gluten free apple crisp with no oats served on a plate with a bronze spoon with red apples behind it

Easy Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Without Oats: Streusel Crumble

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Apple season is here, and I’ve perfected a gluten-free apple crisp without oats that’s so good, you’ll want to make it on repeat! Fresh, juicy apples are topped with a thick, oat-free crumbly topping of streusel that’s light enough for breakfast yet delicious enough for dessert. Many gluten-free flours lack that satisfying crunch, so I’ve found the perfect balance by adding cornstarch. Trust me, you don’t want to let the apple season pass without giving this one a try!

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plate of homemade gluten free apple crisp with a bronze spoon

My childhood home had three apple trees right in the front yard, and every autumn, my parents, siblings and I would gather around to harvest and process the apples for fruit crisp. We had this trusty apple corer and peeler — the same one I still use today when I work through my own apple haul.

Now, as a mom with a family navigating different dietary needs, I’m still whipping up those cozy apple desserts, just with a few tweaks. Today, I’m excited to share my gluten-free, oat-free apple crisp recipe — a delicious way to savor the warmth of home and the abundance of fall, no matter what dietary restrictions come our way.

Table of Contents

9 by 13 baking dish full of gluten free apple crisp without oats on counter

What Are The Best Apples To Use For Gluten Free Apple Crisp?

The best apples for a gluten-free apple crisp are those that hold their shape and offer a balance of sweetness and tartness. The combination makes a delicious apple crisp.

Here are five top choices:

  1. Honeycrisp Apples – These juicy and sweet apples have a sturdy texture, making Honeycrisps a great choice for apple crisp. They add a natural sweetness and a perfect crispness to the apple filling. They are my overall favorite variety of apple.
  2. Green Granny Smith Apples – These apples are famously tart and firm, making them ideal for baking. They add a delicious tang to the crisp, balancing the sweetness of the crumble topping.
  3. Golden Delicious Apples – Milder than other varieties, Golden Delicious apples provide a subtle sweetness that complements spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. They also soften a bit more, creating a nice contrast with firmer apples like Granny Smith.
  4. Braeburn Apples – These sweet-tart apples hold up well under heat, adding both structure and depth to the crisp.
  5. Cortland Apples – Known for their crisp flesh and resistance to browning, Cortland apples are fantastic for baking. Their lack of oxidation means they retain fresh flavors without any off-taste from browning, though they’re best used quickly as their flavor fades with storage.

Using a mix—such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Cortland—gives a balanced blend of sweet, tart, and juicy flavors for the ultimate gluten-free apple crisp.

pinterest graphic of gluten free apple crisp in baking dishes

Why You’ll Love this Gluten Free Apple Crisp Without Oats

One of my favorite things about gluten-free apple crisp is that most of the ingredients are pantry staples, which means I can make it on fairly short notice. Unlike an apple pie, where making a gluten free crust is no small feat.

The combination of simple ingredients along with fresh apples means I can whip up a delicious apple dessert in no time.

And there is something so comforting about the fall flavors in this easy apple dessert that I am glad I can make safely make it for my whole family.

I have a daughter with Celiac disease, and I need gluten free safe foods as well as dairy free and often vegan safe. So, I use this recipe to make a gluten free vegan apple crisp version and then all 7 of us can enjoy this homemade apple crisp during the holiday season. 

apple peeling kitchen tool gadget sits on counter with a green apple in it

Equipment for Making Apple Crisp Without Oats Easily

The most time consuming part of making apple crips of any kind, regular or gluten free, dairy free is always the prepping of the apples. What if I told you there was a tool that makes it not only easier but kind of fun too?

Well let me introduce you to an Apple Peeler Corer! It peels, corers and slices the apples all at the same time. My kids love using it to make apple spirals and I also use it, without the corer/ spiral attachment, to peel potatoes for Thanksgiving.

But if you don’t have one of these tools yet and can’t wait for Amazon to bring you one, a simple Vegetable Peeler works well too. Once you’ve peeled the apples, you can use a Apple Cutter and Divider if you have one of those as well.

The other item you will need for this recipe is a 9 x 13 baking dish.

ingredients for gluten free apple crisp without oats in various bowls

Ingredients For This Classic Fall Dessert

For the Apple Filling:

  • 8 cups Apples
    • (Use a combination of apple varieties listed above peeled, cored, and sliced. See the equipment list for a tool that makes this step a breeze.)
  • 2 tbsp. Lemon Juice
  • 3 tbsp. Brown Sugar (or Maple Syrup, or Coconut Sugar)
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch (for thickening)
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg (optional)

For the Streusel Topping:

  • 1 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (King Arthur Measure for Measure)
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1/8 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup Melted Butter (1 stick) (or Vegan Butter for Dairy-Free)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Prepare the Apples: In a large bowl (or right in the 9×13 pan), toss the sliced apples with lemon juice.
  3. Mix the Filling Ingredients: In a small bowl mix up the filling ingredients and stir into the apple slices. Once fully coated, spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Make the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, mix the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  5. Wet into Dry: Pour the melted butter it into the dry ingredients, stir until combined.
  6. Assemble: Sprinkle the apple crisp crumble topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
  7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender, the apple juices underneath are bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  8. Cool and Serve: Let the apple crisp cool for a few minutes before serving. It’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce!

Notes and Storage:

  • You can easily half this recipe and bake in an 8 x 8 baking dish instead.
  • Add up to 1 cup of chopped nuts by decreasing Gluten Free Flour Blend to 3/4 cup.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Enjoy your gluten-free apple crisp without oats in this easy and simple recipe!

Infographic of How to Make Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Oats

infographic of step by step instructions of how to make gluten free apple crisp without oats easy

What to Serve Gluten Free Apple Crisp With:

​Some of our favorite desserts for fall are fruit crisps, and this gluten free apple crisp is our top favorite.

If you love this recipe but also want to try another version that does include oats, try out my Simple and Easy Recipe for Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Oats.

Serve with a scoop of ice cream on top and drizzle just a bit of homemade caramel sauce over it and you have the perfect dessert! If you need a vegan version of homemade caramel sauce, I’ve got you covered! Check out my  Homemade Vegan Caramel Sauce Recipe.

And if you’d like more cozy, warm comforting fall food, try my Easy Homemade Chai Tea Latte Recipe Apple Cider Chai Tea Latte: Easy Homemade Recipe.

a pan of gluten free apple crisp sits below text and a bowl of streusel topping sits near a pan of sliced apples

Leave a Review

As a SAHM, it really means the world to me to have your support. I hope this recipe works well for your dietary needs and that you love it as much as we do.

Pinning it on Pinterest, sharing on social media or coming back and leaving a starred review, helps more people find it which also helps me be able to make more recipes to share. I appreciate the support so much! Thank you!

white baking dish with gluten free apple crisp without oats and a silver spoon removing a serving

Gluten Free Apple Crisp Without Oats

Joanna
Tender baked cinnamon apple slices topped with a soft, streusel crumble that is oat free. Gluten free and easily becomes dairy free or vegan with a quick substitution.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Equipment

  • 9 x 13 Baking Pan
  • Large Bowl
  • Medium Bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Apple Filling:

  • 8 cups Apples Use a combination of apple varieties listed above peeled, cored, and sliced. See the equipment list for a tool that makes this step a breeze.
  • 2 tbsp. Lemon Juice
  • 3 tbsp. Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup, or Coconut Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch for thickening
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg optional

For the Streusel Topping:

  • 1 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour King Arthur Measure for Measure
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1/8 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup Melted Butter (1 stick) or Vegan Butter for Dairy-Free

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • In a large bowl (or right in the 9×13 pan), toss the sliced apples with lemon juice.
  • In a small bowl mix up the filling ingredients and stir into the apple slices. Once fully coated, spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Pour the melted butter it into the dry ingredients, stir until combined.
  • Sprinkle the apple crisp crumble topping evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender, the apple juices underneath are bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  • Let the apple crisp cool for a few minutes before serving. It’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce!

Notes

You can easily half this recipe and bake in an 8 x 8 baking dish instead.
Add up to 1 cup of chopped nuts by decreasing Gluten Free Flour Blend to 3/4 cup.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
If you like this recipe, please leave a starred review as this greatly helps other readers know this is a trustworthy recipe not made by AI. 
Try out my: Simple and Easy Recipe for Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Oats
Keyword dessert, Fall, gluten free

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