This easy gluten free apple crisp is so simple but absolutely delicious. With warming spices, sweet yet tart apples, and the perfect crisp topping, it is the perfect dessert to enjoy all year round (but especially in the fall!). All you need are a few simple ingredients and a little time to create a lovely dessert that everyone can enjoy! 

The Best Gluten Free Apple Crisp with  Oats

Fruit crisps are one of my favorite desserts to make, especially in the summer when there is so much ripe fresh fruit available.

Not only are they delicious, fruit crisps are also is incredibly easy to throw together at a moment’s notice which makes them a great quick recipe for summer gatherings.

Watch How to Make This Recipe

This delicious gluten-free apple crisp is so easy to make and has just the right touch of sweetness thanks to maple syrup and brown sugar. The warm flavors from the cinnamon and cardamom really set this crisp apart from the crowd. I know you are going to love this recipe!

What Is the Difference Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble?

While crisp and crumbles are similar, there is a key difference. Crumbles also have a streusel topping, similar to a crisp, however crisps contain oats. Crumble toppings also tend to be a bit more dense and cake-like.

More Reader Favorite Apple Recipes

apples in a bowl with cinnamon, caradamom, and cornstarch

Which Apples are Best for Apple Crisp?

The best apples to use in this apple crisp are apples that are crisp and sweet yet tart. Varieties like Granny Smith, pink lady, and honey crisp are always my go-to apples for baking.

This recipe uses a combination for tart Granny Smith and crisp, juicy pink lady apples. The combination of both varieties work incredibly well together and give the crisp such great flavor.

Ingredients You Need to Make This Recipe

Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Oats: if you have a gluten allergy be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

Almond Flour: instead of using all-purpose flour, this recipe uses almond flour to keep the crisp gluten free.

Dark Brown Sugar: this adds just the right touch of sweetness to the crisp topping. If you prefer, you can use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar if you like.

Butter: to create that classic crisp topping, this recipe uses unsalted butter. For the best results I like to use cold butter.

Cinnamon & Cardamom: these spices helps to add warmth to the crisp. If you have never tried adding cardamom to your apple crisp, you are going to love it!

Vanilla Extract: this is a must-have ingredient in any good crisp recipe.

Apples: fresh apples become even more delicious once they are combined with a little maple syrup and vanilla. As I mentioned, this recipe uses Granny Smith and pink lady apples. If you have a apple preference, feel free to use your favorite variety!

Arrowroot Starch: this helps the apple filling to thicken a bit. If you do not have arrowroot starch, you can use cornstarch in the filling instead.

Maple Syrup: for a touch of natural sweetness that works incredibly well with the apples. Feel free to use honey instead of maple syrup if you prefer.

Lemon Juice: this adds a bit of brightness to the filling and really highlights the flavor of the apples.

apple crisp topping in a bowl

How to Make

Step One: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Step Two: To a large mixing bowl add the sliced apples, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, arrowroot starch, and maple syrup. Toss until everything is well combined and the apples are well coated.

Step Three: Transfer the apples to a greased 8×8 baking dish.

Step Four: Next, make the crisp topping. Add the gluten free oats, almond flour, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and baking powder to the mixing bowl. Use a fork to mix all of the dry ingredients together until well combined.

Step Five: Next, add the cold cubed butter to the mixing bowl. Use your hands to work the butter into the dry ingredients until you have a clumpy crisp topping.

Step Six: Sprinkle the crisp evenly over the apple filling. Bake the crisp at 350 degrees for fifty-five to sixty minutes until the apple filling is bubbling. To prevent the crisp from burning or becoming too brown, cover it loosely with a sheet of foil after twenty to twenty-five minutes.

Step Seven: Once the crisp is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for ten to fifteen minutes before serving.

apple filling and apple crisp toping in a baking pan.

What Can I Substitute for Almond Flour?

If you have a nut allergy, or do not have almond flour on hand, you can replace it with oat flour or regular all-purpose flour. If you need to keep the recipe gluten free, you can use a gluten free measure-for-measure flour.

Can I Make This Dairy Free?

Yes! To keep this recipe dairy free you can swap the butter with coconut oil or use your favorite vegan butter alternative. If you use coconut oil be sure that the oil is not melted and still solid before using.

apple crisp filling with spoon

How to Serve

This crisp is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream. You can also add a little extra cinnamon and a drizzle of caramel on top if you like!

How to Store

Store this apple crisp in the fridge for up to three days. Cover it tightly with foil or wrap to keep it as fresh as possible. You can easily, and quickly, reheat the crisp in the microwave.

apple crisp with icecream in a bowl

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love

hope you give this Gluten Free Apple Crisp a try! It’s so easy to make and has the best flavor.

If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings / #allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.

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gluten free apple crisp with ice cream

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

  • Author: Ashlea Carver
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
  • Author: Ashlea Carver
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Filling:

  • 23 small/medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (roughly a little over 1 pound)
  • 23 small/medium pink lady apples, peeled and thinly sliced (roughly a little over 1 pound)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch or corn starch
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • pinch of sea salt

Crisp Topping:

  • 1 1/2 cups gluten free old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. To a large mixing bowl, add the sliced apples, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, arrowroot starch, and maple syrup. Toss until everything is well combined and apples are well coated.
  3. Transfer the apples to a greased 8×8 baking dish.
  4. Next, make the crisp topping. Add the gluten-free oats, almond flour, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and baking powder to the mixing bowl. Use a fork to mix all of the dry ingredients until well combined.
  5. Next, add the cubed butter to the mixing bowl. Use your hands to work the butter into the dry ingredients until you have a clumpy crisp topping.
  6. Sprinkle the crisp evenly over the apple filling. Bake the crisp at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes until the apple filling is bubbling. To prevent the crisp from burning or becoming too brown, cover it loosely with a sheet of foil after 20-25 minutes.
  7. Once the crisp is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
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Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by Casey Colodny / THE MINDFUL HAPA

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8 Comments

  1. Rachel Shutty says:

    My boyfriend and I went crazy for this recipe! Perfect with some vanilla ice cream. Perfect for fall. I used some erythritol sugar replacement, and some date sugar in place of the sugar, and I might reduce the sweetener in general next time.






    1. Natalie Perkins (ATHT) says:

      I’m so glad you both loved this one, Rachel! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

  2. So delicious!!! I made it for Thanksgiving dessert and absolutely loved it! So quick and easy to make. Will definitely be making this again!






  3. Amazingly delicious!! It was the perfect dessert on a cold, rainy fall day and I wanted to eat the whole pan! I will definitely be making this again!






  4. Wow! This recipe is dynamite. The cardamom seems like such an obvious component, but this is the first time ever using it! The simplicity of this recipe not only makes it easy to make, but also allows each flavor to pull its own weight and deliver something truly delicious. YUM!






  5. Absolutely delicious – the cardamom is a wonderful twist. Brought this to friends who were hosting us for dinner and they’re already asking us to make it again! Thanks Ashlea for a great recipe!






  6. Shari Larson says:

    Really good gluten free recipe for apple crisp 😊






  7. Casey Colodny says:

    I am already thinking of enjoying a big bowl of this apple crisp on a cool september night -the most delicious fall dessert! I love the cardamom addition – perfectly combo of sweet and spice!