Delicious Apple Crisp Recipe: Perfect for Winter Nights!
Are you craving a warm and cozy dessert that can be served both gluten-free and traditionally? Look no further than this mouth-watering apple crisp recipe. This simple and classic dessert is perfect for those chilly autumn nights, or anytime you’re in the mood for something sweet and comforting.
What sets this recipe apart is its versatility – whether you are avoiding gluten, dairy, or just looking for a fresh twist on an old favorite, this recipe can accommodate all. Not to mention, it’s loaded with fiber and nutrients from the apples and rolled oats, making it a guilt-free indulgence!
But don’t let its health benefits fool you – the flavor still packs a punch. With warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg adding an extra kick, your taste buds will be begging for more.
So preheat your oven to 350 degrees, grab some good quality apples (we recommend pink lady or granny smith), and let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you craving a warm, cozy dessert that’s also guilt-free and gluten-free? Look no further than this delicious apple crisp recipe! Here’s why you’ll love it:
Firstly, it’s quick and easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a mouth-watering dessert ready to serve in no time.
But what really sets this recipe apart is its amazing taste. The combination of sweet and tart apple slices, crunchy crumble topping, and warm cinnamon spice will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. Plus, the use of almond meal and pecans in the topping adds a nutty dimension that perfectly complements the sweetness of the apples.
And let’s not forget about the health benefits. This apple crisp is gluten-free, dairy-free, and can easily be made vegan-friendly. It’s an all-natural dessert that won’t leave you feeling bloated or heavy, making it the perfect treat for those who want to indulge without compromising their healthy lifestyle.
But don’t just take my word for it. Try this recipe for yourself and see why it’s quickly become one of my favorites. Whether as a standalone dessert or paired with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, this apple crisp is sure to become a go-to recipe for any occasion.
Ingredient List
To make this gluten-free or not apple crisp, you will need the following ingredients:
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 pounds of Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- ⅓ cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- A pinch of salt
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- ¾ cup of almond meal (or substitute with more oats if unavailable)
- ½ cup of chopped pecans
- ½ cup (1 stick) of butter, melted (or substitute with dairy-free butter for a vegan and dairy-free option)
- ¼ cup of brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup of granulated sugar
- A pinch of salt
Note: To make the recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free rolled oats and a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular rolled oats and all-purpose flour. You can also substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan buttery sticks for a dairy-free and vegan option.
The Recipe How-To
Preheat the Oven
Before starting, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This will give you enough time to prepare the apple crisp mixture while the oven heats up.
Spread Apples on a Baking Dish
Peel and cut two pounds of apples into bite-sized pieces. Use a mixture of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor, such as pink lady and granny smith apples. Spread the apple pieces on a baking dish.
Make the Crisp Topping
In a large bowl, toss together 1 cup of gluten-free rolled oats, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of almond meal, 1/2 cup of firm butter, and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Use your fingers or pastry cutter to mix until the topping is crumbly.
Spread Crumb Topping Over Apples
Spread the crumble topping over the sliced apples evenly.
Bake until Apples are Tender and Topping is Browned
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until apples are tender when pierced with a fork and topping is golden brown.
Serve warm with some dairy-free ice cream or whipped coconut cream on top for a comforting treat.
Enjoy this gluten-free almond flour apple crisp recipe with your family and friends!
Substitutions and Variations
Let’s say you want to change up your Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Recipe. You can always swap out different kinds of apples so that you can add a new twist to the classic recipe. Pink Lady Apples are perfect for apple desserts recipes as they hold up well in the oven and retain their sweetness. If you want something more tangy, Granny Smith apples will do the trick.
You can also substitute almonds or other nuts for the pecans in the crisp topping. Substitute almond flour for almond meal for a softer texture. You may alter the oats with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend if you like.
For dairy-free vegans, make sure to use vegan butter instead of regular butter and serve it with non-dairy ice cream such as coconut or almond.
Are you looking for some healthier options? Try substituting a quarter cup of coconut sugar instead of the granulated sugar, which is lower on the glycemic index. Alternatively, using honey, maple syrup or agave nectar instead of brown sugar are great options as they work just as well as substitutes while adding a little bit of richness in flavor.
If you really enjoy cinnamon and nutmeg flavors, add more spice to suit your taste buds. A teaspoon of cinnamon and half teaspoon of nutmeg should suffice but feel free to adjust as desired.
This means that this apple crisp recipe caters to many dietary requirements without compromising on flavor!
Serving and Pairing
After baking, let the gluten-free apple crisp cool down for a few minutes. For an added touch of sweetness, try drizzling caramel sauce or honey on top of the warm apple crisp. I must say, it pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, especially on a hot summer day.
Alternatively, you can serve this dessert with whipped cream as well. The light and fluffy texture complements the crunchy crisp topping and soft baked apples so well.
Not in the mood for something cold? Heat the apple crisp back up in the oven for five minutes before serving with custard, and you’ve got yourself a warm and comforting autumnal dessert. The great thing about this recipe is that it is very versatile when it comes to serving options.
If you’re entertaining guests or bringing this gluten-free apple dessert to a potluck, consider pairing it with other fruit desserts such as peach cobbler or blueberry crumble. This will provide your guests with an array of choices and textures, from creamy to crunchy.
If you would like to add more fiber or protein to your dish, consider sprinkling some chopped pecans on top or using almond flour instead of regular flour in your crumble topping. Additionally, if you want to make this recipe dairy-free vegan-friendly, serve it up with dairy-free whipped cream and vanilla ice cream made from coconut milk.
Enjoy experimenting with different combinations until you find your perfect pairing!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once you’ve made this delicious gluten-free apple crisp recipe, you might be wondering how best to store it and save for later. Luckily, apple crisp is a great candidate for making ahead of time, as well as storing and reheating.
To make ahead of time, simply follow the recipe instructions and then store the apple crisp in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze it for up to three months.
When reheating your apple crisp, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the dish in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you could use the microwave at medium heat for 2-3 minutes, but keep in mind that this could affect the texture of the crisp topping.
One thing to keep in mind is that while the crisp topping might not be as crunchy after it’s been stored and reheated, the flavors will still be absolutely delicious. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a scoop of ice cream on top before serving for a delicious and decadent dessert.
Overall, the ability to make-ahead, store, and reheat this gluten-free apple crisp recipe makes it perfect for meal prepping or taking to potlucks or parties. So give it a try and see how easy it is to have a scrumptious and healthy dessert on hand whenever you need it!
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you have all the ingredients for your gluten-free apple crisp recipe, it’s time to share some tips to ensure your dish turns out perfect. Here are some tips that will make sure you get the best result from your recipe.
Firstly, using cold butter is really essential to have a crispy topping. It is recommended to use unsalted butter as its taste doesn’t overpower other ingredients. Cut the butter into small cubes and chill them before you start making the topping.
Secondly, the most important ingredient in an apple crisp recipe is, of course, apples. But what kind of apple works best? Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples are fantastic options because they hold their shape well and aren’t too sweet. They balance out the sweetness of the topping with a little bit of tartness.
Thirdly, when you’re making your crumble topping, it’s important to make sure it’s not too dry. If it’s too dry, it won’t stick together and won’t give that crunch when baked in contrast with tender apples. Make sure to pack down your brown sugar firmly and add enough oats or almond meal so that everything sticks together nicely.
Fourthly, don’t overload your baking dish with too many apples because you want them all to cook evenly without any undercooked areas. Give them enough space in the dish so they’ll cook evenly and so the topping will spread evenly as well.
Finally, serve this dessert hot out of the oven topped with ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful finish! You can also experiment with different fruit combinations like pear and blueberries or raspberry and blackberry for a fun twist on classic apple crisp recipes.
By following these simple tips, you can create a delicious gluten-free apple crisp recipe that will become your go-to dessert.
FAQ
Now that you have all the information to make a delicious and healthy apple crisp, it’s time to tackle some of the frequently asked questions so you can enjoy your dessert with no worries. Below are some common questions that might come up while preparing this dish. Don’t worry; I have got you covered!
What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?
A crumble and a crisp are similar desserts, with the main difference being the absence of oats in the streusel topping of a crumble. While a crisp features oats in the topping, a crumble typically has a simple combination of butter, flour, and sugar, often with nuts, resulting in a clumpier texture.
What is the difference between apple pie and apple crisp?
When it comes to apple-based desserts, the crust or crumble makes all the difference. A classic apple pie boasts a delicious buttery and flaky crust, which encloses the apple filling. In contrast, apple crisps feature a crispy and crumbly topping without a bottom crust.
Why do you put lemon juice over the apples when making an apple crisp?
When you add lemon juice to your apple slices, the oxidation process that turns them brown is prevented as the juice creates a protective layer between the apple’s flesh and the air.
Does it matter what apples you use in apple crisp?
When it comes to selecting apples for your crisp, it’s best to opt for a tart and firm variety that can withstand the heat of baking. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are excellent choices. Alternatively, you can blend both types if you have them available. Golden Delicious is another option that can make for a fantastic crisp.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this gluten-free apple crisp recipe is a delicious and healthy dessert that you don’t want to miss out on. With its easy-to-find ingredients and simple instructions, it’s a perfect dessert for any occasion that will leave everyone wanting more.
It’s important to note that even though this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, it doesn’t sacrifice taste or texture. The blend of spices, sugar, rolled oats, and pecans in the topping gives it a satisfying crunch with every bite. Plus, adding a scoop of dairy-free ice cream or whipped cream on top never hurts!
The substitutions and variations section allows you to customize the recipe based on your dietary needs or personal preferences without compromising taste. Whether you use pink lady apples or granny smith apples, almond flour or rice flour, this recipe will still turn out amazing.
So go ahead and give this gluten-free apple crisp recipe a try. I guarantee that it will become your go-to dessert for any occasion. Enjoy!
Gluten Free or Not Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (32 ounce) can apple pie filling
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 cup gluten-free flour (gluten free blend for gluten free)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13 casserole with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a heavy skillet combine the oats and pecans. Cook over medium heat until oats have a toasty smell, stirring frequently.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the melted butter, toasted oats, flour blend, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pour the melted butter over and toss to combine.
- Pour the apple pie filling into prepared casserole and sprinkle topping over. Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned and filling is bubbly.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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