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
