One taste of this delicious gluten free apple crisp and you won’t believe it is both gluten and refined sugar free. The addition of fresh thyme adds a subtle savory note to the otherwise sweet flavor profile of this gluten-free apple crisp recipe. Scroll down for tips on how to make it dairy free too!
![](https://flavorportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/apple-crisp-gluten-free-in-pan-683x1024.png)
The Best Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Oats
The warm weather is perfect for fruit crisps! These deliciously fruity treats are one of my all-time favorite desserts. Apples, berries, and all the juicy fruits you can find at your local grocery store or farmers market.
Not only do they taste great but you can easily throw together a dessert recipe quickly and on short notice which makes them perfect for gatherings this time of year!
What’s the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Pie?
An apple crisp is typically made with a combination of fresh apples, oats, sugar, butter, and spices.
An apple pie is made in a pie dish with a pastry dough crust and typically has a lattice top.
While an apple crisp can be served warm or cold, an apple pie is typically served warm.
What’s the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble?
The biggest difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble is the topping.
An apple crisp has a crumbly topping made with oats, flour, sugar, and butter. An apple crumble has a streusel topping that is made with flour, sugar, butter, and nuts.
Both desserts are equally delicious and perfect for fall.
What Are the Best Apples for an Apple Crisp?
With so many to choose from, how do you know which variety of apple to use? There are two main things to consider – the sweetness vs. tartness of the apple and the firmness.
Granny Smith apples are probably the most tart apples you’ll find at the grocery store. If you like it tart, use these.
![](https://flavorportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/apples-for-gluten-free-apple-crisp-683x1024.jpg)
Bear in mind that all apples lose some tartness along with firmness as they cook. This is why you want to choose firm apples, such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady (pictured), for this recipe. These varieties will hold up well to the heat of baking without the apple filling turning to mush.
At the other end of the scale with the sweet apples, you’ll find honeycrisp apples to be some of the sweetest, and if you like it mushier golden delicious apples are definitely on the soft apples side of the scale.
There’s no rule against using different kinds of apples in one recipe either! You may find that a mix of Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples gets you the exact level of sweetness you’re looking for.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients You Need For This Gluten Free Apple Crisp Recipe
Apples
Lemon juice
Maple syrup
Apple juice make sure it’s 100% apple juice AND sugar free
Cinnamon
Allspice
Thyme
Salt
Oats gluten-free oats
Almond Flour
Almonds
Honey raw, local
Butter
Optional
Vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream, with or without caramel drizzle
![](https://flavorportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/gluten-free-apple-crisp-ingredients.jpg)
6 large apples, cored, peeled, and sliced
1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup real maple syrup
2 tablespoons 100% apple juice (sugar free)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon salt
Crisp Topping Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup almond flour
1/3 cup almonds, sliced
1/3 cup honey, preferably local
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
To Serve: (Optional)
Vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream, caramel drizzle
![sliced apples in a glass mixing bowl topped with maple syrup and spices](https://flavorportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/gluten-free-apple-crisp-ingredients-1-683x1024.jpg)
How to Make
- Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8” x 8” baking dish and set aside.
- Place sliced apples in a large bowl and toss with fresh lemon juice. Add maple syrup, apple juice, cinnamon, allspice, thyme leaves, and salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
- Combine topping ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until oats are thoroughly coated and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
- Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Spread the topping evenly across the top in a uniform layer, as well.
- Place into pre-heated oven and bake for 30 minutes. If the top layer is nicely browned, cover dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the apple crisp is nice and bubbling. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve warm with some vanilla bean iced cream or freshly whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!
![gluten free apple crisp in a bowl topped with ice cream, sitting next to a pan of apple crisp](https://flavorportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/apple-crisp-with-ice-cream-683x1024.jpg)
How to Serve Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. Add a little pizzazz with a caramel drizzle or sprinkle of cinnamon!
How to Store Leftover Apple Crisp
Leftover apple crisp keeps in the refrigerator up to three days when kept in an airtight container.
Variations For This Apple Crisp Recipe
Can I make this apple crisp dairy free?
Yes! The only dairy item in this recipe is the unsalted butter in the All you have to do is use a vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the butter.
What if I don’t have real maple syrup?
We wanted to create a super healthy apple crisp recipe that is both gluten free and free of refined sugar. But we get it – real maple syrup is expensive and sometimes hard to find. You can substitute the maple syrup with coconut sugar or brown sugar (tightly packed!)
What if I have a nut allergy?
Any gluten-free flour like oat flour will do; we just like the texture of almond flour best for this recipe.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
- 101+ Recipes With Fresh Strawberries
- 30 Recipes With Dried Cranberries Perfect For The Holiday Season
- Recipes With Pumpkin Spice
I hope you give this gluten free apple crisp recipe a try!
If you do try this recipe, I want to know! Please leave a comment below.
![Gluten Free Apple Crisp](https://flavorportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/apple-crisp-gluten-free-in-pan.png)
Gluten Free Apple Crisp
Ingredients
- 6 large apples, cored, peeled, and sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons 100% apple juice (sugar free)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- - Topping Ingredients -
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup almonds, sliced
- 1/3 cup honey, preferably local
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8” x 8” baking dish and set aside.
- Place apples in a large non-reactive bowl and toss with fresh lemon juice. Add maple syrup, apple juice, cinnamon, allspice, thyme leaves, and salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
- Combine topping ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until oats are thoroughly coated and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
- Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Spread the topping evenly across the top in a uniform layer, as well.
- Place into pre-heated oven and bake for 30 minutes. If the top layer is nicely browned, cover dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the apple crisp is nice and bubbling. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve warm with some vanilla bean iced cream or freshly whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350