This gluten free apple crisp is warmly spiced, cozy and so flavorful! The apples are gooey and tender, while the oat crumb topping is crunchy and crumbly. This classic fall dessert is always a big hit! Serve for holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving or crisp autumn days.

Gluten free apple crisp.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This gluten free apple crisp tastes like the classic dessert! It does not taste gluten free.
  • The apples become gooey and soft.
  • The topping is crumbly and golden crispy.
  • Great served for holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Both kids and adults love this recipe.
  • It can be easily transported.
  • This recipe is made with pantry staple ingredients.
  • It is the best autumn dessert!
  • This recipe is gluten free and nut free.
  • Check out this Healthy Apple Crisp for another sweet treat!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for gluten free apple crisp. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use a combination of apples. For best flavor, use Granny Smith, honey crisp and MacIntosh apples. Peel and cube into no larger than 1 inch pieces.

Granulated sugar helps sweeten the apple filling. If needed, substitute brown sugar or coconut sugar. Apples will be darker in that case.

Cinnamon adds a great flavor to both layers! Apples and cinnamon are such a delicious combination.

Lemon juice helps prevents the apples from browning in the oven.

For the topping, brown sugar adds sweetness. For a refined sugar free option, use maple sugar or coconut sugar.

Use gluten free old fashioned rolled oats. They are much softer than instant or quick oats. Look for certified gluten free oats.

Additionally, gluten free flour adds some substance to the topping. Beth Blends and King Arthur Flour make great gluten free 1 to 1 flour. I have not tested this recipe with another gluten free flour.

For the topping, use cold cubed butter. Use your hands to incorporate the cold butter into the topping mixture. The warmth from your hands will help create a crumbly mixture.

Again, a little cinnamon adds a great flavor to the topping.

Cubed apples and other ingredients.

Taste & Texture

This gluten free apple crisp is sweet, warm and delicious! The main flavors are apples and cinnamon. The topping is sweet and buttery.

Once baked, the apples are gooey and tender. The topping adds the perfect amount of crunch.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter an 8 inch square pan or spray with nonstick spray.

Step 2

In a large bowl, add cubed apples, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Toss until apples are fully coated.

Step 3

Spread apples down into buttered pan.

Cubed fruit in pan.

Step 4

Then, make topping. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.

Butter and dry ingredients in bowl.

Step 5

Using your fingers, break up the cold butter and incorporate into the other ingredients. Mixture should be crumbly.

Crumbly oat topping in bowl.

Step 6

Spread topping over the apple layer.

Crumbly topping in pan.

Step 7

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until bubbly and apples are fork tender.

Golden oat topping.

Step 8

Finally, remove from oven. Serve!

Expert Tips & Tricks

For best results, use a variety of apples. This creates a more interesting flavor and texture.

Granny Smith are more tart and more firm. Honey crisp are naturally sweet and maintain their shape. MacIntosh apples become soft and tender.

Slice apples into 1 inch cubes.

Use gluten free old fashioned rolled oats. I recommend not using instant oats or quick oats.

When mixing the topping, use your hands. This helps the butter become softer. If necessary, a pastry cutter or fork can be used.

Sprinkle the topping on top of apples. Do not press down.

Bake gluten free apple crisp until topping is golden. Additionally, apples should be fork tender.

Baked gluten free apple crisp with spoon.

How to Serve & Store

Serve gluten free apple crisp warm from the oven! It can be eaten warm or chilled.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

This apple crisp is yummy with peanut butter on top!

Serve leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freeze for up to 1 month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are honey crisp apples gluten free?

Yes, all apples are naturally gluten free.

What can you substitute cinnamon for in apple crisp?

If needed, pumpkin pie spice and nutmeg can be a good substitute for cinnamon. A little bit goes a long way. Use sparingly.

Which apples should I use?

Use Granny Smith, honey crisp and MacIntosh apples for apple crisp.

Do I need to peel them?

Technically no. I prefer peeled apples for this recipe.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes! Freeze for up to 1 month.

Are oats gluten free?

Oats are naturally gluten free, but typically processed next to wheat. For that reason, buy certified gluten free oats.

Gluten free apple crisp in bowl.

You May Also Like

If you make this gluten free apple crisp recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more sweet treats, check out these Dessert Recipes.

Gluten free apple crisp.

Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Apple Crisp

This gluten free apple crisp is warm, cozy and perfectly spiced! It combines the best fall flavors and irresistible textures. The apples are gooey, soft and tender. The oat topping is crumbly and crunchy!
5 from 15 votes

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • 5 cups peeled chopped apples
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Topping

Instructions 

  • First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter an 8 inch square pan or spray with nonstick spray.
  • In a large bowl, add cubed apples, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Toss until apples are fully coated.
  • Spread apples down into buttered pan.
  • Then, make topping. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
  • Using your fingers, break up the cold butter and incorporate into the other ingredients. Mixture should be crumbly.
  • Spread topping over the apple layer.
  • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until bubbly and apples are fork tender.
  • Finally, remove from oven. Serve!

Notes

  • I recommend using a variety of apples.  Honey crisp, Granny Smith and MacIntosh work well for apple crisp.
  • Use gluten free old fashioned rolled oats, not quick or instant oats.
  • Use your hands to mix crumble topping.  The heat from your hands will help soften the butter.  Mixture will not be uniform; it is crumbly.
  • Bake until topping is golden and apples are fork tender.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Calories: 337kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 11mg, Potassium: 167mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 36g, Vitamin A: 394IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

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