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Gluten free apple crisp recipe – Learn how to make this simple vegan dessert consisting of baked spiced apple with a grain free topping
If I told you that you could make this gluten free apple crisp in less than 30 minutes, would you believe me? Well believe it or not it’s true. Apple crisp which is known as apple crumble in the UK is very simple to make and flavourful. Plus it’s grain and dairy free topping makes it suitable for paleo,vegan and gluten free lifestyles.
For me this apple crisp recipe evokes memories of my childhood, apple desserts; be it pudding or pie they were a staple treat growing up. Although I wasn’t too fond, simply because I didn’t like the custard that my mother would generously pour over the top.
Gluten free apple crisp without oats
Many apple crisp/crumble recipes have a tendency to call for oats. Oats are great for creating a crumbly topping plus they are naturally gluten free too.
While I do enjoy a good apple crisp with an oaty topping I’ve grown fond of using ground almonds to make a good foolproof high in fat and protein topping.
This recipe for gluten free apple crisp calls for……..
- Ground almonds
- Butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- Apples (Granny smith, gala, pink lady pick your poison!)
- Coconut sugar
- cinnamon nutmeg
How to make gluten free apple crisp
Stewed apples – If you love the taste of soft juicy apples then I would definitely suggest chopping up the apples and stewing them for several minutes. I personally prefer to make my apple crisp this way because it’s soooo much more flavoursome. You do loose some of the volume of apple which is why I always add an extra 1-2 apples to compensate.
Once the apple have cooked down then toss them into a baking dish just spread them out evenly and flat so everything is level.
Gluten free crisp topping
The topping requires a pair of hands to create that crumble mix. It’s very simple to make but you need COLD butter that has been cut into small cubes in order for the crumble to uphold.
It’s merely a case of combining the cold butter with the ground almonds, coconut sugar and spices. Then using the pads of your fingers to breakdown the butter into the dry ingredients.
What to serve gluten free apple crisp with
- Ice cream
- Custard
- Simply on its own!!
Other dessert recipe you make like
Quinoa pudding
Gluten free apple crisp (steps with pictures)
Melt the butter in the sauce pan along with the coconut sugar, cinnamon and water
Cook the apples until tender this should take roughly 10 minutes then drain off any excess liquid
Toss the apples into a oven proof pyrex dish then add the coconut sugar, cold butter, nutmeg, cinnamon and ground almonds into a medium sized bowl
Combine the butter with the grounds almonds using your finger tips and create a crumbly mixture
Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples evenly then bake for 10 minutes or until golden
Tips and notes
- Any apples are suitable to use for this dessert (I used gala apples)
- Use erythritol, stevia or sucralose for a low carb sweetener option
- Sit the chopped apples in saline water as you work your way through peeling and chopping each apple
- Use an ovenproof pyrex dish – mine is 8 x 6 inches
- Make sure the butter is COLD in order to make the crumble
- Drain off any excess liquid so there isn’t a layer of liquid/apples sitting in the pie dish
Gluten free apple crisp
Ingredients
- 6 apples
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
- 1 tbsp of dairy free butter
- 3 tbsp of coconut sugar Use erythritol, stevia or sucralose for a low carb option
- 1 tbsp of water
For the topping
- 3/4 cup of ground almonds
- 1/3 cup of coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup of cold dairy free butter cubed
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp of nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180c/ 356f/gas mark 4.
- Now peel, core and chop the apples. After peeling let the apples sit in a bowl of water with a 1 tsp of Himalayan pink salt in a bowl of water. This method will prevent the apples from browning quickly.
- Once the apples have been peeled, rinse the apples and discard the salt water
- On medium heat, melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan, then stir in the coconut sugar and cinnamon and finally pour the apples into the saucepan along with the water
- Reduce the heat and gently simmer the apples for 10 minutes, stirring thoroughout so nothing sticks to the bottom.
- Once cooked down drain off any excess liquid in a colander
- Toss the apples into a heat proof pyrex or pie dish
- Prepare the topping by adding all of the listed ingredients into a medium sized bowl
- Use the pads of your finger tips to rub the cold butter in with the coconut sugar, spices and ground almonds until a crumbly texture has been achieved.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly all over the stewed apples
- Baking in the oven for about 10 minutes or until slightly golden brown
Notes
- Any apples are suitable to use for this dessert (I used gala apples)
- Use erythritol, stevia or sucralose for a low carb option
- Sit the chopped apples in saline water as you work your way through peeling and chopping each apple
- Use a ovenproof pyrex dish - mine was 8x2 inches
- Make sure the butter is COLD in order to make the crumble
- Drain off any excess liquid so there isn't a layer of liquid/apples sitting in the pie dish
Saline water. Saline that’s used in hospitals?
Saline is a combination of salt and water.
This is such a great idea for a topping! I have an unfortunate Apple allergy (in addition to being an oat-sensitive celiac) so I’m going to try this with pears. I’ve been on a quest for a great oat-free topping for fruit crisps for awhile. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
You are welcome Jen. Yes pears would definitely work for this recipe.