Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Crunchy Oat Topping
This cozy, comforting gluten free apple crisp features a gooey, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. It's topped with an addictive, buttery, and crunchy crumble for the ultimate easy fall dessert.
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 9x9 square, 8x8, 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.