Apple Crisp That Just Feels Right
Too many gluten-free desserts feel like they’re trying too hard – bland, crumbly, or somehow both soggy and dry. I’ve had apple crisps that tasted like sugared mulch. Not this one. This easy apple crisp recipe gluten free does what it’s supposed to do: warm spiced apples, a golden oat topping, and the kind of comfort that doesn’t apologize for skipping the wheat.
You can use gluten free flour, almond flour, or go full apple crisp recipe with no flour at all. It still works. That’s the magic here – no kitchen gymnastics, just simple, solid ingredients.
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
I don’t like recipes that make you chase odd stuff. This one keeps it straightforward:
- 6 apples, sliced thin (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp bring the best balance)
- ½ cup certified gluten-free oats
- ¼ cup almond or oat flour
- ¼ cup melted butter (plant-based works too)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or plain sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: vegan ice cream or unsweetened dairy-free yogurt
You won’t need binders, gums, or mystery starches. Just real food that does its job.
Instructions
Preparation
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss your apples with half the cinnamon, sweetener, and that pinch of salt. Spread them in a baking dish – not too deep – and keep it to one layer. That’s how you keep things from turning into applesauce.
Cooking
In a bowl, stir oats, flour, butter, and the rest of the syrup or sugar until you’ve got a crumbly, clumpy mix. Nothing fancy – it should barely hold when pinched. Scatter it over the apples like you’re building a lazy crumble. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the edges bubble and the top turns a bit toasty.
Serving
Wait a few minutes unless you want a burnt tongue. Then serve it in bowls. Top it if you want to, or just grab a spoon and enjoy it as-is.
Some extras that work:
- Vegan ice cream (especially vanilla or cinnamon)
- Plain coconut yogurt
- A drizzle of almond butter, if you’re feeling wild
Nutritional Value Per One Serving
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~290 kcal
- Total Fat: ~9 g
- Saturated Fat: ~2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: ~100 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: ~50 g
- Dietary Fiber: ~3.5 g
- Sugars: ~35 g
- Protein: ~2 g
Tips and Variations
I’ve made this so many times, I could probably do it blindfolded. Here are a few tweaks that work:
- Toss chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking for texture
- Trade maple syrup for coconut or brown sugar to change the depth of sweetness
- Add lemon zest or a splash of vanilla to sharpen the flavor
If there’s any left the next day – which is rare – just reheat gently. The apples stay soft, and the top crisps right back up.
Conclusion
Call it apple crisp healthy gluten free, call it a vegan gluten free apple crisp recipe, call it Tuesday night comfort food. This one holds up – no strange textures, no complicated swaps, no dry apologies. Just good, cozy food that feels like it belongs in your oven.
If you’re hunting for a gluten free apple crisp with no flour that actually tastes like something you’d make again, this might be the one.
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