This healthy apple crisp is so quick and easy to prepare, and so delicious! It's vegan, gluten free, and refined sugar free, yet still has all the cozy fall flavors like cinnamon and warm baked apples. It also has a crispy and chewy oat topping, pairing perfectly with the apples and a scoop of ice cream.
It's almost September, and for me that means looots of apples! Although I eat apples all year (almost every day😅), it's so comforting in the fall to have warm, cinnamon-y baked apple desserts, like this apple crisp!
This recipe is very similar to this Healthy Vegan Strawberry Crisp that I posted mid-summer (one of my favorite desserts on this page btw), but with a completely different flavor profile.
It basically tastes like apple pie, but with a crispy, chewy oat topping. Not only does this taste amazing, but it also makes this a million times easier than making a pie 🙂
This recipe is gluten free, vegan, and refined sugar free. It's so easy to make, which is good because in my house it disappears in less than an hour😂
Ingredients in Gluten Free Apple Crisp
The ingredients are super simple, just 5 for the filling and 7 for the topping! You can throw it all together in minutes.
You’ll start with 6 cups of thinly sliced apples, about 4 medium. This is a great way to use up old apples, but fresh ones of course will work.
Toss them in some cornstarch, cinnamon, lemon juice, and coconut sugar. We’re keeping things minimal here, but each serves an important purpose and cannot be skipped.
Cinnamon provides that unbelievable flavor and smell that you can’t get from anything else. Definitely don’t skimp here!
Lemon juice also acts as a flavor enhancer, but in a much more subtle way. The acidity cuts through the sweetness so the flavors are more balanced. You won’t notice it, but it does make a difference. And speaking of sweetness...
Although apples are sweet on their own, we do need a bit of sugar so it tastes like dessert. But instead or regular refined sugar, we’re using coconut sugar! It’s a granulated, unrefined sweetener from coconuts, but works just as well as regular sugar.
If you don’t have any, feel free to substitute cane or brown sugar. It won’t be as healthy, but hey, it’s dessert! A little sugar won’t kill you. I do not recommend using honey or maple syrup; they will make the filling too liquidy.
And finally, to hold it all together, you’ll use a little cornstarch. This way it forms an actual filling instead of apples + soup.
For the crisp topping, it’s the same as the one in this Strawberry Crisp!
First off is the oats. To ensure this recipe is gluten free, make sure to buy certified gluten free rolled oats. They’re high in fiber and make the topping super crispy.
For the chewiness factor, we’re using almond flour! Almond flour is not actually flour, it’s just really finely grounded almonds. Make sure you buy blanched almond flour for the best texture. And since it’s made of purely almonds, you also get all those health benefits like protein and healthy fats.
Baking soda and salt are the last of the dry ingredients. Like the lemon juice, salt enhances the flavor, but it will not make it salty. The baking powder is not to make it fluffy, just so it’s not dense.
To hold everything together, we use maple syrup and avocado oil.
Maple syrup acts as a sweetener, and it’s unrefined and natural like coconut sugar. But unlike coconut sugar, it’s liquid and binds all the dry ingredients, with the oil.
The avocado oil is what makes the crisp crispy! Unlike most oils, it’s not chemically processed and it’s a great source of healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
I really hope you like this recipe! If you decide to make it, be sure to post a picture/story (or dm me!) and tag me @nutritiousdelights on Instagram--I'd love to see it!💗
More recipes you might love:
Healthy Vegan Strawberry Crisp
Healthy Peanut Butter Date Granola
Gluten Free Apple Crisp (Healthy, Vegan)
Ingredients
Filling
- 6 cups thinly sliced apples, peeled about 4 medium
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Crisp Topping
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons gluten free rolled oats
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons blanched almond flour
- 5 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 8" x 8" baking dish. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all the filling ingredients fully, then transfer to the prepared pan. Wash out the bowl or get a new one. Mix together all the crisp topping ingredients, then spread evenly on top of the apples. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm with a scoop of nondairy ice cream.
[…] beautiful foods in season. Right when September hit (okay, fine, it was August 31), I posted this Gluten Free Apple Crisp to start the season. Now it's pumpkin's time to […]