Description
This Easy Vintage Gluten-Free Apple Crisp is a delightful, comforting dessert featuring tender, juicy Golden Delicious apples baked under a crunchy, oat-based gluten-free topping. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this classic dish is quick to prepare and ideal for cozy gatherings or a sweet treat throughout the year.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¾ pounds (about 5 large) Golden Delicious apples (peeled and cut into ½" cubes)
- 1 Golden Delicious apple (peeled and grated)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Oat Topping
- ¾ + ⅓ cup gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats (divided)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour (Cup4Cup recommended)
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened and cut in 8 pieces)
- ⅓ cup (optional) chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- (optional) caramel ice cream topping (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Grease an 11x7-inch or 2-quart baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Apple Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, water, vanilla extract, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Add the peeled and cubed Golden Delicious apples along with the grated Golden Delicious apple. Stir to coat the apples with the mixture evenly.
- Assemble and Bake Filling: Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour the melted butter over the top evenly. Cover tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow the apples to soften.
- Prepare Oat Topping: While the apples bake, place ¾ cup of oats, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, vanilla extract, water, and salt into a food processor. Pulse about 5 times until ingredients are combined.
- Add Butter and Nuts: Add the softened butter pieces and half of the optional chopped nuts to the food processor. Process until the mixture forms a large, crumbly ball, occasionally scraping down the sides if needed.
- Finish Topping: Add the remaining nuts and ⅓ cup oats to the processor. Pulse 2-3 times more to combine gently, preserving some texture.
- Top and Bake Apple Crisp: Break off clumps of the oat topping and scatter them evenly over the partially baked apple filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 350ºF and bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping turns golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the crisp from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 30 to 60 minutes so the filling can thicken. Serve slightly warm, optionally topped with caramel ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- You can make the oat topping by hand by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl, then rubbing the butter into the mixture with your fingers until clumpy and crumbly.
- Use Golden Delicious apples for their sweetness and soft texture, but any tart, firm apple varieties can also work well.
- Serves 8, perfect for family or gatherings.
- For a vegan alternative, substitute butter with a plant-based vegan butter and ensure your brown sugar and vanilla extract are vegan-friendly.
- Letting the crisp cool before serving helps the filling to set and results in a better texture.
