This easy gluten free apple crisp is the coziest, most comforting dessert you’ll make all season. It has a perfectly gooey, cinnamon-spiced apple filling and an addictive, crunchy crumble topping. As a mom juggling family life and a passion for wholesome food, I’m all about comfort that feels good. This recipe is one of those nostalgic desserts that brings everyone to the table, reminding me of my own childhood but beautifully simplified for my modern, gluten-free kitchen. It’s one of my all-time favorite gluten free recipes with apples!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This is so much simpler than making a pie. You just mix, dump, and bake.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these pantry staples already.
- Perfectly Balanced: It’s the ideal mix of sweet, tart, gooey, and crunchy no soggy toppings here!
- A Crowd-Pleaser: This is the ultimate fall dessert for Thanksgiving, family dinners, or any cozy evening. It’s a hit with everyone, whether they’re gluten-free or not.
- Unbelievably Delicious: The rich, buttery crumble topping (with a secret nutrient boost!) takes this classic dessert over the top.
Ingredients Needed for gluten free apple crisp
I’ve grouped the ingredients into the two simple components you’ll be making.
For the Apple Filling:
- Apples: 7-10 of your favorite baking apples (Granny Smith and Cortland are fantastic for a tart flavor, but a mix is even better!)
- Spices: About 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, plus a pinch of nutmeg (optional, but lovely).
- Salt: Just a tiny pinch to balance the sweetness.
For the Gluten-Free Crumb Topping:
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup of a blend that contains xanthan gum.
- Gluten-Free Oats: 1/2 cup (use certified gluten-free oats).
- Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup, firmly packed.
- Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, softened to room temperature. For a dairy-free version, use a high-quality vegan butter stick.
- Flaxseed Meal: 1-3 tablespoons (optional). This is my secret for adding a bit of healthy fiber and omega-3s. It blends right in, and no one will ever know!
- Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon for that classic, warm flavor.
How to Make Gluten Free Apple Crisp
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get out your baking dish (a 9×9 square, 8×8, or a 9-inch round pie plate all work great).
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice your apples about 1/4-inch thick. You don’t need to be perfect. Place all the apple slices into a large mixing bowl.
- Season the Filling: Sprinkle the cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and pinch of salt over the apples. Toss everything together with your hands or a spatula until the apples are evenly coated in spice.
- Assemble the Base: Pour the seasoned apples into your baking pan and spread them into an even layer.
- Make the Crumb Topping: In the same large bowl (no need to wash it!), add all the crumb topping ingredients: the GF flour, GF oats, brown sugar, softened butter, flaxseed meal, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Mix the Topping: Using a pastry cutter or just your hands, work the butter into the dry ingredients. Mix and squeeze the mixture until it’s crumbly and holds together in small clumps when you press it. Mixing by hand is best to get those perfect, rustic crumbles.
- Cover the Apples: “Drop” small pieces of the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apples. Continue until the apples are completely covered with that delicious topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake at 350°F for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is a beautiful golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Pro-Tip: Check the crisp at the 30-minute mark. If the crumble topping is browning too quickly, just lay a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the top. This lets the apples continue to cook until tender without the topping burning.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: This glutenfree apple crisp is best served warm. The ultimate way to serve it is with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream (use a non-dairy version for a completely gluten and milk-free dessert). A drizzle of caramel sauce also takes it to the next level.
- Storage: Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: You can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. To get the topping crispy again, reheat it in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Helpful Notes
- Dairy-Free Version: This is one of my favorite gluten dairy free apple desserts because the swap is so simple. Just use your favorite brand of dairy-free butter sticks (meltable, not a spread) at room temperature.
- Nut-Free: This recipe is naturally nut-free, just be sure to check that your GF flour blend and oats are not processed in a facility with nuts.
- “No Flour” Topping: For a no flour apple crisp topping, you can experiment by replacing the 1 cup of GF all-purpose flour with 1 cup of almond flour. The texture will be slightly different but just as delicious.
- Fall Twist: Want a Gluten Free Pumpkin Crisp? Try swapping out half of the apples (about 4-5 apples) for 1 cup of pure pumpkin purée. Mix the pumpkin in with the apples and add 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the filling.
The Only Apple Crisp You’ll Ever Need
This recipe truly is a winner. It’s a simple, reliable, and incredibly delicious dessert that brings all the cozy fall feelings. The buttery, crunchy topping combined with the soft, spiced apples is a perfect match every single time.
If you try this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and a star rating below—it helps other readers find it. I’d love to know what you think!
And if you love it, don’t forget to share it on Pinterest or Facebook! What’s your favorite apple to use for baking? Let me know in the comments!
More Gluten-Free Recipes To Try!
Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Crunchy Oat Topping
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- Apples: 7-10 of your favorite baking apples Granny Smith and Cortland are fantastic for a tart flavor, but a mix is even better!
- Spices: About 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon plus a pinch of nutmeg (optional, but lovely).
- Salt: Just a tiny pinch to balance the sweetness.
For the Gluten-Free Crumb Topping:
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup of a blend that contains xanthan gum.
- Gluten-Free Oats: 1/2 cup use certified gluten-free oats.
- Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup firmly packed.
- Butter: 1/2 cup 1 stick of butter, softened to room temperature. For a dairy-free version, use a high-quality vegan butter stick.
- Flaxseed Meal: 1-3 tablespoons optional. This is my secret for adding a bit of healthy fiber and omega-3s. It blends right in, and no one will ever know!
- Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon for that classic warm flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get out your baking dish (a 9×9 square, 8×8, or a 9-inch round pie plate all work great).
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice your apples about 1/4-inch thick. You don’t need to be perfect. Place all the apple slices into a large mixing bowl.
- Season the Filling: Sprinkle the cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and pinch of salt over the apples. Toss everything together with your hands or a spatula until the apples are evenly coated in spice.
- Assemble the Base: Pour the seasoned apples into your baking pan and spread them into an even layer.
- Make the Crumb Topping: In the same large bowl (no need to wash it!), add all the crumb topping ingredients: the GF flour, GF oats, brown sugar, softened butter, flaxseed meal, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Mix the Topping: Using a pastry cutter or just your hands, work the butter into the dry ingredients. Mix and squeeze the mixture until it’s crumbly and holds together in small clumps when you press it. Mixing by hand is best to get those perfect, rustic crumbles.
- Cover the Apples: “Drop” small pieces of the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apples. Continue until the apples are completely covered with that delicious topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake at 350°F for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is a beautiful golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Pro-Tip: Check the crisp at the 30-minute mark. If the crumble topping is browning too quickly, just lay a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the top. This lets the apples continue to cook until tender without the topping burning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples for gluten-free apple crisp?
This is the most common question! The best apples are firm, tart varieties that hold their shape during baking. My favorites are Granny Smith (for that classic tart flavor) and Honeycrisp. Cortland, Pink Lady, and Braeburn are also excellent. You can even use a mix of a tart apple (like Granny Smith) and a sweeter apple (like Gala) for a more complex flavor. Avoid softer apples like Red Delicious, as they tend to turn to mush.
Are oats gluten-free?
This is the most important safety question! Oats themselves are naturally gluten-free. The problem is cross-contamination. Oats are often grown in fields next to wheat and processed on the same equipment, which means they are not safe for people with celiac disease. To make this recipe truly gluten-free and safe, you must use oats that are specifically labeled “Certified Gluten-Free” or “Purity Protocol Oats.”
Why is my gluten-free apple crisp topping not crispy?
This is a frustrating problem! It usually happens for one of three reasons:
- Your butter was melted: This recipe calls for softened room temperature butter, not melted. Melted butter will create a soggy, dense topping.
- You overmixed it: If you mix the topping until it’s a fine paste, it won’t be crispy. You want to stop mixing when you still have pea-sized crumbles and clumps.
- Wrong ratios: Using too much butter or not enough flour/oats can make it greasy instead of crispy. Stick to the ratios in the recipe for the best results.
Can I make gluten-free apple crisp without oats?
Yes, absolutely. If you have an oat sensitivity, you can create a delicious topping without them. A simple substitute is to replace the 1/2 cup of oats with an additional 1/2 cup of your gluten-free all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup of almond flour. This creates a more sandy, “crumble” style topping that is just as delicious.
What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
It’s all about the topping! Traditionally, an apple crisp contains oats, which “crisp up” during baking. An apple crumble (or a gluten free crumble recipe) does not contain oats; its topping is a simpler mixture of flour, sugar, and butter that resembles streusel. These days, the names are often used interchangeably, but the oats are the classic difference.
Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes, and this is the best way to do it for a party. To prevent a soggy topping, do not assemble it ahead of time.
- Prepare the apple filling and spread it in your baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
- Prepare the crumb topping and store it in a separate airtight container in the fridge.
- When you’re ready to bake, just take both containers out, sprinkle the cold topping over the apples, and bake as directed. It’s one of the best gluten and milk free recipes to prep in advance!
