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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Desserts » Healthy Apple Crisp (Gluten Free)

    Healthy Apple Crisp (Gluten Free)

    October 10, 2021 (updated August 17, 2022) by Danielle Esposti

    May contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

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    Pinterest image for a gluten free apple crisp recipe.
    Pinterest collage for an apple crisp recipe with gluten free topping.
    Pinterest image for an apple crisp recipe with gluten free topping.
    Pinterest collage for a gluten free apple crisp recipe.

    Classics are classic for a reason. Sweet and crumbly, our cleaner gluten free Apple Crisp is a fall dessert mainstay you can feel really good about coming back to again and again. Spiced apples bake until tender in a buttery, maple glaze under a canopy of crunchy nuts and whole-grain oats. Naturally gluten-free, it’s a dish best served warm. With vanilla ice cream. In a very large bowl.

    Two bowls of healthy gluten free apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream on a table with a white linen napkin.
    Jump to:
    • A Healthier Twist on a Classic
    • How to Make Healthy Apple Crisp
    • Tips for Making This Recipe Perfectly
    • What Kind of Apples Should I Use?
    • More Apple Recipes
    • Recipe


    I’ve extolled the virtues of the galette (a.k.a. lazy lady pie) many a time, but in all honesty, there’s an even lazier “pie” out there, and that, my friends, is “the crisp.”

    Spiced, soft apples topped with crisp streusel – seriously, what’s NOT to love?

    Well, if you’re gluten free, there’s the flour. And if you’re trying to curb your kids’ sugar intake (ahem) there’s that too.

    For a condensed post, click to view the web story for this recipe.

    A Healthier Twist on a Classic

    Yes, there’s a different – arguably better?!? – way to do it.

    Healthy. Apple. Crisp.

    Less butter, if that’s your thing. Fewer refined sugars. And completely gluten free.

    While traditional crumb topping usually consists of butter, sugar and flour, this cleaner apple crisp uses oats and nuts to create a sweet, hearty celebration of cozy, fall goodness that you can feel pretty darn good about.

    As if you needed another excuse to go apple picking…

    How to Make Healthy Apple Crisp

    Apple crisp is one the easiest dessert recipes, and I promise anyone can master it!

    Gluten free topping for apple crisp in the bowl of a food processor.
    Pulse oats, nuts, and brown sugar until crumbled.
    Sauteed apples in a skillet; pouring sweetener, seasonings, and thickener into apple crisp filling.
    Sautee apples until soft.
    Whisk maple syrup, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over apples.
    Apple crisp with gluten free topping n a casserole being being baked.
    Top spiced apples with oat mixture.
    Gluten free apple crisp fresh from the oven in a casserole dish.
    Bake 25 minutes at 350°F.
    1. Make the topping. Combine oats, pecans, walnuts, and brown sugar (or coconut sugar) in a food processor, and pulse until coarse. Add cold butter, and pulse until just incorporate. Place the topping in the fridge while you make the filling.
    2. Sauté the apples. Sauté diced apples in butter until they release their juices and soften slightly.
    3. Add the sweetener and thickener. Whisk maple syrup, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, then pour into the apples. Simmer until the sauce thickens (it only takes a minute or two).
    4. Prepare the crisp. Scrape the apples into a casserole dish, then sprinkle evenly over the filling.
    5. Bake the crisp. Bake in a 350°F oven until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
    6. Serve. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
    A serving spoon dipped into gluten free apple crisp with a white and gold linen on the side.

    Tips for Making This Recipe Perfectly

    • Double-check your oats and make sure they’re gluten free.
    • Oat selection matters – use old-fashioned oats, not quick cooking or steel cut.
    • Mind your nuts too! Don’t use salted nuts (i.e. for snacking) and there’s no need to pre-toast.
    • Dice the apples small (about 1″). Leave the peel intact if you prefer.

    What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

    An apple is an apple is an apple? Not so fast. There is such a thing as baking apples.

    Select apples that are more tart than sweet (they’ll still taste apple-y after being sweetened with brown sugar) and are firm so they hold up well to baking. We used Honeycrisp in this recipe. Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonagold, and Braeburn are also all great baking apples.

    Left - gluten free apple crisp with several servings removed in a casserole dish; right - apple crisp with gluten free topping and vanilla ice cream in a bowl with a spoon and linen napkin.

    More Apple Recipes

    • Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding
    • Easy Apple Galette
    • Air Fryer Apples
    Two bowls of healthy apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream on a cement background with a white and gold linen napkin.

    Did you make this healthy, gluten free Apple Crisp? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    A bowl of gluten free apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream on a table with a white linen napkin.

    Healthy Apple Crisp (Gluten Free)

    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Simple prep and a slow bake make this traditional dessert a chef's favorite. Create a caramelly glaze by sauteeing apples with butter, vanilla, and spices until tender. Liberally sprinkle on a sweet topping of walnuts, pecans, and oats and bake your Gluten Free Apple Crisp until golden. For best results, and clean bowls, serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
    Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
    Total Time: 55 minutes mins
    Servings : 8
    Calories: 360

    Recommended Equipment

    • 9×13 Casserole Dish
    • 12″ Skillet
    • Food Processor

    Ingredients

    Topping

    • 1 c old-fashioned oats, gluten free
    • 2 oz pecans, heaping ½ cup
    • 2 oz walnuts, heaping ½ cups
    • ½ c packed light brown sugar, or coconut sugar
    • ¼ c butter, diced into small pieces

    Filling

    • 6 medium baking apples, about 3 lb, peeled, cored, and diced to ½”
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • ⅓ c maple syrup
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp nutmeg
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • Vanilla ice cream, to top
    • Caramel sauce, to top

    Instructions

    • Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F. Spray a 9×13” casserole dish with cooking spray.
    • Make the topping. Combine the oats, walnuts, pecans, and brown sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a coarsely chopped. Add the butter and pulse briefly, just until the butter is incorporated. Place the topping in the fridge to chill while the filling cooks.
      Gluten free topping for apple crisp in the bowl of a food processor.
    • Heat a 12” skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and heat until it melts. Add the apples, toss to coat in the fat, and simmer until the fruit releases its juice and the apples soften, 8-10 minutes.
      Sauteed apples in a skillet; pouring sweetener, seasonings, and thickener into apple crisp filling.
    • Combine the maple syrup, cornstarch, vanilla extract, vanilla and nutmeg in a 1-cup measuring cup or small bowl; whisk until smooth. Pour into the apples, then toss to evenly coat. Simmer 1-2 minutes more, or until the sauce thickens.
    • Scrape the apples into the prepared casserole dish, then sprinkle the topping evenly over the filling.
      Apple crisp with gluten free topping n a casserole being being baked.
    • Transfer to the oven and bake 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream.
      Gluten free apple crisp fresh from the oven in a casserole dish.

    Notes

    • Double-check your oats to ensure they’re labeled “gluten free”
    • Use old-fashioned oats, not steel cut or quick-cooking
    • Storage:  cover leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the microwave.
    • Make-ahead:  apple crisp can be made up to 1 day in advance; to reheat, cover with foil and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. 

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 360kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 65g (22%), Protein: 2g (4%), Fat: 12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 4g (20%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 18mg (6%), Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 171mg (5%), Fiber: 10g (40%), Sugar: 37g (41%), Vitamin A: 64% (64%), Vitamin C: 29% (29%), Calcium: 24% (24%), Iron: 5% (5%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    7 Comments
    Filed Under: Desserts, Fall Recipes, Gluten Free, Holiday Recipes Tagged With: apples, coconut palm sugar, maple syrup, refined sugar free

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