Ultimate Gluten-Free Apple Crisp: Your Allergen-Friendly Fall Dessert with a Secret Crispy Topping!

Forget plain apple crisps; this recipe elevates a classic into an unforgettable dessert with rich flavors from pure maple syrup, warm nutmeg, and aromatic allspice. Plus, I’ll share a game-changing trick to achieve an unbelievably crisp, gluten-free topping every single time! This recipe is perfect for autumn gatherings or anytime you have an abundance of apples. It’s also incredibly versatile, easily made dairy-free, and is already free of wheat, gluten, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame, making it exceptionally allergy-friendly.

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Why This Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Will Be Your New Favorite

Many apple crisp recipes often fall short, relying solely on a simple blend of butter, apples, sugar, and cinnamon. While pleasant, this approach often results in a one-note flavor profile. Our recipe, however, is designed to deliver an explosion of taste that stands head and shoulders above the rest! The thoughtful addition of nutmeg, allspice, and pure maple syrup infuses the apples with a deeply spiced, aromatic warmth that truly sets this crisp apart.

Beyond the enhanced spice blend, we opt for brown sugar in the apple filling instead of plain granulated sugar. Brown sugar not only lends a richer, more inviting color to the baked apples but also imparts a molasses-like depth that complements the fruit beautifully. This subtle change creates a more complex and satisfying base for the crisp.

To ensure every bite is bursting with flavor, we don’t stop at seasoning just the apples. Both the tender apple base and the crunchy topping are generously spiced, guaranteeing that there’s absolutely nothing bland about this dessert. Furthermore, we believe a truly great apple crisp should have a perfect balance of fruit and crumble. Our recipe boasts an ample, hearty topping that beautifully covers the spiced apples, as you can clearly see from the photos. If you appreciate a generous crisp-to-apple ratio, you’re in for a treat!

Now, let’s talk about the secret to that perfectly crisp topping: melted butter. While many traditional crumble recipes instruct you to cut cold butter into the dry ingredients, aiming for pea-sized pieces, I’ve found this method less effective, especially when working with gluten-free flours. Traditional methods can often leave the gluten-free topping powdery and unevenly mixed, even after baking. By melting the butter before incorporating it, we ensure a uniform coating of the dry ingredients, resulting in a consistently golden-brown and delightfully crisp topping. This technique is a game-changer for achieving that ideal texture, transforming your crumble from merely good to absolutely irresistible!

If you’re a fan of classic apple pie flavors but dread the hassle of making a pie crust, this apple crisp is your ideal solution. It delivers all the comforting, spiced apple goodness without any of the fuss. In fact, many prefer making crisp due to its simplicity and the sheer deliciousness of a perfectly baked crumble. When forced to choose between a flaky crust and a buttery, spiced crumble, the crumble often wins, hands down, for its comforting texture and ease of preparation.

Choosing the Best Gluten-Free Flour and Oats for Your Crisp

Creating a truly magnificent gluten-free apple crisp hinges on selecting the right ingredients, particularly when it comes to flour and oats. These are the two primary components in this recipe that require careful attention to ensure they are indeed gluten-free.

For the gluten-free flour, I consistently reach for Walmart’s Great Value All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour due to its excellent performance and economical price point. This blend provides reliable results, making it a staple in my gluten-free kitchen. When choosing an alternative brand, it’s crucial to understand that not all gluten-free flour blends are created equal. They vary significantly in the types of grains and starches used (e.g., rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch) and their respective ratios, which can influence the final texture and consistency of your crisp topping. I’ve found that blends primarily composed of rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch tend to work best for recipes like this. Additionally, always check the ingredient list to ensure your chosen blend includes xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is a vital ingredient in gluten-free baking, acting as a binder and providing elasticity that gluten-free flours often lack, contributing to a better crumb and overall structure.

The other ingredient that requires attention for those with Celiac disease, a wheat allergy, or gluten intolerance is oats. While oats themselves are naturally gluten-free, the concern arises from their processing and manufacturing. Traditional oat farming and processing facilities often handle gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye, leading to a high risk of cross-contamination. To guarantee your crisp is truly safe, it is imperative to use oats that are explicitly certified gluten-free. This certification assures that the oats have been processed in dedicated facilities to prevent any contact with gluten. I personally trust and recommend Bob’s Red Mill certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats for their quality and reliability.

Selecting the Perfect Apples for Your Crisp

When it comes to choosing apples for your crisp, many recipes offer strict recommendations. However, I believe the best apples are the ones you either have on hand or genuinely love! Your personal preference should always guide your choice, whether you lean towards tartness to balance the sweetness or prefer a sweeter apple to enhance the dessert’s richness. You’ll need four medium-sized, firm apples for this recipe, regardless of their variety.

That being said, a blend of apple varieties can create a more complex flavor profile and interesting texture. For instance, combining a tart Granny Smith with a sweeter, firmer Honeycrisp or Fuji can offer a delightful contrast. Gala or Golden Delicious are also excellent choices for their sweetness and ability to hold their shape during baking. Experimentation is encouraged!

Regarding peeling, while I opted not to peel the apples for the photographs to highlight their beautiful red skins, I personally prefer to peel them for the crisp. Most recipes don’t require peeling, but I find that removing the skin significantly improves the mouthfeel, creating a smoother, more uniformly tender apple filling. It’s an extra step, but one I find entirely worthwhile for the enhanced texture. Ultimately, whether you peel them or not is a matter of personal preference and how much time you’re willing to invest.

Regardless of whether you peel them, you’ll definitely need to core the apples and cut them into bite-sized pieces. The size of your apple pieces directly impacts their cooking time; smaller pieces will soften more quickly and integrate seamlessly into the crisp, while larger chunks will retain more texture.

Effortlessly Make This Apple Crisp Dairy-Free and Allergy-Friendly

One of the many fantastic aspects of this apple crisp recipe is its inherent allergy-friendliness. It’s already naturally free of 8 out of the top 9 common allergens, including wheat, gluten, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. The only top allergen it typically contains is dairy, specifically from butter (milk).

However, making this crisp entirely dairy-free is remarkably simple! All you need to do is swap out the unsalted butter for a high-quality dairy-free butter alternative. I highly recommend using either Country Crock Plant Butter with Olive Oil or Earth Balance Buttery Sticks. Earth Balance also offers a soy-free version for those managing soy allergies. By making this single substitution, your apple crisp instantly becomes a top-9-allergen-free dessert, making it an incredibly inclusive and safe option for almost any dietary need or allergy concern.

If your dietary needs extend to being corn-free, you can easily adapt this recipe further. Simply substitute the cornstarch in the apple filling with an equal amount of tapioca starch. Tapioca starch works as an excellent thickening agent and is a fantastic corn-free alternative, ensuring the apple filling remains perfectly luscious without any compromise.

Understanding Pure Maple Syrup: The Golden Nectar

The quality of your maple syrup makes a significant difference in this recipe, transforming a simple sweetening agent into a rich, complex flavor enhancer. It is absolutely crucial to use pure maple syrup, not to be confused with pancake syrup or imitation maple-flavored syrups. Pure maple syrup is a natural product derived directly from maple trees, typically containing only one ingredient: maple syrup.

Pure maple syrup is classified into various grades (Golden Delicate Taste, Amber Rich Taste, Dark Robust Taste, and Very Dark Strong Taste), which reflect its color and flavor intensity. While it is more expensive than its artificial counterparts, the investment is well worth it for the unparalleled depth of flavor it brings. Any grade of pure maple syrup will work beautifully in this recipe; just ensure you are using the real deal.

The pure maple syrup in this crisp doesn’t just add sweetness; it melds with the natural juices released by the apples during baking, creating an incredibly luscious, caramel-like sauce. This golden nectar coats the tender apples, infusing them with a deep, earthy sweetness and a hint of butterscotch. The resulting sauce is so delectable, it’s practically “lickable,” elevating the entire dessert experience to a gourmet level.

Delicious Toppings to Elevate Your Apple Crisp

While the spiced crumble topping we create for this apple crisp is incredibly satisfying on its own, adding a few extra garnishes can elevate your dessert experience even further. These optional additions can introduce new textures and flavor dimensions, making each bite even more delightful.

For those without tree nut allergies, a sprinkle of sliced almonds or chopped pecans over the crumble before baking adds an extra layer of crunch and a nutty aroma that beautifully complements the apples and spices. The nuts toast lightly in the oven, deepening their flavor and enhancing the crisp’s textural complexity.

No apple crisp is complete without a dollop of something cool and creamy! A generous scoop of vanilla ice cream is a classic choice. As it melts into the warm, spiced apples and crunchy topping, it creates an irresistible blend of temperatures and textures. Alternatively, a cloud of freshly whipped cream offers a lighter, airy contrast to the rich dessert. For the ultimate indulgence, consider a drizzle of caramel sauce. If you need a dairy-free option, my easy 2-ingredient dairy-free caramel sauce is a perfect, rich, and gooey addition that will take your crisp over the top.

Essential Ingredients for This Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

To create this irresistible gluten-free apple crisp, you’ll need a combination of fresh produce, pantry staples, and key gluten-free components. Here’s a detailed list:

• BASE:
  • Firm Apples: Core and dice them into bite-sized pieces. Firmer varieties hold their shape better during baking.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-rich sweetness and a beautiful caramelization.
  • Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential apple spice, providing warmth and classic flavor.
  • Cornstarch: A crucial thickening agent to create a luscious, saucy apple filling.
  • Table Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness.
  • Ground Allspice: Contributes complex notes reminiscent of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, adding aromatic depth.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Offers a warm, slightly sweet, and pungent aroma that pairs wonderfully with apples.
  • Pure Maple Syrup: Essential for that unique, rich, caramel-like sweetness and depth of flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall sweetness and aromatic profile.
• TOPPING:
  • Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: The base for our crispy, golden crumble (ensure it contains xanthan gum).
  • Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color in the topping.
  • Gluten-Free Certified Oats: Adds chewy texture and heartiness to the crumble; “certified” is key for allergen safety.
  • Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the crumble.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Ties the topping flavors to the apple base, adding warmth.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Further complements the spiced apple filling.
  • Unsalted Butter (or Dairy-Free Alternative), Melted: The secret ingredient for an exceptionally crisp and well-combined topping.
  • Optional Garnishes: Sliced almonds or chopped pecans (if no tree nut allergy), vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or dairy-free caramel sauce for serving.

Essential Tools for Your Apple Crisp Creation

Having the right tools on hand will make the preparation of this gluten-free apple crisp smooth and enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Large and Medium Sized Mixing Bowls: For preparing the apple filling and the crumble topping separately.
• Spatula: Ideal for stirring and scraping bowls.
• Mixing Spoon: For combining ingredients thoroughly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key for successful baking.
• Knife and Cutting Board: For coring and dicing your apples safely and efficiently.
• Glass Pie Plate or Square 8×8 or 9×9 Pan: The vessel for baking your crisp. A glass dish allows you to see the beautiful bubbling apples.
• Non-Stick Spray: To ensure your crisp doesn’t stick to the baking dish.
• Hot Pads: For safely handling the hot baking dish from the oven.

Is There a Video Guide for Making This Crisp?

Absolutely! To ensure you achieve the best possible results, we’ve created a comprehensive video guide. By reviewing all the frequently asked questions above and watching this video, you’ll feel like a pro before you even begin baking. The video should auto-populate for your convenience, but if it doesn’t, you can easily find it embedded within the recipe card at the bottom of this page. For direct access, feel free to watch it on my YouTube channel, where you’ll find plenty of other allergy-friendly recipes and tips.

Discover More Gluten-Free Fall Favorites

If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting flavors and warm spices of this apple crisp, you’re in for a treat! My site is a treasure trove of gluten-free recipes, especially those celebrating the magic of autumn. You’ll definitely want to explore my gluten-free French apple tart, which offers an elegant twist on a classic dessert. Don’t miss the irresistible gluten-free pumpkin scones for a perfect breakfast or snack, or the addictive dairy-free soft caramel popcorn for a sweet and salty indulgence. My pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are always a hit, and for a wholesome treat, try my cinnamon applesauce muffins. Every single recipe on my website is gluten-free, so feel free to dive into all 300+ options available in my comprehensive recipe index. Happy baking!

Easy Gluten Free Apple Crisp + VIDEO

Yield:
6

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

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.

Ingredients

BASE:

• 4 firm apples cored and diced
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

TOPPING:

• 1/3 cup gluten free all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Optional: Sliced almonds or chopped pecans for topping (if no tree nut allergies)
• Optional garnishes: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or dairy free caramel sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a glass pie plate, or 8×8 or 9×9 square baking dish, set aside.
2. Core and dice your apples into bite sized pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. To the bowl, add your brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, allspice, nutmeg, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir to combine. Set aside.
4. In a medium sized mixing bowl add your gluten free flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and whisk to combine, making sure there are no clumps.
5. Add in your melted butter and stir until everything is combined.
6. Pour your apple mixture into your greased pie plate.
7. Sprinkle the crisp evenly over the top.
8. Place in your preheated oven and cook 40 minutes. (If your topping starts to brown too much, loosely place some aluminum foil over it to prevent it from browning further.)
9. Take out and serve warm with your favorite topping.
10. Store cooled leftovers in the fridge, covered. Will keep for 3 days.

Notes

Be sure to watch the video and read the FAQ above the recipe card for best results.

*Our allergies, while severe and that get re-tested frequently, are such that we can go strictly by what’s on the label. I do not call companies to see what things are derived from, or call manufacturers to see about potential cross contact. If your allergies require you to do so, please do your own homework. I cannot assure you of any ingredient’s safety, only you can do that. I simply share what works for our family

**If you are going to feed this to someone with food allergies, and you yourself do not have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend having them check every single brand and ingredient you are using, to ensure they’re OK with each part of the recipe. And, to make sure you’ve talked to them about how to avoid cross contamination in your kitchen.

Inspired by: Serious Eats and Sally’s Baking Addiction

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 483Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 248mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 7gSugar: 46gProtein: 7g

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.