Vegan Apple Crisp is delicious on its own or topped with non-dairy ice cream or coconut whipped cream. It’s the perfect fall dessert featuring tender sweet-tart apples and a crispy brown sugar oat topping.
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I don’t make a ton of desserts, but when I do, they often include fruit.
Some of my favorites are Caramelized Figs with Balsamic Vinegar topped with vanilla vegan ice cream and Raw Key Lime Pie.
And while I have made pumpkin desserts in the past for the holidays like Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding, there’s something special about warm syrupy apples with cinnamon.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite treats was my mom’s cinnamon baked apples.
This Vegan Apple Crisp reminds me of those baked apples, and it’s incredibly easy to make.
Baked apple dessert
Vegan Apple Crisp is a delicious ending to a meal.
You may remember seeing this dessert as part of my Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget.
Crisps, sometimes called crumbles or cobblers, are much easier to make than pies.
If you are wondering about the different fruit dessert names, it can be confusing. I think of a crisp as having a crunchy oat or nut topping. And a crumble is similar, but with a streusel topping. And cobblers feature a biscuit topping. (However, I admit, I’ve been known to use the words crisp and crumble interchangeably.)
For this version, I make the topping using gluten-free oats mixed with brown sugar and coconut oil, rather than butter.
But first I use my food processor to turn half of the oats into oat flour.
How to make Vegan Apple Crisp
Since I’m not much of a baker, I tend to stick to desserts that only require stirring ingredients together with a spoon or fork.
To make the filling, simply mix the following ingredients together:
- Peeled and sliced apples
- Organic sugar
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch
- Ground cinnamon
The gluten-free apple crisp topping is just as easy:
- Oats
- Salt
- Organic brown sugar
- Coconut oil
What makes this recipe vegan is that it uses coconut oil in place of butter.
Tips for choosing apples
- The filling for this gluten-free apple crisp can be made with any of your favorite variety of apples.
- I like to use Honeycrisp, Jazz, or Ambrosia apples.
- But usually I go with whatever looks good in the store, especially if I can buy them in a bulk bag to save money.
- You can also mix and match a few types or use whatever you have in your refrigerator.
- Choose apples that feel firm and are free from blemishes.
- And check out the guide to popular apple varieties from the US Apple Association for inspiration.
How to serve Vegan Apple Crisp
Vegan Apple Crisp is delicious on its own or topped with vegan ice cream or whipped topping.
Sometimes I’m in the mood to eat this dessert just the way it is, but if I have guests over, I like to offer a few options.
I love adding a scoop of vanilla non-dairy ice cream on top and letting it melt over the warm gooey apple dessert.
And coconut whipped cream pairs well, too.
Then all you need is a cup of tea or coffee to finish off the evening.
And if you’re looking for some recipes to serve for your meal, check out these Vegan Holiday Recipes and this Vegan Thanksgiving Menu Plan.
More fresh fruit dessert recipes
If you enjoy this vegan apple crisp, try some of these other easy fruity desserts:
And while dessert isn’t typically emphasized as being a part of a Mediterranean diet, in my opinion it’s okay to enjoy some sweets every now and then in moderation, especially at family gatherings.
Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe
Leftover crisp can be covered and refrigerated for about 3 days. Reheat it in a microwave or oven or enjoy it at room temperature.
You can also make this apple dessert in advance. Bake it as stated in the recipe, then cover and reheat it when you’re ready to serve.
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!
Vegan Apple Crisp (Easy Gluten-Free Recipe)
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 2 cups apples peeled and sliced (I used Honeycrisp)
- 2 teaspoons organic sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the topping:
- 1 cup gluten-free quick oats (not instant) divided
- 1 pinch salt
- 6 Tablespoons organic brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil at room temperature
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400° F.
- Combine the filling ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside.
- Grind 1/2 cup of the oats in a food processor until it forms a coarse flour.
- In a small bowl, combine the oat flour with the remaining 1/2 cup of oats and the rest of the crumble topping ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Spoon the filling into a 24 ounce or larger baking dish.
- Spread the crumble topping over the filling.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until heated through and lightly browned on top.
Notes
- The filling for this gluten-free apple crisp can be made with any of your favorite variety of apples.
- I like to use Honeycrisp, Jazz, or Ambrosia apples.
- But usually I go with whatever looks good in the store, especially if I can buy them in a bulk bag to save money.
- You can also mix and match a few types or use whatever you have in your refrigerator.
- Choose apples that feel firm and are free from blemishes.
- And check out the guide to popular apple varieties from the US Apple Association for inspiration.
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