Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this gluten free apple crisp recipe:

• Apples. You'll need 6 cups of peeled, sliced apples. I used about 6 Granny Smith apples, but this will depend on the size of your apples.
• Granulated sugar. Adds sweetness to the filling and topping.
• Brown sugar. Adds sweetness as well as a deep and rich molasses note to the homemade apple crisp.
• Cornstarch. Helps to thicken the filling.
• Cinnamon. Feel free to swap it out for apple pie spice.
• Butter. Although I like salted butter, you can also use unsalted. You can also use vegan butter sticks to make this apple crisp gluten-free and dairy-free.
• Gluten-free flour. Use a "measure for measure" flour blend that includes xanthan gum. I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
• Gluten-free oats. Although oats themselves don't contain gluten, many are processed in the same factory as wheat, so check to make sure you are using certified gluten-free oats. You can use rolled oats (a.k.a. old fashioned oats) or quick oats.
• Salt. To balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors of the ingredients.

What Apples are Best for Baking?

When baking with apples, whether you're making apple pie, apple cake, or apple cinnamon muffins, you want to choose apples that can hold their shape as they bake and won't get mushy. I also prefer apples on the tart side.

My go-to apples for baking are Granny Smith and Jona Gold apples. Sometimes I'll also add sweeter apples like Honeycrisp and Pink Lady to add a depth of flavor.

How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

Step 1: Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Make the apple filling. Peel and slice the apples, about ¼ to ½ inch thick, and add them to a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and ground cinnamon, and toss until all the slices are coated. Set aside.

Step 3: Make the crisp topping. In a separate bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, gluten-free oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients, and you are left with a crumbly mixture. You can also do this step by pulsing the ingredients in a food processor.

Step 4: Assemble. Add the apple slices to a baking dish and pour any juices in the dish as well. Top the apples with the streusel topping.

Step 5: Bake. Bake the apple crisp for 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden and bubbly on the edges. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Storage Instructions

Storing: Put any leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezing: Put leftover apple crisp in an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to a month. Be sure it's fully cooled before freezing it. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying it.

Can this be made ahead of time?

You can prepare parts of this gluten-free apple crisp recipe separately ahead of time, and assemble and bake it on the day you're serving it.

Make the crisp topping and put it in a freezer bag to store it in your freezer or fridge. You can slice the apples and toss them in some lemon juice to keep them from turning brown and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. Add the sugars, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a bowl and keep it on the counter.

Add the apples to the bowl of sugars, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Toss the apples, add them to a baking dish, and top with the prepared crisp topping. Bake it in your preheated oven, and voila!