Easy Gluten Free Apple Crisp + VIDEO

Forget boring apple crisps, because this one has extra flavor from pure maple syrup, nutmeg and allspice. Plus, I have a trick for making the gluten-free crumbled topping turn out even better! You’ll want to bookmark this for fall, or anytime you have some extra apples around. This can also easily be dairy-free, and is already free of: wheat, gluten, egg, soy, fish, shell fish, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame.

This post contains affiliate links.

WHY THIS APPLE CRISP ROCKS

So many apple crisp recipes just use butter, apples, sugar and cinnamon. Their list is incredibly short, and I’d say short sided. The addition of nutmeg, allspice and pure maple syrup give this a spiced, aromatic feel that just beats out all of the competition!

Plus, many recipes just use regular sugar with the apple mixture, and I find brown sugar to give a deeper color and taste.

I also spice both the apple base AND the crumble on top to ensure there is nothing bland about this recipe. And, the apple to crisp ratio is on point! I like a hearty topping to go with my apples, which you can see from the photos is plentiful.

Another trick I use is melted butter. I know most crumble recipes will say to work in pieces of butter and to leave little pea sized amounts, but I just don’t find that works well with gluten-free flour. I find it is still often powdery and unmixed when you leave it the traditional way, even after baking. By melting it before adding it, it ensures your crisp topping is actually crisp. This is the only way to go!

If you love apple pie, this has all the flavors, but without the fuss of a crust. I actually prefer making this because it’s so much simpler, and if I had to pick between a crust and a crumble, crumble wins hands down every time.

WHAT GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR TO USE

There are only two things in this apple crisp that cause it to have gluten: the flour and the oats. The gluten-free flour that I use is the most economical, Walmart’s brand: Great Value All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour. 

If you would like to use a different brand, note that all brands are different in the grains they use and the ratios they use so that may affect the end result. I would think this would also work with King Arthur’s Measure for Measure since they’re fairly similar. I like to look for brands that are mostly: rice flour, potato starch and tapioca starch. Make sure yours includes xanthan gum.

The other ingredient that many with Celiac, a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance have to worry about are the oats. Oats in and of themselves do not contain gluten, but the worry comes in the way they’re processed and manufactured. Many stress that they will come into contact with gluten containing grains and be cross contaminated. If that is a worry of yours, be sure to use a brand that is certified gluten-free. I use Bob’s Red Mill certified gluten-free old fashioned oats.

WHAT APPLES TO USE

A lot of people will tell you what apples to use, but I say use what you’ve got, or what are your favorite ones. I know some people like sour apples to balance the sweet, and some prefer a sweeter apple. Go with your preference.  You will need four apples.

Also–I didn’t peel the apples for the photo shoot to give it more red coloring, but I do prefer them peeled. Most recipes do not call for you to remove the skin, but I like the mouthfeel of a peeled apple better. It is an extra step, so only do it if it’s worth it to you as well.

You will also need to core them and cut them into bite sized pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster they’ll cook.

HOW TO MAKE THIS APPLE CRISP DAIRY FREE

This apple crisp is already free of the top 8 out of the 9 allergens. The only top allergen it has is butter (milk), and that can easily be swapped out with dairy-free butter. I’d recommend either Country Crock Plant Butter with Olive Oil or Earth Balance Buttery Sticks (they have a soy free version too). If you do that, this apple crisp will be top-9-free and super allergy friendly!

If you need this apple crisp to be corn free as well, you can sub out the cornstarch for tapioca starch. 

WHAT TYPE OF MAPLE SYRUP TO USE

Make sure that you use pure maple syrup. Do not use pancake syrup. Pure maple syrup will come in grades (golden, amber, dark, very dark). It will be more expensive than pancake syrup and maple syrup should be the only ingredient in the ingredient listing. You can use whatever grade you want, but just make sure it’s the real deal. By adding this golden nectar it melds with the sweet apple juices and it almost makes a caramel-y sauce that is lickable!

WHAT TO TOP APPLE CRISP WITH

Besides the delicious crumble that we’re going to make, it can also be extra delicious to put sliced almonds or pecans on top for an extra crunch (if you do not have a tree nut allergy). It is also delightful with some vanilla ice cream that will melt from the warm crisp. Or, whipped cream is also good. To really go over the top, I love a little caramel drizzle, and if you need a milk free alternative try my easy 2 ingredient dairy free caramel sauce.

WHAT INGREDIENTS THIS GLUTEN FREE APPLE CRISP NEEDS

• BASE:
  • Firm apples, cored and diced
  • Brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Cornstarch
  • Table salt
  • Ground allspice
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Vanilla extract
• TOPPING:
  • Gluten free all purpose flour
  • Brown sugar
  • Gluten-free certified oats
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Unsalted butter
  • Optional garnishes: sliced almonds, chopped pecans, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or dairy free caramel sauce

WHAT TOOLS YOU NEED

• Large and medium sized mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons 
• Knife and cutting board
• Glass pie plate or square 8×8 or 9×9 pan
• Non-stick spray
• Hot pads

IS THERE A VIDEO SHOWING HOW TO MAKE THIS CRISP?

Yes there is! By reading all of the FAQs above and watching this video you should be a pro at making this before you even begin. The video should auto populate, and if it doesn’t, it is embedded in the recipe card at the bottom. If all else fails, you can watch it on my YouTube channel.

MORE GLUTEN-FREE FALL FAVORITES

If you like fall flavors and spices, then you’ll also love my gluten free French apple tart, gluten free pumpkin scones, dairy free soft caramel popcorn, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and my cinnamon applesauce muffins. Everything on my site is gluten-free, so enjoy all 300+ of my recipes in my index.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT. BE SURE WHILE YOU’RE THERE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER GLUTEN-FREE PINS.