Gluten Free Apple Crisp - Best Healthy Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe! (2024)

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Sep 29, 2021 Sep 6, 2023

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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.

Gluten Free Apple Crisp - Best Healthy Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe! (2)

Table of Contents

  • Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe
  • Why You’ll Love this Recipe
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • How to Make Gluten Free Apple Crisp
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Tips for the Best Crisp
  • Variations
  • How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
  • Shop the Recipe
  • Get the Recipe
  • More apple recipes

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!

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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.
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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.
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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.

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Gluten Free Apple Crisp - Best Healthy Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe! (7)

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.

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Gluten Free Apple Crisp - Best Healthy Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe! (9)

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

    Gluten Free Apple Crisp - Best Healthy Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe! (18)

    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 mins

    Cook: 50 minutes mins

    Total: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

    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 318Calories 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.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Dessert

    Cuisine: American

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    Did you make this?

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    Categories:

    • Desserts
    • Desserts
    • Diet
    • Fruit
    • Gluten Free
    • Holidays
    • Recipes
    • Thanksgiving

    More apple recipes

    When fall is here, there is nothing better than apple desserts like these:

    • Gluten Free Apple Bundt Cake
    • Apple Candy Bar Salad
    • Flourless Caramel Apple Cookie Dough Dip
    Gluten Free Apple Crisp - Best Healthy Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    What type of apples are best for apple crisp? ›

    What Makes A Good Apple For Apple Crisp? The best apples for baking keep their structure under heat, which prevents the chunks of fruit from turning into mush after baking. The firm and crisp Granny Smith and Honeycrisp varieties are popular apples to use in apple pies and apple crisps.

    What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble? ›

    Like an apple crisp, an apple crumble is a baked fruit dessert with a layer of topping. But unlike the crisp, the crumble topping rarely includes oats or nuts. Instead, a crumble's topping is more like streusel, made with flour, sugar and butter.

    How do you thicken apple crisp filling? ›

    Adding cornstarch and flour to the apple mixture will help bring your crisp's filling together. You want to make sure you have a nice balance of the sweet and tart in your dessert.

    Should you refrigerate apple crisp before baking? ›

    You can prepare the crisp through step 3, then cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked crisp for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then continue with step 4. Bake time will be a little longer since the crisp will be cold.

    How do you keep apple crisp from getting soggy? ›

    How do you keep Apple crisp from getting soggy? You need enough butter in your topping, try both melted or cold cut into the dry ingredients. Also, there needs to be enough texture to keep it from just flattening into the fruit below.

    Why is my apple crisp not crunchy? ›

    Why is Apple Crisp not crispy? Don't forget to evenly distribute the butter with the topping. That melted butter helps crisp everything up on top for the perfect texture and flavor!

    Which apples stay crisp the longest? ›

    Storage quality also varies by cultivar. The best apples to store long-term have thick skin and tend to be crisp and tart. Apple varieties such as Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, McIntosh, Winesap, Honeycrisp, Northern Spy, and Rome are known to store very well given the proper conditions.

    What apples are the Crispiest? ›

    What Are The Crunchiest Apples?
    • Crisp Apples Ranked: Crunchiest to Least Crunchy.
    • SweeTango. ...
    • Honeycrisp. ...
    • Cosmic Crisp® ...
    • Pink Lady® ...
    • Rave® ...
    • Pinata® ...
    • Granny Smith.

    What is the secret to good crumble? ›

    ❓FAQ
    • Use cold butter. This will help to create a crumbly texture that will not stick together when baking.
    • Use a mix of flour and oats. The oats will add a bit of crunch and texture to the topping.
    • Don't overmix the ingredients. The crumble topping should be made with a "coarse" crumb.
    Jun 5, 2023

    Why is it called Brown Betty? ›

    This has led some historians to believe that Betty was the name of the cook and creator of the recipe and that brown was in reference to her skin color.

    What's the difference between brown betty and apple crisp? ›

    Both are very similar apple desserts, but the difference mainly comes down to the crumble topping: Instead of the flour and oat mixture used in an apple crisp, an apple brown betty uses breadcrumbs for its crumbly, delicious topping.

    Why are my apples mushy in my apple crisp? ›

    Picking the wrong apples

    Softer apples like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or Macintosh break down too much in the heat of the oven, basically turning into applesauce. So avoid those, and opt for a variety that's firm and crisp like Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp.

    What apples are best for apple crisp? ›

    When it comes to finding the best apple for your crisp, go with a crisp, tart variety that stands up well to baking, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Or, go for it – try mixing the two together if you've got both on hand. Golden Delicious is another great choice for crisp hausarbeit schreiben lassen kosten.

    How do I know when apple crisp is done? ›

    Bake the apple crisp until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crisp, about 45 minutes. Serve the crisps warm with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream, if desired.

    Can I cut apples the night before for apple crisp? ›

    We prefer to prep the apples when we make the crisp, but you can prep them ahead of time. Peel and slice the apples and toss them with lemon juice, then pack tightly in freezer bags and refrigerate for up to one day.

    Can you eat apple crisp the next day? ›

    Covered and refrigerated, this apple crisp will stay fresh for 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 325°F for 10 minutes, or until warmed through. The streusel oat topping will begin to soften after the first day, so be aware of that (though it will still taste great regardless!).

    How do you keep apples from getting mushy in crumble? ›

    I usually give them a short blast in the microwave; not long enough to send them to mush, but just enough to keep their shape and texture and the oven will do the rest. I usually slice the apples quite thinly then put the crumble mixture on top and put the dish on a baking sheet.

    How to make apple crisp less runny? ›

    The best way to prevent a watery apple crisp is to use a thickener in the filling – some recipes use flour, but I've chosen to use cornstarch in this recipe (or arrowroot starch, which can be substituted 1:1 for cornstarch) because I think it provides superior thickening power.

    Do you refrigerate apple crisp after baking? ›

    Do I need to refrigerate the Apple Crisp? Apple Crisp is very much like apple pie in that it doesn't NEED to be refrigerated, but the shelf life will be extended if you do store it in the refrigerator. I recommend storing it on the countertop for up to two days, or up to four days in the refrigerator.

    Why is my crumble so doughy? ›

    Often this happens if the crumb topping is over-mixed or if the butter was much too hot. Over-mixing will leave you with a pasty, batter-like mixture rather than the crumbly topping you are aiming for. Using very hot butter can cause the sugars to melt, leaving you with a greasy and not crumbly mixture.

    What happens if you put too much butter in crumble? ›

    If you use more butter than the recipe calls for, the crumb topping will be melted and greasy. If you don't use enough butter it will be dry and floury.

    How to thicken apple crisp? ›

    One common method is adding a bit of cornstarch or flour to your apple mixture before baking. This helps absorb some of the juices and thickens things up. Another tip is to let the apple crisp sit a bit after taking it out of the oven; as it cools, the filling will naturally thicken a bit.

    Which apples are not crunchy? ›

    Golden Delicious – The Golden Delicious sits at the bottom of the crunch list with soft skin and mellow, yellow apple flavors.

    What are the top 5 apples for baking? ›

    Which apples bake best? For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

    Which apples are Crispier Fuji or Gala? ›

    Texture & Use in Recipes: In terms of texture, Fuji apples are also a lot crisper, and less dense than Gala apples. So, they result in a firm bite with juicy flesh while Galas are softer and creamier. Their texture also means that Fujis are better for baking as they hold their shape better than Galas when cooked!

    Are Gala apples good for baking? ›

    Gala: If you want extra sweetness without the soft texture, choose Gala apples for your pie. As with Golden Delicious apples, bakers sometimes reduce the sugar in their recipes due to this variety's extra-sweet flavor.

    Are Honeycrisp apples good for baking? ›

    Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

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