This easy vegan, grain-free, and gluten-free apple crisp is a long-time favorite in our kitchen. It’s wholesome, simple to prepare, and consistently delicious — the kind of recipe you’ll reach for during apple season or whenever you want a comforting, fruit-forward dessert. It comes together quickly and works well as a dessert, a cozy breakfast, or a portable snack.
The beauty of this apple crumble is how flexible it is: you can add nuts, seeds, dried fruit, jam, or fresh berries to change the flavor and texture. Almonds are used here, but any nut or seed flour works as a base for the topping. For a lighter option, you can skip the crunchy topping and stir a little apple butter or applesauce into the filling — the baked apples are wonderful on their own, especially when paired with a few chopped cashews and a scoop of non-dairy ice cream, vegan yogurt, or dairy-free whipped cream.
Simple Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
A grain-free apple crisp made with warm spices and topped with slivered almonds. This vegan apple crumble has paleo-friendly options and is naturally free of refined sugar and gluten.
- Author: Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: one 9″ pie dish
- Category: Crisps and Crumbles
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Dessert / Breakfast
Ingredients
Filling
- 6 cups finely chopped apples
- 1 tbsp non-dairy butter (or neutral-tasting coconut oil), softened or melted
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp cloves
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1½ tbsp lemon juice
- Optional: a handful of raisins or dried cranberries
Topping
- 1 cup almond flour (or any other nut flour)
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp non-dairy butter (or coconut oil), softened or melted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Optional: an additional 2 tbsp sliced almonds for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly oil a 9″ pie dish or a similarly sized baking pan and set it aside.
- Combine all filling ingredients in a mixing bowl. Toss until the apple pieces are evenly coated with spices, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Transfer the filling to the prepared pie dish and spread it into an even layer.
- In a separate bowl, mix the topping ingredients (almond flour, slivered almonds, maple syrup, non-dairy butter or coconut oil, and cinnamon) until coarse crumbs form. If you like extra crunch, reserve the sliced almonds for sprinkling on top.
- Scatter the topping evenly over the apples. Add the reserved sliced almonds as a garnish if desired.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling. Baking time may vary slightly depending on oven and pan depth, so check after 25 minutes and adjust as needed.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm with vegan vanilla ice cream, non-dairy yogurt, or dairy-free whipped cream. This crumble also chills well and makes a satisfying cold breakfast or snack.
Tips, Variations, and Storage
Choose firm apples that hold their shape while baking — mixed varieties work nicely to balance sweetness and acidity. If your apples are particularly tart, increase the maple syrup by a tablespoon or two, or add a pinch more cinnamon to enhance sweetness without refined sugar.
Substitutions: use another nut flour if almond flour isn’t on hand — hazelnut, cashew, or pecan flour work well. For a nut-free version, try a seed flour and swap slivered almonds for pumpkin or sunflower seeds. If you prefer a less sweet crumble, reduce the maple syrup in the topping by a tablespoon.
Make it ahead: assemble the crumble, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also bake it ahead and reheat portions in the oven or microwave. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze individual portions for longer keeping.
Serving ideas: this crumble is lovely with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, a dollop of non-dairy yogurt, or a spoonful of nut butter for extra richness. It’s also a great way to use ripe apples and bits of nuts or dried fruit you have on hand.
Enjoy this simple, adaptable, and naturally gluten-free apple crisp for dessert, breakfast, or anytime you need a comforting, fruit-forward treat.
