
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Gluten-Free Apple Crisp {Dairy-Free Option}
Ingredients
Topping
- 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour
- 1/2 cup gluten-free quick oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar ,packed
- 1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup butter, diced into small cubes and softened ,or dairy-free butter (Smart Balance)
Filling
- 4 cups peeled and chopped apples
- 3 tablespoons melted butter ,or dairy-free butter (Smart Balance)
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons milk ,or almond, cashew or coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar ,packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and spray an 8" x 8" baking dish with gluten-free nonstick cooking spray.
- To make the topping: in a medium-size bowl, combine the crumb topping ingredients and mix with a fork until it resembles small crumbs. Refrigerate while you prepare the apple filling.
- Add the chopped apples to a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, milk, melted butter, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour and salt and stir until fully combined.
- Pour the apple mixture into a greased baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the apples. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Store in an air-tight container and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. The apple crisp can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw int he refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 350° oven for 20 minutes.
Video
Notes
- I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
- For the dairy-free option, I used Smart Balance butter and almond milk.
- Store in an air-tight container and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
- The apple crisp can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw int he refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 350° oven for 20 minutes.
- Mama says, "Check all of your labels."
Catherine says
Oh my, this apple crisp looks so heavenly, I can just smell it baking in the oven now!! And I love that it can be made ahead of time, pinning!!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Catherine for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! This apple crisp is one of my family’s favorite and I love how easy it is to make. I hope everyone enjoys it! Thank you again.
Bev says
My son who is not gluten free gave this dish a “two thumbs up”.
I also took it to a luncheon with relatives and they all loved the recipe.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Bev for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that everyone loved the recipe. That really makes my heart happy, thanks again!
Amy says
DELICIOUS!!!! I only had Red Delicious apples and it still worked out amazingly. I also made a homemade butterscotch glaze to top this. Will make again for sure!!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Amy for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the apple crisp. Homemade butterscotch glaze sounds amazing! Thank you again!