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The best Dairy-Free Apple Crisp delivers all the flavors and warmth of apple pie with a fraction of the effort. This vegan and gluten-free recipe is perfect for apple season.
Inspired by cranberry apple crisp, this vegan gluten-free apple crisp recipe lets apples shine in all their glory! Soft cinnamony apples are perfectly contrasted by the crisp topping, which is packed with fall flavors.
Serve this up with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream or coconut whipped cream, and you are set! It is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next holiday gathering.
Here are a few more reasons to love this apple crisp:
- Not only is it vegan and gluten-free, it is also nut-free and soy-free!
- It only requires about 10 minutes of hands-on time.
- You can make it ahead and freeze it.
If you're looking to make more apple desserts, you have to try apple cider donuts and 3 ingredient apple muffins! They are baked to perfection and ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
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Ingredients
To make dairy-free apple crisp, you will need these simple ingredients:
Apple Filling
- Apples are the star of this dish, and it is so important to choose the best type of apple. Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples are ideal for baking. They hold their shape while also delivering a delicious flavor.
- Lemon Juice brightens the flavor of the apple crisp.
- Brown Sugar sweetens the filling, balancing the tartness of the green apple.
- Cornstarch thickens the filling, so it is perfectly set when you slice into it. Tapioca starch also works!
- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Sea Salt enhance the flavor and give a warm feel to the filling to complement the fruit.
Crisp Topping
- Oats are the bulk of the crisp topping and provide a lovely contrast to the soft apples. Old-fashioned rolled oats work best. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend gives the topping some structure. If you are not gluten-free, regular all-purpose flour also works. Almond flour or almond meal can also be substituted.
- Brown Sugar sweetens the crisp and gives a golden brown color to the topping.
- Plant-Based Butter is melted and combined with the dry ingredients to hold the topping together. Melting the butter ensures an even distribution throughout the crisp. You could also use melted coconut oil.
- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Sea Salt add extra flavor to the crisp.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Directions with Pictures
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best apple crisp.
How to Cut Apples for Apple Crisp
Sliced apples give this crisp a similar feel to an apple pie. If you have a thin apple slicer that can cut 16 slices, it would be perfect for this recipe. It is also very easy to do by hand. Here's how to do it:
- Wash apples and peel them, if desired.
- Use an apple corer to remove the core and discard.
- Quarter the apple for easier handling.
- Thinly slice the apples to about ⅛" or ¼".
- Continue until all the apples are chopped.
Cranberry apple crisp uses cubed apples to make the apple and cranberry filling about the same size. Cubing would also work in this recipe. It is up to your preference which way to cut the apples.
Make the Filling
- Place all the apple filling ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix for about 3 minutes until thoroughly combined, allowing the juices from the apples to combine with the brown sugar to coat the entire filling.
- Place the filling in an 8.5” x 11" baking dish.
- Spread the filling out into an even layer using a spoon.
Make the Topping
- Place all the crisp topping ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Dollop on top of the apples. Keep the topping crumbly instead of smoothing it out as an even layer. This gives it more surface area to crisp.
- Bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes until the fruit bubbles and the top looks lightly golden.
Let the crisp cool for about 30 minutes before serving so all the juices are set fully. The crisp will continue to set over time.
Ways to Serve
Take this delicious apple crisp to the next level and make it the most decadent dessert!
- Vegan Ice Cream - Creamy vegan vanilla ice cream is a classic accompaniment to a warm fruit crisp. The So Delicious “Wonder Milk” is my current favorite.
- Vegan Whipped Cream - Top your crisp with a generous dollop of coconut whipped cream. The blend of its light, airy texture with the crispy fruit base is truly delightful.
- Coconut or Cashew Yogurt - Serve the crisp over vegan yogurt. Its natural creaminess and slight tanginess pair great with the sweet apples!
- Caramel Sauce - Drizzle some warm caramel sauce over the apple crisp for a rich and sweet touch. It adds a decadent element to the dessert.
- Toasted Nuts - Sprinkle with a handful of toasted nuts, such as sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or walnuts. They contribute a satisfying crunch and earthy flavor.
- Powdered Sugar - A sprinkle of powdered sugar can add a touch of sweetness and a visually appealing finish to your dessert.
Storage
Allow your apple crisp to fully cool before storing it. Cover the dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Or place individual servings of the crisp into an airtight container.
Store the covered dish or airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days (if it lasts that long!)
If you want to store it longer, freeze the crisp in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months.
Can you make apple crisp ahead of time and reheat it?
Yes! Making your crisp ahead of time is a great way to relieve stress from chopping and prepping on the day you want to eat this dessert.
To reheat the crisp, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the foil or plastic wrap and bake the crisp for about 15-20 minutes or until it is heated and the topping is crispy again. If reheating from frozen, allow the crisp to thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.
FAQ
The main difference between a crisp and a crumble is the inclusion of oats. A crumble topping is similar to a streusel and uses flour, sugar, and butter. A crisp includes oats or nuts, making the topping even crispier.
You can use coconut oil or another neutral-flavored oil in place of vegan butter for the crumble.
This recipe was tested using Country Crock Plant Butter. Miyoko's also has great dairy-free butter. Brands like Earth Balance and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter have vegan butter, but I find their flavor to be a bit off.
These apple varieties are great for this crisp: Honeycrisp, Jazz, Pazazz, Braeburn, Jonagold, Pacific Rose, Pink Lady, Fuji, Pinata, and Granny Smith. They hold their shape through the baking process while still providing a great flavor.
Avoid soft, mealy, or creamy-flesh apples: Red Delicious, Gala, and McIntosh. Save these to eat fresh!
More Vegan Fall Desserts
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📖 Recipe
Dairy-Free Apple Crisp (Vegan Gluten-Free Recipe)
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- about 3 large apples or 4 medium apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Crisp Topping
- 1 ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour or almond flour
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons brown sugar loosely packed
- ¾ cup plant-based butter 1 ½ sticks, melted
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon ginger
Instructions
Slice the Apples
- Wash apples and peel, if desired.
- Use an apple corer to remove the core and discard.
- Quarter the apple for easier handling.
- Thinly slice the apples to about ⅛" or ¼".
Make the Filling
- Place all the apple filling ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix for about 3 minutes until thoroughly combined, allowing the juices from the apples to combine with the brown sugar to coat the entire filling.
- Place the filling in an 8.5” x 11" baking dish.
- Spread the filling out into an even layer using a spoon.
Make the Topping
- Place all the crisp topping ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Dollop on top of the apples. Keep the topping crumbly instead of smoothing it out as an even layer. This gives it more surface area to crisp.
- Bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes until the fruit bubbles and the top looks lightly golden.
- Let the crisp cool for about 30 minutes before serving so all the juices are set fully. The crisp will continue to set over time.
Notes
- Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples are ideal for this recipe. They hold their shape while also delivering a delicious flavor.
- If desired, you can peel the apples first, but I like to keep them in.
- If cubing the apples, measure them to about 5 cups.
- It is difficult to measure sliced apples but you just want enough for the filling to fill your baking dish, about 3 large apples, 4 medium.
- Let the crisp cool for about 30 minutes before serving.
- This allows all the juices to set fully. The crisp will continue to set over time.
- Serve with vegan ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt. Enjoy!
- Allow your crisp to fully cool before storing it.
- Store the covered dish or airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- You can also freeze the crisp in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months.
- To reheat the apple crisp, bake at 350°F for about 15 to 20 minutes or until it is heated and the topping is crispy again.
- If reheating from frozen, allow the crisp to thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.
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