Well, the inevitable has happened and fall is setting in. I know technically fall doesn't begin for a few more weeks but the weather is already changing where I live and the leaves are starting to turn, which means we need all the fall flavors for every meal (I'm pretty sure that's a law). As fall desserts go, this gluten free apple crumble couldn't be any easier to make and the results are so delicious it's definitely something you'll be making again and again.
This easy gluten free apple dessert is loaded up with fresh apples, warm spices, brown sugar and topped off with the crunchiest little crumb topping. Add a scoop of ice cream and *chefs kiss*. As if that wasn't enough, it's both gluten free and vegan and no one is ever going to know! They will be begging you for this recipe.
If you're looking for more apple recipes to try this apple season, check out my easy apple crisp bars, this killer apple cider donut cake, or my family's favorite gluten free apple cake.
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What is the difference between a crisp, a crumble and a cobbler?
When it comes to fruit desserts, you might think the monikers are interchangeable. When in fact a crisp, a crumble and a cobbler are three different things.
- A crisp is a fruit filling topped with a streusel topping that includes oats. The topping is usually crispy and not super thick.
- A crumble is also fruit filling topped with a streusel topping. But the topping is thicker and does not include oats.
- A cobbler is also a fruit filling, but topped with a biscuit like topping.
Ingredient Notes
This warm apple crumble uses just a handful of simple ingredients to make a delicious baked fruit dessert that is both gluten free and vegan.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend - I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to1 flour for this recipe. You can use the gluten free flour blend you prefer. Since the flour is used only in the crumble topping, differences in gluten free flour brands should not affect the outcome here.
- Brown Sugar - Brown sugar is used in both the crumble topping and the apple filling. I've used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar would work just as well and provide a richer flavor. You could also substitute with coconut sugar if you prefer.
- Vegan Butter - I've used Country Crock Plant Butter in this recipe. Any vegan stick butter will work fine, just avoid margarine. If you're not dairy free, use regular butter in the same measure.
- Apples - You'll need about 2 pounds of apples. I recommend using at least two types of apples. I used a mixture of Golden Delicious apples and Granny Smith apples. Combining a soft sweet apple with tart apples is the perfect contrast in flavor and texture. They will cook down a good bit during baking, so you can really pile them into your baking dish, so if you use 1-2 extra apples you won't have any issues.
- Corn Starch - This helps the apple filling thicken up during baking. If you avoid corn, replace this with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch in the same measure.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Not Dairy Free - replace vegan butter with regular butter in the same measure.
- Make it Nut Free - Omit the pecans from the recipe, no other changes are needed.
- Make it Corn Free - Replace the cornstarch with an equal measure of arrowroot powder or tapioca starch.
- Mixed Fruit Crumble - If you don't have enough apples to make the filling, you can always make my apple blackberry crumble. Or swap part of the apples for pears, strawberries, cranberries, or blueberries.
- Cheddar Apple Crumble - Do you love cheese on your apple pie? Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese over the apple filling before adding the crumble top. You'll have a delightful sweet and savory flavor.
- Boozy Apple Crumble: Add a splash of your favorite liquor, such as bourbon or brandy, to the apple filling for a boozy kick.
- Make Individual Servings - Divide the filling and topping into individual ramekins. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet before putting them in the oven. Bake until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
How to make a Gluten Free Apple Crumble
You're going to love this easy recipe! The apple mixture is all mixed in one bowl and the crumb topping in a second bowl. But if you want to save yourself a dish, you can mix the filling right in your baking pan.
STEP 1: Combine the gluten free flour, ¾ cup of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and pecans in a small mixing bowl. Stir until it's well mixed.
STEP 2: Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients. Then stir until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated and it has a chunky appearance.
STEP 3: Place the bowl of crumble mixture in the refrigerator while you make the apple filling.
STEP 4: Slice apples and add them to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the brown sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract
over the apple slices. Stir well to coat the apples.
STEP 5: Spread your spiced apples into a 2-quart baking dish (use a 9x9 pan or similar size as long as it fits the apples).
STEP 6: Sprinkle the gluten free crumble topping in an even layer over the top of the apples.
Baking Tip
Bake until the apple filling is bubbling. This will help the starch to activate to thicken the filling. If the topping is getting too brown before the filling is ready, gently lay a piece of aluminum foil over the top for the remaining bake time.
Storage
You can store this apple crumble in the baking dish as long as it's covered well with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. If you go this route, refrigerate it for 2-3 days only. If you transfer it to an airtight container, it can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
This dish will also freeze well. Once it has cooled, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQs
You want to work your crumble ingredients together until they are still clumpy. It should not a smooth mixture.
Since this apple dessert doesn't need to hold up to slicing, it's okay to use some of the softer apple varieties. I would suggest using at least half Granny Smith apples for the best flavor. I have used a combination of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples in this recipe.
No, you can leave the peels on. They provide another level of texture in the finished dish.
My personal favorite is a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a still warm bowl of apple crumble. Whipped cream would also work well, as would a vanilla yogurt. Of course, apple crumble is delicious on it's own too!
I cut my apples into long slices, then divide each of those into 3 pieces. So the apple pieces are about 1 inch in size and only a little over ¼ inch thick.
A 2-quart baking dish is the equivalent of an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan. If you're using a ceramic casserole style dish, their size is normally reported as quarts. The one shown above measures 7 inches wide, 11 inches long and 3 inches deep.
More gluten free apple desserts to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Gluten Free Apple Crumble
Ingredients
For the gluten free crumble topping
- 1 Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend I use Bob's Red Mill
- ¾ Cup Light Brown Sugar
- ½ Cup Pecans roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup Vegan Butter melted
For the apple filling
- 2 ½ pounds Apples about 6 apples
- ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Prepare the gluten free crumble topping
- Combine the gluten free flour, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon and salt in a small mixing bowl. Stir well to mix.1 Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend, ¾ Cup Light Brown Sugar, ½ Cup Pecans, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and stir together to combine. The dry ingredients should be incorporated but the mixture should still be lumpy.½ Cup Vegan Butter
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator while you prepare the apple filling.
Prepare the apple filling
- Peel and slice the apples into pieces about 1 inch in size and only about ¼" thick.2 ½ pounds Apples
- Combine the apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large mixing bowl (or directly in the baking dish). Stir it together until the apples are well coated with the dry ingredients.½ Cup Light Brown Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice, 1 teaspoon Vanilla, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, ½ teaspoon Nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Spread the apples into your 2-quart baking dish. It's okay if the dish is filled to the top or even mounded up a little. The apples filling will settle after baking.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes. The filling should be bubbling and the topping should be golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
Maria says
Very Good! I've made it at least 3 times. I add frozen raspberries from the garden.
I made it with cranberries over the holidays and it was so good. Such a forgiving recipe - great for making fruit swaps. I'll have to try raspberries next! ◡̈
Laurie says
Trying to give this 5 stars. This dish blew my mind. I've made this kind of dish before, but I just dumped everything together. There 's some kind of magic in this recipe. I'm GF and lactose F, like you. So I appreciate this recipe even more. Thank you!
Haha! Thanks for the kind comment. Some kind of magic cracked me up 🙂
Emily says
I followed the recipe exactly, and it was phenomenal. Topped it with some vanilla ice cream while it was still warm. Oh myyyy.
Gali says
Can I use almond flour?
I have never tried it with almond flour. I'm not sure if it would work. Let me know if you give it a try!
Catherine E Wikstrom says
What size pan? It says 2 qt. I don't have that measurement on my pans.
A 9x9 square pan or 8x8 square would work. The most important thing is that the apple slices fit, even if they are piled up a little in the middle.
Donna Davis says
Tiffany what's the amount for real butter? TY
Use the same amount of butter called for in the recipe. Regular butter and vegan butter are interchangeable.