A healthier version of a classic dessert made with wholesome ingredients and the flavors of autumn!
I love homemade apple pie. But I do not like the mess and work involved in making pie crust. Plus, I recently learned that my niece cannot tolerate gluten, so I’m always looking for desserts I can share with her. Luckily, this easy vegan gluten-free apple crisp crumble suits her needs, my tastes, and my partner’s desire to avoid animal-based ingredients. It was almost too much to hope for that it would also be delicious!
This dessert delivers all the autumn-inspired flavors of an apple pie baked from scratch. I chose Granny Smith apples, so mine had delightfully tart undertones that were sweetly tempered by the coconut sugar and complemented by the bright acidity of the lemon juice. The cinnamon, oats, and almonds brought in those fall vibes with warm, earthy notes. All in all, this dish makes for a cozy, satisfying dessert any time of year!
I also love how quickly and easily this recipe comes together. It takes less time than most pies and cakes I’ve tried, even with 20 minutes of cooling after it comes out of the oven. In fact, if I pop it in the oven while I’m making dinner, it’s the perfect temp for serving by the time we’ve finished eating.
Is This Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Crumble Healthy?
This recipe is a healthier dessert option compared to traditional apple crisps. It’s plant-based and naturally gluten-free, focusing on nutrient-dense ingredients. Apples are rich in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like quercetin and catechin. Almond flour and slivered almonds provide healthy fats, protein, vitamin E, and magnesium. Tapioca starch is a grain-free and gluten-free thickener, and coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than white sugar. However, this dessert is moderately high in calories, fat, and sugar—so it should be treated as an indulgent treat and enjoyed in moderation.
To lower the saturated fat in this dish, you could replace part of the coconut oil with unsweetened applesauce or a small amount of avocado oil. Make a Paleo-friendly version by skipping the oats and topping the apple filling with a mixture of extra nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes.
Crisp Vs. Crumble Vs. Crisp Crumble
An apple pie has a crust, so it’s easy to identify. But what’s the difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble? And what makes this dessert a little of both? The answer lies in the topping.
An apple crisp typically includes oats and sometimes nuts in its topping. When baked, this combo creates a rustic, crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, spiced apples beneath. The oats give the crisp its name and signature crunch. On the other hand, an apple crumble features a topping made primarily from flour, sugar, and butter—without oats or nuts—resulting in a finer, more cake-like crumb.
This apple crisp crumble blends elements of both desserts. The topping combines oats—a hallmark of a crisp—with almond flour, tapioca starch, coconut sugar, and slivered almonds, echoing the crumbly, buttery texture of a traditional crumble while delivering the extra crunch and heartiness associated with a crisp.
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Allow leftover apple crisp crumble to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container to avoid sogginess. It’ll stay delicious in the fridge for up to 5 days, but expect the topping to soften over time. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Enjoy leftovers cold or warm the crisp in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-20 minutes. If it starts to brown too much, cover loosely with foil.
What Can I Use In Place Of Tapioca Starch?
Cornstarch is an acceptable substitute for tapioca starch that is also gluten-free—but it’s more potent, so you’ll only need 1 teaspoon in this recipe. You’ll notice some slight differences in texture, but it’ll still be a delightful dessert!
Mixing Up The Flavor Profile
This apple crumble gives autumn vibes as is. Amp up that cozy warmth by adding nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, or allspice to the apple filling or adding a dash of vanilla extract or cloves to the topping. Stir a little orange or lemon zest in with the apples for a bright, citrusy note. Dried cranberries, cherries, or blueberries would add tartness and chewiness to the apple filling, and chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts would add crunch and nutty depth to the topping.
Serving Suggestions
This easy vegan gluten-free apple crisp crumble would pair nicely with a scoop of gluten-free Coconut Milk Ice Cream With Rum And “Eggnog,” Sugar-Free Frozen Yogurt, or Mango Frozen Yogurt. It’s also lovely with a simple Café De Olla or a Homemade Caramel-Vanilla Iced Coffee.
Recipe
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 large apples peeled and cored
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- 2 teaspoons tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats 1.59 ounces/45 grams
- 1/3 cup almond flour 1.2 ounces/34 grams
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch 1.06 ounces/30 grams
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons + 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Rub a pie plate with coconut oil. Slice the apples very thinly.
Make The Apple Filling:
- In a large bowl, stir together the apples, coconut sugar, almond flour, tapioca starch, cinnamon, and lemon juice until well combined. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Make The Topping:
- In a separate medium bowl, stir together the oats, almond flour, tapioca starch, slivered almonds, coconut sugar, and pinch of salt.
- Once well mixed, add the oil. Use your hands to mix everything together until the mixture is fairly evenly crumbly, with a few larger crumbs for texture.
Assemble And Bake the Crumble:
- Spread the topping mixture over the apple mixture.
- Bake until the top is golden brown and the apples are soft and bubbly, about 50-60 minutes.
- Let cool for 10-20 minutes. Serve while warm.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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