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One of my favorite desserts to make in the fall is my Gluten Free Apple Crisp recipe. My easy recipe uses only simple ingredients like fresh apples, warm spices, rolled oats and a gluten-free flour blend.
If you have an abundance of apples from apple picking or grocery shopping, try making this easy apple crisp. It has all the flavors of classic apple pie without a crust, so it’s quick and easy to make.
I like to make a big apple crisp so we have enough for dessert and breakfast the next day. However, if you want a smaller fruit crisp, you can halve this recipe and bake it in a standard square baking pan.
Whether it’s for a special occasion during the holiday season or an average weeknight, the whole family will love this simple fruit dessert.
Apple Filling Ingredients
- 12 cups of apple slices (about 16 apples peeled, cored and sliced)
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- ¼ cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of arrowroot starch or cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Crisp Topping Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of gluten free all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups of gluten free rolled oats
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup of salted butter
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Apple corer/peeler/slicer
- Pastry blender
- Whisk
- Large baking dish
By the Numbers: How to Make the Best Gluten Free Apple Crisp
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make a delicious gluten-free apple crisp.
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350˚ F and gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Make Apple Filling
Add 12 cups of apple slices to a large casserole dish. I like to use an apple peeler/corer/slicer to make perfect slices.
In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup of granulated sugar, ¼ cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
Pour the liquid mixture over the apple slices, then stir to combine.
Step 3: Make Apple Crisp Topping
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the crisp topping, including 1 ½ cups of gluten free flour, 1 ½ cups of gluten free oats, 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
Add 1 cup of cold, cubed butter to the mixing bowl.
Use a pastry blender to combine well. It should still be loose, not clumpy like when you make a crumble.
Sprinkle the crunchy topping evenly over the cinnamon apples in the pan.
Step 4: Bake Apple Crisp
Bake the apple crisp for about an hour or until the apple slices are fork tender and the topping is browned and slightly crispy. Once it’s done, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool. It will sink as it cools.
Step 5: Serve Apple Crisp
Serve warm topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired. Try adding a drizzle of caramel sauce to take the flavors over the edge! Leftovers taste great cold for breakfast too.
Tips for Making this Gluten Free Apple Crisp Recipe
Answers to all of your questions about making an easy gluten free apple crisp, including tips and substitution ideas.
Dairy free option
The only dairy in this recipe is butter. You can easily use solid coconut oil or vegan butter (like Earth Balance) in place of the butter to make a vegan apple crisp.
Best apples
You can really use any variety of apple you have access to. I personally prefer sweet apples like pink lady and honeycrisp apples. You can also use tart apples like granny smith apples, but you may want to add a bit more sugar to counterbalance the flavors.
Best oats
I only use certified gluten-free rolled oats that are also organic. Nature’s Path is my favorite brand, but you can use any type of rolled oats. I don’t recommend using steel-cut oats.
Storage tips
If you have leftover apple crisp, you can cover the pan with plastic wrap once it’s cooled to room temperature and store it in the fridge. If there’s not a lot left, you can also transfer it to an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eat within 4 days.
More gluten free apple dessert recipes
If you want to continue making tasty apple desserts, try some of these recipes:
- Gluten Free Apple Pie With Crumble Topping
- Gluten Free Apple Muffins
- Crock Pot Apple Butter
- Instant Pot Applesauce
- Dehydrated Apple Chips
Gluten Free Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 12 cups apple slices - about 16 apples peeled, cored and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot starch - or cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Topping Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten free all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups certified gluten-free oats
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup salted butter - cold and cubed
Equipment
- Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Apple peeler/corer/slicer
- Pastry blender
- Whisk
- Large baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350˚ F and gather your ingredients.
- Add apple slices to a large casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, lemon juice, arrowroot and cinnamon.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the apple slices, then stir to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine topping ingredients, including gluten free flour, gluten free oats, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
- Add cold butter to the mixing bowl.
- Use a pastry blender to combine well. It should still be loose, not clumpy like when you make a crumble.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the top of the apples in the pan.
- Bake the apple crisp for about an hour or until the apple slices are fork tender and the topping is browned and slightly crispy. Once it’s done, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool. It will sink as it cools.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream. It also tastes great cold for breakfast!