In this easy gluten-free apple crumble recipe, soft, tender apple chunks are topped with a deliciously crunchy crumble topping! It’s the perfect dessert to celebrate fall, and enjoy during Thanksgiving dinner or holiday meals. Totally dairy-free and vegan too, but no one would care!
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- It’s Apple Season!
- Apple Crumble to Enjoy This Fall
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipes Notes + Substitutions:
- How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crumble (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Apple Desserts and Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes to Indulge In:
- Other Fall Recipes to Enjoy
- Gluten-Free Apple Crumble (Dairy-Free, Vegan)
It’s Apple Season!
Fall means so many things – from the beautiful auburn leaves that fall on the ground, to cooler, crisper days, and to pumpkin everything.
Another big thing we cannot miss about fall is apple season, and I’m way excited about that! Fresh apples are literally everywhere this time of year, so let’s take advantage of that!
Apple pie, apple crisp, apple cider… anything with apples goes during the fall!
Apple Crumble to Enjoy This Fall
A baked fruit dessert is always a good idea, and a fruit crumble is easily one of my favorite desserts.
So we’re making a gluten-free vegan apple crumble today.
I mean, what’s not to love about warm bubbly fruit finished off with a crunchy crumble topping? Plus, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to it and I’m in bliss.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this gluten-free apple crumble recipe are easily found at the local grocery stores. (In fact, you might already have most of them at home!)
- Easy to Make: Preparing this delicious apple crumble is uncomplicated, and even if this is your first time baking a crumble, you’ll be surprised at just how simple this dessert recipe is.
- Perfect Texture and Taste: With a juicy apple filling and a crunchy crumble topping, the contrast in texture in this grain-free apple crumble is just perfect! The acidity of the tart apples combined with the sweetness of cinnamon and sugar is amazing – your taste buds will thank you!
- Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: The best part is that this recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances (or those simply on a gluten-free diet) can enjoy it without worries.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this gluten-free apple crumble recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipes Notes + Substitutions:
- Apples: I prefer using Granny Smith apples, but any other types of tart green apples will work (such as Ginger Gold, Pippin, Crispin, or Antonovka apples). If you don’t care for tart apples, feel free to use red apples too (such as honeycrisp, red delicious, gala, pink lady, etc).
- Cinnamon: Using ground cinnamon adds to the fall flavor of the apple crumble. Alternatively, you may also use pumpkin pie spice instead.
- Sugar: I used white sugar, but feel free to use cane sugar, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- Almond Flour: I like using blanched almond flour, but almond meal will work just as well (here’s how you can make your own homemade almond meal).
- Tapioca Starch: To keep this recipe grain-free, I’ve used tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour). If you don’t have tapioca starch, you may use arrowroot starch too. Alternatively, you can also use a good-quality gluten-free flour blend.
- Coconut Oil: I like using refined coconut oil for my baking because it has a less pronounced coconut taste (as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil which has a stronger coconut flavor and smell). You may also use chilled vegan butter instead. Alternatively, if you are not dairy-intolerant, you can go ahead and use normal melted butter or ghee instead.
- Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract to the crumble topping, but if you don’t have it on hand, or simply prefer not to use it, go ahead and leave it out instead.
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crumble (Step by Step):
1. Preheat and Grease
Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and grease 4 medium ramekins with coconut oil. Arrange the oven rack to the middle position.
2. Peel, Core and Cut Apples
Peel and core the apples, and then cut the apples into small cubes.
3. Mix Apples with Sugar and Cinnamon
In a large bowl, toss the cubed apples with the sugar and ground cinnamon in a large mixing bowl until the apples are evenly coated.
4. Place Apples in Ramekins
Divide the apple-sugar mixture between the previously greased ramekins.
5. Bake Apple Mixture
Bake the apples in the ramekins at 350F for 20 minutes until they are slightly soft.
6. Combine Flour, Starch and Sugar
While the apples are baking, prepare the crumble topping. Combine the almond flour (or almond meal), tapioca starch, and sugar in a medium bowl. Stir well with a whisk to combine.
7. Cut Coconut Oil into Flour
Use the back of a fork or a pastry cutter to cut the chilled coconut oil into the flour mixture until you get a texture that resembles coarse wet sand.
8. Top Apples with Crumble Mixture
Distribute the gluten free crumb topping evenly over the baked apples in the ramekins.
9. Bake Until Golden
Bake the apple crumble for 40 to 45 minutes until the streusel topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
10. Serve Warm and Enjoy
Let this gluten-free dairy-free apple crumble cool just so slightly before serving warm, and topped with a scoop of ice cream (optional, but highly recommended!).
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Prevent Crumble From Burning: If you find that the crumble topping is turning very dark, cover the apple crumble with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes while it continues to bake.
- Swap Out the Apples: You can easily vary the types of apples used, and if you enjoyed this crumble, and would like to make other variations, simply swap out the apples for pears. Alternatively, you can also make our favorite gluten-free mixed berry crumble.
- Make it More Tart: If you like additional tartness, simply add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the apple mixture before baking it.
- Make it More Decadent: It’s the holiday season, so if you’re preparing this apple dessert for Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas, you make it even more luxurious by drizzling a dairy-free caramel sauce over.
- No Ramekins? I like using ramekins so this homemade apple crumble is already baked in individual portions, but if you don’t have ramekins, feel free to use a square baking dish instead (note that the baking time may be longer if you use a larger dish).
- Make Gluten-Free Apple Crisp: To make an apple crisp, simply add 1/4 cup of uncooked gluten-free oats to the crumble mixture before baking.
Recipe FAQs:
You may prepare the apple filling and crumble topping ahead of time and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before using. When ready to bake, divide the apple filling between the ramekins and then top with the crumble topping.
To store, cover the gluten-free vegan apple crumble with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the apple crumble in the oven for a few minutes until warm before serving.
An apple crumble and apple crisp are practically the same thing, with the most significant difference being that a crumble does not include oats in the streusel topping, while a crisp does. The topping of a crumble is also more clumpy compared to that of a crisp.
Other Apple Desserts and Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
- Delicious Apple Crisp (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Homemade Applesauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Moist Apple Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Applesauce Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Refreshing Fennel and Apple Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes to Indulge In:
Other Fall Recipes to Enjoy
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintGluten-Free Apple Crumble (Dairy-Free, Vegan)
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
In this easy gluten-free apple crumble recipe, soft, tender apple chunks are topped with a deliciously crunchy crumble topping! It’s the perfect dessert to celebrate fall, and enjoy during Thanksgiving dinner or holiday meals. Totally dairy-free and vegan too, but no one would care!
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 4–5 Granny Smith apples (or other green apples)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar
For the Crumble Topping:
- 3/4 cup almond flour (or almond meal)
- 1 cup tapioca starch
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, chilled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dairy-free vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat and Grease: Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and grease 4 medium ramekins with coconut oil.
- Peel, Core, and Cut: Peel and core the apples, and then cut the apples into small cubes.
- Mix Sugar, Cinnamon and Apples: Toss the cubed apples with the sugar and ground cinnamon until the apples are evenly coated.
- Divide Apple-Sugar Mixture Between Ramekins: Divide the apple-sugar mixture between the previously greased ramekins.
- Bake Apple Mixture: Bake the apples at 350F for 20 minutes until they are slightly soft.
- Combine Flour, Starch and Sugar: While the apples are baking, prepare the crumble topping. Combine the almond flour (or almond meal), tapioca starch, and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk well to combine.
- Cut Coconut Oil into Flour: Use the back of a fork or a pastry cutter to cut the chilled coconut oil into the flour mixture until you get a texture that resembles coarse wet sand.
- Top Apples with Crumble Mixture: Distribute the crumble topping evenly over the baked apples in the ramekins.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the apple crumble for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling.
- Serve Warm: Let the apple crumble cool just so slightly before serving warm, and top with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
Apples: I prefer using Granny Smith apples, but any other types of tart green apples will work (such as Ginger Gold, Pippin, Crispin, or Antonovka apples).
Cinnamon: Using ground cinnamon adds to the fall flavor of the apple crumble. Alternatively, you may also use pumpkin pie spice instead.
Sugar: I used white sugar, but feel free to use cane sugar, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Almond Flour: I like using blanched almond flour, but almond meal will work just as well (here’s how you can make your own homemade almond meal).
Tapioca Starch: To keep this recipe grain-free, I’ve used tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour). If you don’t have tapioca starch, you may use arrowroot starch too. Alternatively, you can also use a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Coconut Oil: I like using refined coconut oil for my baking because it has a less pronounced coconut taste (as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil (which has a stronger coconut flavor and smell). You may also use chilled vegan butter instead. Alternatively, if you are not dairy-intolerant, you can go ahead and use normal butter or ghee instead.
Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract to the crumble topping, but if you don’t have it on hand, or simply prefer not to use it, go ahead and leave it out instead.
Preparing Ahead: You may prepare the apple filling and crumble topping ahead of time and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before using. When ready to bake, divide the apple filling between the ramekins and then top with the crumble topping.
Storing: To store, cover the gluten-free apple crumble with plastic wrap or place them in airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the apple crumble in the oven for a few minutes until warm before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 mins
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Grace Lim says
Good morning Felicia!
I just love the various tips and suggestions in your post which are all so very practical and helpful to us who visit your blog and trying out your recipe. Thank you 🙂
Sending you love and blessings!
Mum
Felicia Lim says
Yes, the fruit crumble is such a flexible recipe. I love all variations!