This rustic and flavorful Easy Vegan Apple Crisp uses fresh Granny Smith apples and a gluten-free and refined sugar-free topping! It's full of savory fall flavor and a scoop of dairy-free ice cream takes it to the next level.
This vegan and gluten-free apple crisp is packed with fresh, juicy apples that are perfectly sweetened and then baked until perfectly tender. They are topped with an easy crumb topping that is perfectly crispy and golden brown. It is total apple crisp perfection and no one needs to know how easy this recipe is. No fancy equipment needed.
You only need one bowl to combine the ingredients (I reuse the same bowl for the crisp topping as I do for the apple filling - just like my blueberry crisp) and of course a casserole dish to bake it in. Once everything is prepped, just let it do it's thing in the oven as your house smells incredibly cozy. This is a fall comfort food must!
I absolutely love buying groceries at Sprouts Farmers Market. It is a go-to for me. I make so many vegan and gluten-free meals from scratch that their bulk department is a must!
It's a really affordable way to buy my most-used ingredients in bulk, but it's also really nice when I only need a little bit of a certain ingredient. I'm all about reducing waste whenever possible! I also frequent their produce section for all of my in-season favorites.
Since fall is here I had to grab some Granny Smith apples and use them in an Apple Crisp!
For this Easy Vegan Apple Crisp I used Granny Smith Apples as well as Himalayan pink salt, coconut sugar, and blanched almond flour products from the Sprouts bulk foods section. It is mega addictive with a scoop of my vegan vanilla ice cream and vegan caramel drizzle.
Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
Making a gluten-free Apple Crisp is actually super simple. I thickened the sauce around the apples with arrowroot powder, and then used gluten-free oats and blanched almond flour in the crisp topping. Easy as pie! Well...easy as crisp! I buy blanched almond flour in the bulk section of Sprouts and then store it in a Mason jar in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
The Best Apples for Apple Crisp
I chose Granny Smith apples for this crisp recipe! They have a bright, natural sweetness and tang that works so perfectly with the cinnamon crisp topping. I also love how their cheerful green color looks sitting on my counter before I cook with them!
Are Apples Healthy?
Yes! I love using apples in desserts because they have the perfect natural sweetness. You don't need to add any refined sugars to make a dessert that totally satisfies your sweet tooth!
Apples are full of disease-fighting nutrients and incredible health benefits! They keep you hydrated because of their high water content, they’re low in calories, fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and full of fiber and vitamin C. Vitamin C helps keep your gums and teeth healthy, so they keep the doctor and the dentist away!
Check out my article about the health benefits of apples in The Washington Post.
Health Benefits of Oats
Oats are a really wonderful whole grain to include in your diet. According to the Whole Grains Council, Oats provide a good source of protein, selenium, fiber, iron, B1, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. They also provide at least 50% of the recommended daily value of manganese.
Oats also contain compounds called polyphenols which have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially reducing the effects of chronic inflammation. And, unlike other grains, oats almost never have their bran and germ removed during processing.
Scientific studies have concluded that oats contain a special kind of fiber called beta-glucan that has been found to be effective in lowering cholesterol. They also contain a unique antioxidant, avenanthramides, that helps protect blood vessels from the damaging effects of LDL cholesterol.
Additionally, oats have been shown to keep you fuller longer (and actually suppress appetite) and have high levels of protein and healthy fats. They have even been shown to help promote gut health.
Because of their naturally sweet flavor oats work so well in dessert recipes like this one. I also love the rustic texture that the oats give the topping in this vegan apple crisp recipe! Lots of spots for the ice cream to settle in and get all yummy. For this recipe, I prefer to use quick cooking oats for the best texture.
Vegan Apple Crisp with Ice Cream
One of the best parts of eating a classic apple crisp is topping it with ice cream! It gets all melty and combines perfectly when served together. I serve this recipe with my Blender Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream and a drizzle of vegan caramel.
This is a classic, easy vegan apple crisp made totally vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. It's also absolutely delicious! I hope you'll try it!
More Apple Recipes
Vegan and Gluten-Free Apple Cake
Refined Sugar-Free Apple Butter
Instant Pot Homemade Applesauce
Creamy Vegan Cinnamon Vanilla Fruit Dip (for apples)
Easy Vegan Apple Crisp (Gluten-Free + Refined Sugar-Free)
- Total Time: 70-75
- Yield: 10 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This rustic and flavorful Easy Vegan Apple Crisp uses fresh Granny Smith apples and a gluten-free topping. This recipe is refined sugar-free and so simple to pull together.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 3 lbs. Granny Smith apples, (~ 7 medium apples) skinned, cored, stem removed, thinly sliced and chopped (9-10 cups once sliced and chopped)
- 2 Tbsp. arrowroot powder
- ¼ C. pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
For the topping:
- 2 C. quick cooking oats (gluten-free if desired)
- 2 C. blanched almond flour
- ½ C. coconut sugar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. Himalayan fine salt
- ½ C. pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 6 Tbsp. softened vegan butter or softened coconut oil (not melted)
Serve with:
- blender vanilla ice cream (vegan)
- instant caramel sauce (vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 13 x 9-inch ceramic baking dish with vegan butter, avocado oil or coconut oil.
- In a large-sized mixing bowl combine all apple filling ingredients until well incorporated (9 cups apple slices, 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder, ¼ cup pure maple syrup and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon). Place in greased casserole dish. Set aside.
- In the same bowl combine 2 cups quick cooking oats, 2 cups blanched almond flour, ½ cup coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon Himalayan fine salt. Stir well to incorporate. Add ½ cup pure maple syrup and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and stir well. Add 6 tablespoons softened vegan butter or softened coconut oil use a fork to mash until well incorporated and crumbly. Use your hands to sprinkle this mixture overtop the apples into one even layer that mostly covers the apples. Do not press the mixture down into the apples.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place the baking dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Cook for 45 minutes covered and then 5-10 minutes uncovered until the apple filling is bubbling on the sides and the cobbler topping is golden brown. The apples should be fork tender.
- Remove from oven and serve while hot with my homemade vegan caramel sauce and my easy homemade no-churn vegan vanilla ice cream
Equipment
Buy Now →
Notes
Be sure to peel the apples. I have tested this recipe with the skin on and the texture is not as good.
My biggest tip for apple crisp success is to be sure to thinly slice your apples so they become fully tender. I like to slice them as thin as I can and then halve the slices.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 50-55
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
Keywords: healthy apple crisp
This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. All opinions are my own.
Maureen Mulvaney says
This recipe is a staple in my house. My son and I absolutely LOVE it! It’s not too sweet (I reduce the coconut sugar and maple syrup just a bit), not too tart, and has great texture. We enjoy it anytime of day; my son especially loves it as an after school snack. Elaine’s recipes never disappoint. Try it- you will be hooked!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Maureen! So happy you all enjoy it so much! I really appreciate the five star rating and thoughtful review! Best, Elaine 🙂
Teri says
We cant's have any sweeteners except for a small amount of maple syrup. What happens to the this recipe if I eliminate the coconut sugar? Is it just not as sweet or does it change the consistency?
Elaine Gordon says
Hi, Teri! So sorry for the delay... I hope I'm not too late... perhaps you could try swapping maple syrup for the coconut sugar although I'm not sure what the quantity would be as I've only tested it as written. It would also affect the consistency since you are using a liquid sweetener as opposed to a granulated sweetener (dry). I definitely wouldn't leave it oat as without the sweetness it really will not taste like a dessert. What do you typically sweetened your desserts with?
Hilary F says
This recipe was so easy to make and so delicious!! The smell coming from my oven was intoxicating!! Unfortunately, I did not have coconut sugar and used brown sugar. The apple corer saved lots of time. I highly recommend this recipe!!
Kristi says
I searched the internet for a dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free apple crisp, and started making the recipe before I realized it was yours, Elaine. I should have gone to your site first, but I found my way here.
I have grown tired of making 2 or even 3 different things due to dietary needs, so I am trying to find things that we can all enjoy.
Freshly picked apples calls for a crisp, and I am using your recipe. Thank you for putting this recipe on your site. It will be a hit.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Kristi! I'm so happy to hear you found your way to this one. We actually just made it last night for my daughter's half birthday (she requested it and loved this one this time of year). I hope it was a hit! Thank you for the five star review! Best, Elaine
Lisa Levitt says
Finally made this apple crisp recipe. It is absolutely delicious snd so easy to make!!! Thanks for the wonderful recipes!!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Lisa! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one and found it easy too! Best, Elaine
HN says
absolutely Gorgeous!! Great recipe, I wouldn't change a thing!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, HN! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this one. Thank you for the comment. If you get a chance, please leave a star rating as well. It helps my business so much. Best, Elaine
Nicole Hutton says
This is so easy and so comforting! While also being healthy! Win win win!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Nicole!