Erin’s Recipe Rundown
This summer we visited my husband’s childhood best friend and his family, and they made us the most amazing gluten-free fruit crisp. I loved it so much that I asked for the recipe, and they were kind enough to share it.
I used the quick-oat topping from that recipe for apple crisp, and it turned out even better than I imagined! It’s my new favorite apple crisp!
Why you’ll love it: No one will ever guess this apple crisp is gluten-free. It makes a big 9×13 pan, so it’s perfect for feeding a crowd. I love it for the holidays and Thanksgiving too!
Top tip: Use Granny Smith apples for a bold, tart flavor, or Honeycrisp for more sweetness (add a little extra flour if using Honeycrisp). Slice apples evenly for more consistent baking, and rest afterward so the filling sets.
You might also like these other apple desserts: baked apples, gluten-free apple crumble, gluten-free apple cake, and gluten-free apple muffins.
xoxo erin
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make this gluten-free apple crisp. Jump to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Apples: Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Softer apples can get a little mushy, but these hold up in the oven and have the perfect sweet-tart flavor.
- Gluten-free flour: Use a high-quality measure-for-measure gluten-free blend like King Arthur brand to thicken the filling and give the topping some structure. Honeycrisp apples are juicier, so you’ll need to add 1-2 tablespoons extra flour to prevent sogginess.
- Oats: Use quick oats to keep the topping nice and crisp—rolled oats are more chewy. Be sure to use gluten-free oats to keep the dessert gluten-free. For more info, check out Are oats gluten-free?
- Butter: Use cold, cubed butter for a golden, crumbly topping. If it’s too soft, the topping can get dense. Keep it chilled until you’re ready to mix!
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
Here’s an overview of how to make gluten-free apple crisp. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
Make the apple filling: Toss apples with sugar, gluten-free flour, and other filling ingredients. Make sure the apples are evenly coated to help thicken the juices while baking.
Make the crisp topping: Mix topping ingredients in a bowl. Add cold, cubed butter and use your hands (or a fork or pastry blender) until you have coarse crumbs. You should still see little butter pieces—that’s what gives the topping its golden, crisp texture.
Assemble and bake: Spread the apple filling evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the topping over the apples and bake until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
Cool and serve: Let the crisp rest for about 10 minutes, so the juices thicken slightly. This makes it easier to serve and enhances the texture. Your patience will pay off! Scoop warm and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Gluten-Free Apple Crisp (Easy Oat Topping!)
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 3 ½ pounds about 8-9 Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch slices
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free measure-for-measure flour use an extra 1-2 tablespoons of flour for Honeycrisp apples
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crisp Topping
- 1½ cups (120g) gluten-free quick oats
- ¾ cup (113g) gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
- 1½ cups (320g) brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup (170g) butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- For the apple filling: Add all the ingredients for the apple filling to a large bowl. Mix to evenly combine.
- For the crisp topping: In a medium bowl, add the oats, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix to combine. Add the butter, then use a pastry blender, fork or your hands to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. (I usually use my hands and smoosh the butter pieces while mixing it with the other ingredients.)
- Pour the apple filling into the prepared baking dish. Top with the crisp topping. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired. Enjoy!
I made this apple crisp for the holidays and it was a hit! Delicious! Served warm with vanilla ice cream. This will be on our menu again!
Hi Melissa, that’s great to hear! Happy holidays and thanks for the review!