Welcome to your new favorite dessert! This easy vegan and gluten-free apple crisp is a heartwarming treat that truly encapsulates comfort. Imagine tender, perfectly spiced apples beneath a golden, crunchy oat topping – all crafted with plant-based, wholesome ingredients. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a celebration of simple, delicious flavors that can be enjoyed any time of the year, from cozy fall evenings to refreshing summer gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegan Apple Crisp

This recipe isn’t just another dessert; it’s a testament to how incredible plant-based and gluten-free baking can be. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your recipe rotation and why it stands out as a healthy, yet indulgent, option:

• Effortlessly Delicious: Despite its gourmet taste, this crisp is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it ideal for both novice and experienced bakers. Minimal effort yields maximum flavor and satisfaction.
• Vegan & Dairy-Free: Crafted entirely without animal products, it’s perfect for those with dairy allergies, following a vegan lifestyle, or simply looking for lighter dessert options. No butter or cream is needed to achieve a rich, comforting texture.
• Gluten-Free Goodness: Using certified gluten-free rolled oats ensures everyone can enjoy this classic dessert without compromise. It’s a safe and delicious choice for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Wholesome Ingredients: Packed with fresh, fiber-rich apples, natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup, and healthy fats from creamy cashew butter, it’s a dessert you can truly feel good about serving and eating.
• Versatile & Seasonal: While apple crisp is a quintessential autumn dessert, this recipe is so delightful it can be a delightful treat year-round. It’s easily customizable with seasonal fruits or various spice blends.
• Customizable to Your Taste: Easily adapt the sweetness level, adjust the amount of cinnamon, or even experiment with different types of apples to suit your personal preference. Make it your own!
• Quick & Convenient: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can have this comforting dessert ready for the oven in no time, perfect for spontaneous baking or busy weeknights.

Essential Ingredients for Your Wholesome Apple Crisp

Creating this irresistible vegan and gluten-free apple crisp requires a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. We’ve carefully selected each component to ensure a perfect balance of flavor and texture, divided into the luscious apple filling and the irresistible crispy topping.

For the Sweet & Spiced Apple Filling:

• Red Apples (2 ½ cups, peeled and chopped): The heart of our crisp! We highly recommend using firm, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady. These apples hold their shape well during baking and offer a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity. Uniformly chopping your apples ensures even cooking and tender results.
• Maple Syrup (¾ cup): Our primary natural sweetener. Pure maple syrup not only imparts a rich, deep sweetness but also adds a subtle caramel note that beautifully complements the apples. It’s a healthier alternative to refined sugars.
• Cashew Butter (½ cup): This is the secret ingredient that gives our filling an unbelievably rich, buttery, and nutty texture without any dairy. It acts as a natural binder, adds healthy fats, and contributes to the crisp’s decadent mouthfeel. Opt for a smooth, unsweetened variety.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A touch of pure vanilla extract is crucial for enhancing all the other flavors. It adds a warm, aromatic complexity that elevates the entire dessert.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 ½ teaspoons): The quintessential spice for apple desserts. Cinnamon brings a comforting, sweet-spicy aroma and flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples, evoking cozy feelings.
• Sea Salt (¼ teaspoon): Just a pinch of fine sea salt is essential. It doesn’t make the crisp salty but rather balances the sweetness and enhances the overall depth of flavor, making each bite more vibrant.

For the Crispy Gluten-Free Topping:

• Gluten-Free Rolled Oats (2 cups): The star of the crisp topping! Rolled oats provide that signature chewy, crunchy texture that defines a perfect crisp. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if dietary restrictions are a concern to avoid cross-contamination.
• Cashew Butter (½ cup): Used again in the topping, cashew butter helps bind the oats, maple syrup, and salt together, creating a perfectly clumpy, golden-brown crust. It ensures a rich, satisfying, and wonderfully crisp topping.
• Maple Syrup (½ cup): Adds a delightful sweetness and contributes to the topping’s irresistible caramelized crunch as it bakes. It helps achieve that perfect golden-brown finish.
• Sea Salt or Regular Salt (½ teaspoon): A small amount of salt in the topping is key to balancing its sweetness and enhancing the nutty flavors from the oats and cashew butter, making the topping incredibly addictive.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Vegan Apple Crisp

Creating this delightful vegan and gluten-free apple crisp is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps for a truly memorable dessert experience, ready to impress your family and friends:

1. Prepare the Apple Filling Base: Begin by preheating your oven to 350º F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the ¾ cup maple syrup, ½ cup cashew butter, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth, homogenous, and thoroughly combined. This forms the incredibly flavorful and aromatic base for your apples.
2. Coat the Apples: Add your 2 ½ cups of peeled and chopped red apples to the prepared cashew butter mixture. Gently stir and toss the apples until every single piece is beautifully coated in the sweet and spiced sauce. This ensures each bite of your baked crisp will be bursting with flavor.
3. Transfer to Baking Dish: Carefully pour the coated apple mixture evenly into a medium-sized baking dish. An 8×8 inch square dish or a similar round baking dish (approximately 9 inches in diameter) works perfectly. Spread the apples out to form a relatively single, even layer at the bottom.
4. Prepare the Crispy Topping: In a separate large bowl, stir together all the topping ingredients: 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats, ½ cup cashew butter, ½ cup maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon sea salt (or regular salt). Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and resemble a coarse, crumbly mixture. The cashew butter should help create small clumps.
5. Spread the Topping: Evenly spread the prepared oat topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish. We highly recommend using your clean hands to achieve a uniform layer, allowing you to break up any larger clumps and distribute the topping precisely for maximum crispiness. Alternatively, a large spoon or spatula can be used.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is beautifully golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. You can test the apples for tenderness by carefully piercing one with a fork.
7. Serve Warm & Enjoy: Allow the crisp to cool slightly for 10-15 minutes before serving. This short resting period allows the filling to set a bit, preventing it from being too runny. It’s utterly delicious on its own, or elevated to new heights with a dollop of your favorite vegan ice cream or a generous swirl of plant-based whipped cream.

Chef’s Expert Tips for the Best Vegan Apple Crisp

Elevate your apple crisp game with these expert tips and insights, ensuring every batch you make is nothing short of perfection:

• Choosing Your Apple Varieties: While Honeycrisp apples are a fantastic choice due to their ideal balance of sweetness, tartness, and firm texture, don’t hesitate to experiment! Other excellent red apple varieties like Fuji, Gala, or even a mix of sweet and tart apples (e.g., Honeycrisp with a Granny Smith) can offer a more complex flavor profile. If you opt for green apples exclusively, be aware that your crisp might be a bit more tart, which is a delicious preference for many.
• The Uniqueness of Cashew Butter: We can’t stress this enough – cashew butter is a game-changer in this recipe. While it might be a bit pricier than other nut butters, its incredibly creamy texture, mild, naturally sweet flavor, and lack of strong nuttiness (like peanut butter) create an unparalleled buttery richness that makes this crisp truly decadent. If you must substitute, a high-quality vegan butter stick (melted) or even refined coconut oil (melted) can work, but the nuanced depth of cashew butter is hard to replicate.
• Perfecting the Topping Texture: For an even crispier and more uniformly crumbly topping, consider using a food processor. Simply add all the topping ingredients and pulse a few times until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms. Be cautious not to over-process; you still want visible oat flakes, not a fine powder. This method is particularly useful for achieving consistent texture quickly.
• Enhancing Your Spice Blend: While cinnamon is wonderful on its own, you can take your crisp’s flavor to the next level by adding a pinch of other warming spices. A dash of nutmeg, a hint of ground ginger, or a touch of allspice or cardamom can add a richer, more complex aromatic dimension, especially appealing during the colder months.
• Consider Leaving Some Peel On: The recipe calls for peeled apples, but for an added boost of fiber and a more rustic, homey charm, you can leave some of the peel on your apples. Just ensure they are thoroughly washed before chopping. The peel also adds a bit of color and texture.
• The Importance of Resting: After taking your glorious apple crisp out of the oven, resist the urge to immediately dig in. Allowing it to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving is crucial. This short cooling period allows the hot apple filling to set slightly, preventing it from being overly runny and ensuring cleaner, more satisfying scoops.

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

This vegan apple crisp is undeniably delicious on its own, fresh from the oven, but here are some delightful ideas to elevate your dessert experience and create a truly memorable treat for any occasion:

• The Classic A La Mode: A generous scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla bean ice cream, melting deliciously into the warm, spiced crisp, is an absolute dream combination. The contrast of hot and cold, creamy and crunchy, is simply divine.
• Whipped Perfection: A light and airy dollop of plant-based whipped cream (such as coconut cream-based or almond-based) adds a beautiful creamy texture and a delightful counterpoint to the sweetness of the apples. For those who aren’t strictly vegan, our Keto Whipped Cream is a fantastic, low-carb option that pairs wonderfully.
• Homemade Caramel Drizzle: Take your crisp to an indulgent new level with a luscious homemade vegan caramel sauce drizzled generously over the top. The rich, buttery notes of caramel are a perfect match for apples.
• Nutty Crunch: For an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor, sprinkle a few toasted pecans, walnuts, or even slivered almonds over your individual serving. The warmth from the crisp will slightly toast them further.
• Fresh Berry Burst: A handful of fresh raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries adds a tart counterpoint to the sweet apples and a vibrant pop of color, making the dessert feel even fresher.
• A Delightful Breakfast Treat: Yes, you read that right! A smaller portion of this wholesome apple crisp, perhaps served alongside a dollop of vegan yogurt or a sprinkle of extra nuts, can be a surprisingly delightful and satisfying way to start your day.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

While this vegan apple crisp is undeniably best enjoyed warm and fresh from the oven, any leftover portions can be easily stored and reheated for later enjoyment, making it a great make-ahead dessert:

• Storage: Allow the crisp to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Once cool, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can then store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. If reheating a larger portion or the entire crisp, place it in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until it is heated through and the topping has regained some of its crispiness. Be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the apples. If reheating from frozen, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.

Explore More Delicious Vegan Desserts

If you loved the wholesome goodness of this vegan apple crisp, be sure to explore more of our delightful plant-based sweet treats. We believe that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor!

• Irresistible Vegan Cookie Dough: A safe-to-eat, no-bake treat that’s perfect for satisfying those raw cookie dough cravings.
• Simple 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: An incredibly easy and quick recipe for classic peanut butter cookies, naturally gluten-free and vegan.
• Decadent Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes: Rich, moist, and topped with a creamy frosting, these cupcakes are a plant-based dream.
• Classic Vegan Pumpkin Pie: A holiday staple reinvented to be entirely plant-based, offering all the traditional flavors without dairy or eggs.

Recipe Card: Easy Vegan Apple Crisp

Vegan Apple Crisp

This warm, sweet, and comforting apple crisp is an absolute delight, featuring a perfectly spiced, tender apple filling crowned with a satisfyingly crispy, golden gluten-free oat topping.

Author: Jenny Hurley

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

Filling

• ¾ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup cashew butter
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 ½ cups red apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

Topping

• 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• ½ cup cashew butter
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon sea salt or regular salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix together the ¾ cup maple syrup, ½ cup cashew butter, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon until smooth and well combined. Add the chopped apples to this mixture and stir gently until all apple pieces are thoroughly coated.
2. Pour the apple mixture evenly into a medium-sized baking dish (e.g., 8×8 inch).
3. In a separate large bowl, stir together all the topping ingredients: 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats, ½ cup cashew butter, ½ cup maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon sea salt. Mix until a coarse, crumbly topping forms.
4. Evenly spread the prepared topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish. Using your hands can help to ensure an even distribution. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling.
5. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving warm, either plain or with your choice of vegan ice cream or plant-based whipped cream.

Notes

• Apples: While Honeycrisp apples were used for this recipe, any favorite red apple variety will work beautifully. For a tarter crisp, consider using green apples, but be mindful of their acidity. A mix of sweet and tart apples offers a complex flavor.
• Cashew Butter: We strongly recommend cashew butter for its unique creamy texture and rich flavor that significantly contributes to the crisp’s decadence. If unavailable, melted vegan butter or regular butter can be substituted, though the flavor profile may differ slightly.
• Mixing Topping: For a quick and uniform topping, the ingredients can be pulsed a few times in a food processor until just combined, rather than hand-mixing. Be careful not to over-process.
• Serving Suggestions: Enhance your dessert with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, a dollop of plant-based whipped cream, or a drizzle of homemade vegan caramel sauce. For non-vegan guests, our Keto Whipped Cream is a delicious pairing.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

The nutritional values provided are general guidelines and are based on the ingredients listed for one serving. Actual macros may vary depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

• Calories: 564 kcal
• Protein: 11g
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Total Carbs: 83g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 46g
• Net Carbs: 78g
• Vitamin C: 2mg
• Sodium: 305mg
• Potassium: 537mg
• Calcium: 114mg
• Iron: 3mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Jenny Hurley