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Nothing embodies fall more than the smell of fresh baked apples, maple syrup and cinnamon flowing through the air. I’ve been making this Healthy Maple Apple Crisp for over 15 years now and my family can’t get enough of it! Enjoy this gluten free and vegan fall dessert with everyone you love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

You are going to love this warm and gooey Healthy Maple Apple Crisp as there isn’t a crust to fuss with. Just a crispy gluten free oat crumb topping with layers of cinnamon apples and raisins beneath it!

This is the perfect dessert to end Thanksgiving, Christmas or any holiday dinner with. It can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Simply prepare it all in a casserole dish, cover then store in the refrigerator until ready to bake prior to serving.

Ingredients

Apples- All apples are good apples in my opinion but I do have some favorites to use in this recipe! Try using Jonagold, Braeburn, Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. Apples are high in fiber, vitamin C and various antioxidants.
Raisins- Also a good source of soluble fiber, which aids in our digestion. Raisins also help regulate the balance of bacteria in our gut!
Pure Maple Syrup- I suggest using pure maple syrup as it’s less processed than regular table sugar. Every spoonful also contains nutrients like zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium.
Vegan (or dairy free) Unsalted Butter- My preferred option for this ingredient is Miyokos Vegan Butter but it does contain cashews. If nuts are a no go for you, any vegan or dairy free butter can be used instead.
Lemon Juice- Rolling a lemon before cutting into it will help break the membranes in the flesh. This allows the lemon to release its juices easier.
Pure Vanilla Extract- Pure vanilla extract is my preference. Imitation vanilla contains a chemically produced compound that mimics the flavor of vanillin.
Spices- Cinnamon and nutmeg add a warmth to the apples in this recipe.
Sea Salt- This salt is less processed than table salt and retains trace minerals.
Coconut Sugar- A sugar that comes from the sap of the coconut palm tree. It is actually lower on the glycemic index compared to white and brown sugar.
Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats- Obviously if you are gluten free, using a gluten free oat is a must! But why use “Old Fashioned Rolled Oats”? They hold their shape and texture well, making them a great choice for baked goods.
Cassava Flour- This flour is a wonderful option for gluten free baking. It doesn't have a strong taste and can be used in a wide range of recipes. Due to the high resistance starch content, it can help improve gut health and possibly aid in weight loss.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Coat a 9-inch deep dish pie plate with cooking spray and set aside.
Peel and slice apples into ¼ inch wedges, then toss into a medium size bowl.
Add to that bowl, the raisins, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Spread apple mixture evenly into the baking dish and set aside.
In another bowl toss together the gluten free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, coconut sugar, cassava flour, cinnamon and sea salt.
At this time melt the vegan butter then stir into the oatmeal mixture until evenly moistened and crumbly.
Scatter the crumb topping all over the apples, slightly pressing down with a spatula.
Bake for 45 minutes or until the apples are tender and the juices are bubbling. The crumb topping will be toasted and browned.
Allow to rest for 20-25 minutes before serving. The dessert is best served warm with dairy free ice cream or coconut whipped cream!

I love this Ceramic Pie Plate for this recipe.

Expert Tip: If you are wanting to prepare this Gluten Free Maple Apple Crisp ahead of time, it is possible up to 3 days before serving. Complete all the steps except baking. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil after adding the crumble topping. Store in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let the cold dish sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Uncover and follow baking instructions above.

Variations

Swap out the apples and use pears instead. Pears are another great in season fall fruit!

Add in some walnuts or pecans for a little added crunch.
Dried cranberries can be used instead of raisins. They will add a nice touch, especially if you go with pears instead of apples.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this Healthy Maple Apple Crisp a few different ways. The first way is with homemade coconut whipped cream. Second is, topped with dairy free vanilla ice cream. The third and final serving suggestion is with a dollop of dairy free yogurt and chopped nuts!

Healthy Maple Apple Crisp (Vegan and Gluten Free)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it really matter what type of apples I use in this recipe?

The short answer is, NO!

Any type of apple will taste incredible in this recipe. My suggestion is to use whatever apples are your favorites. I personally like to mix and match apples! I probably use a different apple combination each time this recipe is baked…

Can I use a different gluten free flour besides cassava flour?

Yes, you can use several other flours in replace of cassava flour. Try using:

Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour

Almond Flour

Arrowroot Powder

More Recipes

If you make this recipe, don't forget to TAG me on Instagram or come back and leave me a 5-star rating and a comment!

Many Hugs,

Cathleen

vegan, gluten free, apple crisp, maple, fall recipes

desserts

Yield: 6

Author: Cathleen Crobons