Warm cinnamon, bubbling apples, and a buttery sweet golden oat topping. This homemade gluten-free apple crisp has all of your favorite flavors, and it fills your kitchen with delicious aromas while it bakes. It’s cozy, classic, and just crisp enough on top to contrast with the soft, juicy apples underneath. Whether you serve it with a scoop of ice cream or just as is, it’s a simple dessert that tastes like home. Dairy-free and oat-free options!
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❤️ Why this gluten-free apple crisp is so good
I am so excited for the fall apple season. This is when baked apple recipes taste even better! Apple season typically begins in mid-to-late August and lasts through early November. Apple season is when apples are at their peak freshness, and you will taste that in every bite of this homemade gluten-free crisp recipe with apples.
Another family favorite is my popular Gluten-Free French Apple Cake recipe. Check out all of my best gluten-free apple recipes!
Ingredients Notes and Easy Swaps:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe using King Arthur’s Measure for Measure. Note: You do not need to use a blend with xanthan gum in this gluten free apple crisp recipe.
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats – It is crucial to use gluten-free oats grown under the purity protocol if you have Celiac disease. Cross-contamination runs high in regular oats. Use rolled oats, not quick oats.
- Brown Sugar – Use light or dark brown sugar. If you are wondering if brown sugar is gluten-free it almost always is, and you can read more about this.
- Sugar – Regular cane sugar is best.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter. I have not tested swapping coconut oil. If you are dairy-free, use vegan butter.
- Apples – It’s up to you to choose the variety of apples you use. I recommend using tart apples for this gluten-free apple crisp recipe. My favorites for adding tart flavor are Granny Smith apples, Gravenstein, and Pink Lady.
- Make it dairy-free by using a plant-based butter.
- Make it oat-free by using this gluten-free crumb topping. This crumb option makes a yummy gluten-free crisp topping without oats.
While you are drooling over this apple crisp recipe, you should also try my easy Gluten-Free Apple Pie recipe!
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips: If you’re short on time, consider buying pre-sliced apples at the grocery store or using canned apple pie filling.
Why This Gluten-Free Crisp Topping Works
- Tart apples balance the sweetness, which prevents the crisp from tasting flat.
- Oats + gluten-free flour create that signature crunchy texture. Rolled oats are better than quick oats because they hold up better during baking. Quick oats tend to get soggy.
- Cold unsalted butter creates those irresistible buttery clusters, just like a bakery-style crisp topping.
Note From The Kitchen: Gluten-free crisps are wonderfully forgiving, and they are perfect for bakers at any level. I recommend using tart apples so the dessert doesn’t end up overly sweet. If your apples seem extra juicy or dry, it’s okay to slightly reduce or increase the flour in the topping to keep it from getting soggy or dry. Always adjust based on how your fruit behaves.
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crisp (Step-By-Step)
Step 1: Slice your apples into thin wedges or bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
Sandi’s Tip: Thinner slices cook more evenly and soften faster, which helps avoid crunchy apple centers!
Step 2: Add the sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. If you want a slightly creamier filling, stir in 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Toss well.
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Step 3: Transfer the apples to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. I use gluten-free baking spray (note: PAM Baking Spray contains gluten).
Step 4: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. I use a whisk to blend them thoroughly.
Step 5: Use a pastry blender (or two forks) to cut the cold butter into the topping until it is crumbly and evenly mixed.
Sandi’s Tip: Cold butter is key! Soft or melted butter won’t give you that crispy texture.
Step 6: Your butter will resemble crumbs in the oat mixture. Those butter crumbs make this gluten-free crisp topping with oats, with a slight crisp texture.
Step 6: Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apple layer. Don’t pack it down. One of my favorite parts about this recipe is that I don’t skimp on the crisp topping…it makes a huge difference in flavor!
Step 7: Bake at 350ºF for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apple filling is bubbling.
Let cool slightly before serving. It pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream or dairy-free whipped topping.
Delicious Flavor Variations to try:
- Use a combination of fruit, such as peaches or blueberries. Blueberries are my favorite mix-in with the apples.
- Add in dried fruit like raisins or cranberries.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Feel free to add a drizzle of caramel sauce! We love using Trader Joe’s, but other companies also make gluten-free caramel.
- Try my Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp for a fun new flavor combination!
Storage Tips:
Store this apple crisp in an airtight container. This apple crisp will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Wrap the top of the casserole dish tightly with foil, or move the apple crisp into an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The best apples for my gluten-free apple crisp recipe are tart apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady.
Yes, for best results, substitute the oats with this gluten-free crumb topping instead.
Oats are typically grown next to wheat fields, and they are often stored and processed in the same processing facilities. Gluten-free oats are grown under a purity protocol that removes the risk of cross-contamination with wheat. You can read more about gluten-free oats at Gluten-Free Watchdog, which tests the different brands of oats to ensure they are Celiac-safe.
If you love fall baking, give my delicious creamy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cobbler or this Gluten-Free Apple Cobbler a try.
More Gluten-Free Apple Recipes:
Love This Recipe?
💬 Did you make this gluten-free apple crisp recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out—and which pan or flour blend you used! Your feedback helps others (and helps me keep improving these recipes for you). ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Best Gluten-Free Apple Crisp (with Oat & Dairy-Free Options)
Equipment
Ingredients
Crips Topping
- ¾ cup gluten free flour blend * see note
- 1 cup gluten free rolled oats * see note
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon (1 tsp in the crisp topping and 1/2 tsp in the apples.)
- dash of salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter *see note
Apple Mixture
- 6 cups chopped apples peeled or unpeeled
- 3 tablespoons cane sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350º F.
- In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup gluten free flour blend, 1 cup gluten free rolled oats, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and dash of salt. Whisk to blend.
- Take your 1/2 cup unsalted butter and use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the oat mixture.
- Wash and slice the apples thinly. Peeling the apples is optional.
- Spray the baking dish with cooking spray. Add 6 cups chopped apples to a bowl and toss with 3 tablespoons cane sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Optional, if you like the filling a little creamier, melt 2 TBSP of butter and toss it with the apples.
- Add the chopped apples to the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crisp topping over the apples. Spread it out so it evenly coats the apples. There is a lot of crisp topping so you get that delicious flavor in every bite!
- Bake the gluten-free apple crisp for 45 minutes until the apples are tender and bubbling.
- Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Tart apples such as Granny Smith, Gravenstein, or Pink Lady are best for making apple crisp.
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1. Most blends will work in this recipe.
- It is critical to use gluten-free oats if you are Celiac. Cross-contamination runs high in regular oats. Use whole rolled oats, not quick oats.
- Use vegan butter for dairy-free!
- Make it oat-free using this crumble recipe: https://www.fearlessdining.com/gluten-free-apple-crumble-bars/
- This gluten-free apple crisp will keep fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raisins or dried cranberries
- Walnuts or pecans
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
Note this post was updated from an older August 2021 post with more detailed directions.
Hello Sandi. What do you think of incorporating vanilla bean paste? If yes, in the topping or filling and how much do you think? Kind regards.
Hi, It sounds delicious. I haven’t tried it. My gut reaction is to add it to the topping because it would pair well with the oats to augment the flavor. I would say 1/2 to 1 teaspoon depending on how much vanilla flavor you want. Please do come back to let us know how it turns out.
Thank you Sandi. I was leaning more in that direction. When I try it, I will definitely let you know how it went. Have a Blessed & Happy Thanksgiving.
You too! Thank you.
Hello Sandi,
I wanted to get back to you regarding the vanilla bean paste. After some research, I settled on using the paste in the filling. I used 1Tbsp, and it turned out fabulous.
Thank you for your input.
That is great news that the vanilla paste worked well. I really appreciate your coming back to let me know!
I substituted coconut sugar for the sugars and added dried cranberries. Delish!
I love using coconut sugar in this recipe…I am so glad you enjoyed it, Nan!
Delicious! I used a sugar substitute for my diabetic partner and it turned out great!!
Hi Randi, I am so glad you both loved this apple crisp recipe. Can I ask which sugar substitute you used?
I tried this recipe for Thanksgiving this year and it was indeed the best apple crisp recipe! I added the melted butter to apple mixture as suggested and also drizzled caramel bits on top of the apple mixture before topping with oats. Gave it a terrific caramel flavor and coloring. Thanks for all your amazing recipes!
I am so glad everyone loved the recipe, Ann. Thank you!
It was a hit at our Thanksgiving. So easy to make following your directions.
I am so glad everyone loved it. I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving!
There is a picture of salt as one of the ingredients and it is included in the directions (step 4) but it is not included in the list of ingredients with the amount required.
Thank you Jill, it is just a small dash of salt. There really wasn’t a measure (1/8 tsp is too much so I just did a quick dash.)