Full of classic warm spices and sweet apple flavor, gluten and dairy-free apple crisp makes for the perfect dessert everyone will love! It’s easy to make and full of simple ingredients you can feel good about.
Apple crisp has been one of my go-to desserts for years. So when my husband needed to eliminate gluten and dairy from his diet, I knew I could make a healthier apple crisp that was even better than my old recipe.
Just like my other desserts including oat flour chocolate chip cookies and gluten-free pumpkin cookies, this apple crisp is made with simple, healthy ingredients that give it an incredible rich flavor.
Served with dairy-free ice cream or healthy homemade ice cream, I’ve been told it tastes even better than the standard version which is full of refined sugar and flour!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Classic apple crisp flavor – Every bite is full of the classic sweet and slightly spicy apple crisp flavor you love!
Gluten & dairy free – Made without two of the most common allergens, almost everyone can enjoy this delicious dessert!
Refined sugar free – This recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar which gives it a rich, sweet flavor.
Simple ingredients – So many allergen-friendly recipes have ingredients that are just weird and I will never keep in my simple pantry. Not this apple crisp! If you don’t already have all of the ingredients, you can easily find them at almost any grocery store.
Healthier Ingredients – I’m not into sacrificing flavor for health when it comes to desserts, and you don’t need to make that sacrifice with this recipe! It’s filled with protein, healthy fats, and is even lower on the glycemic index. This makes it easy to justify eating leftovers for breakfast!
Easy recipe – Gluten free apple crisp isn’t complicated to make. You’ll be able to whip up a batch in no time!
Healthier Dessert
I’ve always loved a good dessert, and I can be pretty picky about them! Regardless of whether it’s healthy or not, dessert needs to be sweet, full of delicious flavor, and have a good texture. If not, I’ll just take more dinner. I also don’t want dessert that tastes too “healthy.” I’m not one to sneak in veggies, carob chips, or anything else like that!
With this in mind, I still knew I could create a delicious, healthier version of apple crisp that would satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth! Even though I haven’t sacrificed flavor for nutrition, this is still a healthier dessert choice.
Lower glycemic index – Since this recipe gets its sweetness from apples, maple syrup, and coconut sugar, it’s lower on the glycemic index than most desserts.
High in protein – Gluten free apple crisp uses lots of oats, oat flour, and almond flour, all of which are much higher in protein than white flour.
Fruit based – Apples not only taste delicious, but they are a wonderful source of nutrition as well! High in various vitamins and fiber, they are a great addition to a healthy diet.
Real ingredients – Made only with minimally processed real food ingredients, gluten-free apple crisp will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also provide significant nutrition as well.
What Type of Apples Should I Use?
The best apples for apple crisp are crunchy and have a good balance between sweet and tart. I usually use Gala apples since they have good flavor, are usually available year-round, and are budget friendly.
Feel free to use your favorite apple variety. You can even use a combination of apples to give it more depth of flavor.
Can I Prep Gluten Free Apple Crisp in Advance?
Yes! You can prep this recipe in advance, and it will turn out just as delicious.
To do so, prep the apples and topping separately and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Then spread the topping over the apples right before baking.
You don’t need to worry about the apples turning brown. Once it’s baked, you’ll never be able to tell the difference!
Tools You May Need
Food processor (if you’re making your own oat flour)
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Ingredients
Apples – Choose a variety that is crisp and has a good balance between sweet and tart flavor.
Rolled oats – Not quick oats. For extra nutrition, use sprouted oats. If it’s important that the apple crisp is gluten free, make sure to use gluten free oats.
Coconut sugar – This is my favorite granulated sugar substitute! In a pinch, you can use white or brown sugar instead.
Maple syrup
Oat flour – Homemade oat flour or store bought. If you need this recipe to be gluten free, use gluten-free oat flour.
Almond flour – For the best texture, make sure to use blanched almond flour, not almond meal. You can make your own, but I find that purchasing it is much easier and doesn’t cost too much extra.
Coconut oil – Softened. If you don’t need the apple crisp to be dairy free, you can substitute softened unsalted butter.
Vanilla extract
Spices
Salt – Sea salt or Himalayan
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: First preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9″x13″ glass baking dish.
Next, peel and slice the apples into medium-sized slices, placing them in a large mixing bowl. Once all the apples are peeled and sliced, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla.
Step 2: Mix the spices into the apples until the slices are well coated, and spread the apple mixture into the greased baking dish.
Step 3: Now it’s time to make the topping! Add the oats, coconut sugar, maple syrup, oat flour, almond flour, coconut oil, and salt to a bowl and stir until it’s well combined.
Step 4: Spread the topping evenly across the top of the apples.
Step 5: Place the apple crisp in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the apples are bubbling and the top is just beginning to turn brown.
Step 6: Enjoy warm on its own or with vanilla ice cream!
If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Tag me on Instagram @violet_rightathome
More Clean Eating Gluten and Dairy-Free Dessert Recipes
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins
Gluten and Dairy-Free Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon cloves
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats if you need the apple crisp to be gluten free, use gluten free oats
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 1/4 cup oat flour if you need the apple crisp to be gluten free, use gluten free oat flour
- 1 1/4 cup almond flour
- 2/3 cup coconut oil softened
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9"x13" glass baking dish.
- Peel and slice the apples into medium-sized slices, placing them in a large mixing bowl.
- Once all the apples are peeled and sliced, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla.
- Mix the spices into the apples until the slices are well coated.
- Spread the apple mixture across the bottom of the baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the oats, coconut sugar, maple syrup, oat flour, almond flour, coconut oil, and salt, and stir until it's well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly across the top of the apples.
- Place the apple crisp in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the apples are bubbling and the top is just beginning to turn brown.
- Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream or just by itself!
Nutrition
If you love this gluten and dairy-free apple crisp, please make sure to come back and leave a comment and a 5 star rating. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!
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My family and I think this is the best healthy and delicious apple crisp ever! If you try it, I think you’ll agree!