This is the best ever recipe for Gluten Free Apple Crisp because it’s so easy! It is warm and gooey in the middle with the perfect amount of crisp on top.
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Easy Gluten Free Apple Crisp
Nothing says Autumn has arrived like the smell of the best ever gluten free apple crisp baking in the oven. Also, the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, apples, oats, and brown sugar wafting through the kitchen is practically torture.
Thankfully, apple crisp is meant to be eaten warm, so you don’t have to wait an agonizing eternity for it to cool before digging in.
You’ll want to wait just long enough though because you don’t want to burn your tongue so bad you won’t be able to taste it. Don’t be like me, I’m speaking from experience.
The best apple crisp recipe is the original version of my Gluten Free Caramel Apple Crisp. And while this recipe is more basic, its flavor profile is anything but basic.
Why is this the Best Ever Gluten Free Apple Crisp Recipe?
Warm spices and sweet sugar, sweet apples, hints of citrus, a buttery oatmeal crumb that basically tastes like an epic oatmeal cookie…
You’ve got soft and crisp textures. Flavor profiles like sweet and spice. Warm crisp paired with cold ice cream or whipped cream. You’ve basically got everything you’ll ever want in this gluten free apple dessert which is why it’s so addictingly good.
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Contrasting flavors, textures, and temperatures. In fact, this is a DESSERT GOLDMINE my friends! This is the reason why apple crisp will forever and always be a popular dessert.
It may sound old-fashioned, but it’ll never go out of style. Apple crisp is the little black dress of the dessert world.
Serve this gluten free apple crisp (aka dessert gem) with your favorite vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream. OR be a little extra (why not?!) and serve it with white chocolate ganache whipped cream. Delicious, indeed!
It’s also good leftover straight out of the fridge. Just pretend it’s something like apple pie overnight oats and you’ve got yourself a winning breakfast 😉
Ingredients for Gluten Free Apple Crisp
For the Filling:
- Fresh apples. Seriously, you can’t make an apple crisp without fresh apples. Apples that you’ve picked yourself at the orchard are even better!
- Citrus Zest. This gluten free apple crisp recipe gets so much of its flavor from the addition of a little orange zest and lemon zest. It gives so much dimension to the flavor profile – don’t skip it!
- Gluten Free Oats – Gluten free apple crisp with oats is the only way to go, IMO. Use purity protocol oats if necessary for your dietary needs. My husband doesn’t have Celiac Disease so we use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats.
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup light brown sugar 60 g
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 g
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the Topping:
- ¾ cup gluten free flour blend 103 g, see notes
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum 2 g – omit if your flour blend contains it
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar 73 g
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar 75 g
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup gluten free old-fashioned oats 50 g
- ½ cup butter cubed and cold ( 4 oz.)
Equipment Needed to Make Homemade Apple Crisp
- 9-inch Pan – You can make this in a Deep 9-Inch Pie Dish or a 9×9 inch square baking pan. Either works! If you want to double the recipe, use a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Stand mixer or hand mixer – While you could technically do it by hand, it’s faster and easier to make the topping with a stand mixer or hand mixer. Working that cold butter into all the dry ingredients is hard work!
- Microplane Zester/Grater – the best and easiest way to get that lemon and orange zest. I use mine for parmesan cheese too so it’s a multipurpose tool!
- Organic Bamboo Cutting Board – Thick Strong Bamboo (XL 18×12)
- OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler
- Ice Cream Scoop
- Silicone Baking Utensils
- All-Clad Measuring Cups
- All Clad Measuring Spoons
- Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowl Set
Steps to Make Gluten Free Apple Crisp
Step 1. Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. (I use Coconut Oil Spray.)
Step 2. Then, combine the sliced apples, citrus zest, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix to completely coat the apples then transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Step 3. In the meantime, add the gluten free flour, xanthan gum (if using), granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and gluten free oats to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix to combine all the ingredients. Add the butter and mix on low until a dough forms and comes together.
Step 4. Crumble the topping over the apples being sure to evenly cover all the apples. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes until hot and the apples are bubbling at the edges.
Step 5. Finally, serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
The Best Apples for GF Apple Crisp
Firm/Crisp apples are the best apples for baking. Specifically, use a combination of sweet and tart apples give this gluten free fruit crisp the best flavor. Don’t know what apples to pick? Read my article on choosing the Best Apples for Baking 🍏
Pro Tips for Making Easy Homemade Gluten Free Apple Crisp
- This recipe can be doubled. Need to feed a crowd? Double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 pan! Bake about 50 minutes to an hour.
- Don’t skip the zest! Particularly, don’t skip the orange or lemon zest. It brings a different dimension of flavor to the apple crisp and it won’t be the same (or as good!) without it.
Can I Make This as a Dairy Free and Vegan Apple Crisp?
To make this dairy free, use Nutiva Shortening in place of the butter. While I haven’t tried it myself, you can also try subbing with refined coconut oil or a vegan butter of your choice.
Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter is my go-to for dairy free butter, without a doubt!
Other Gluten Free Apple Recipes to Try
- Gluten Free Apple Pie Bars – tastes like apple pie but with less work.
- Gluten Free Caramel Apple Crisp – this apple crisp with caramel added. It tastes like caramel apples but even better!
- Apple Muffins
- Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce – we specifically LOVE this recipe with roast pork in the Fall and winter!
- The Gluten-Free Quick Breads Cookbook -also this recipe is in my cookbook, The Gluten-Free Quick Breads Cookbook!
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Gluten Free Apple Crisp
Free Apple Crisp. Full of sweet apples, a crisp oatmeal topping, and warm spices, it’s warm and cozy Fall dessert.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ pounds apples peeled and sliced (about 5 medium apples, see notes)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest 3 g
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest 3 g
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup light brown sugar 60 g
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 g
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch 18 g
For the Topping:
- ¾ cup gluten free flour blend 103 g, see notes
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum 2 g – omit if your flour blend contains it
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar 73 g
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar 75 g
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup gluten free old-fashioned oats 50 g
- ½ cup butter cubed and cold ( 4 oz.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a 9x9 inch baking dish or 9-inch deep dish pie plate with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, orange zest, lemon zest, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Mix well and pour into the prepared baking dish.
- To make the topping, add the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and oats to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix to combine.
- Add the cubed butter and mix on low to incorporate. When the dough starts to come together, crumble it over the top of the apples.
- Place the baking dish over a rimmed baking sheet (in case the apples bubble over) and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the topping is browned/crisp and the apples are bubbling.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
Notes
- For this recipe, I used a mixture of 3 Granny Smith Apples, 1 Honey Crisp Apple, and 1 Golden Delicious Apple but any combination of baking apples will work!
- I use my Nightshade-Free Gluten Free Flour Mix in this recipe.
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information
Disclaimers
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren't always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and let me know in the comments! You can also leave a photo/comment on this pin for others to see.
Yum
Best GF apple crisp. The topping has great texture and stays nice and crispy. Next time I’ll cut back on the nutmeg though.
Thank you Gail!
My daughter has celiac disease and she cannot tolerate any oats, what could I use in place of oats in the crisp.
Mary, you can leave the Oats out and just keep a simple topping. Most Apple Crisp Recipes are with Flour & Oats or just Flour…….Depending on the mood, we switch out often. I just made this recipe……literally just took it out of the oven and we love it. Enjoy.
Hi Mary, I haven’t tried this recipe with an oat sub.