Paleo Apple Crisp (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Name: Paleo Apple Crisp (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Paleo
Ingredients: 5 Tablespoons coconut oil, butter or ghee, gently melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/4 cups pecans or walnuts coarsely chopped; 1 cup almond flour; 1/4 cup coconut sugar or maple sugar (coconut sugar will be darker); Pinch of sea salt; 10 cups apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced; ¼ cup maple syrup (add another 1/4 cup if like things sweeter)*; 2 Tablespoon arrowroot; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Jump to Recipe

This Paleo Apple Crisp has a sweet juicy apple filling and a nutty crumbly topping. It’s an easy to make healthy fruit dessert with only 8 ingredients. Even though it’s paleo, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar free, it’s so delicious everyone will come back for seconds.

Paleo Apple Crisp close up with coconut whipped cream

A gluten free fruit crisp is my absolutely favorite dessert. I make it year round with different seasonal fruits. This recipe is versatile and can be used with any fruit you like. Usually I use fresh fruit but it will also work with frozen berries.

Why I Love This Crisp

Incredibly easy to make with only 8 ingredients
A light dessert with lots of nutritious fruit and only a little bit of sweetener
Healthy enough to eat for breakfast and sweet enough for dessert
The crumbly almond flour topping is full of protein, healthy fats and fiber
The baked apples are soft and tender with a sweet cinnamon flavor
It has a variety of tastes and textures, so good
Totally gluten free, dairy free, vegan and naturally sweetened
Versatile, can be made with any seasonal fruit
Everyone loves it, great for a party, Thanksgiving or Christmas

What is the difference between a crisp, a cobbler and a crumble?

They are very similar and most people including me use the names interchangeably. Some of my cobbler recipes are technically crisps. My mother always called them cobbler and so did I until I learned the difference. Here are a few details to clarify:

Crisp is a fruit dessert baked with a crispy topping usually made with oats, nuts, butter and brown sugar. When it bakes it gets crispy hence the name.
Cobbler is a dessert consisting of a fruit filling poured into a large baking dish and covered with a batter, biscuit, or dumpling before being baked. It is more dense than a crisp.
Crumble is a fruit dessert like a crisp but without oats or nuts. It has a crumbly streusel topping usually made with a simple combination of butter, flour, and sugar.

Paleo Apple Crisp 2 servings with coconut whipped cream and spoons

Ingredients and Substitutions

This Paleo Apple Crisp is totally gluten free made with simple ingredients you can find in any healthy food store or supermarket. You may already have some of them in your pantry.

Filling

Apples, choose a few varieties for different tastes and textures. I always include a few Granny Smith because they have a tart sweet taste and nice silky texture. Substitute any fruit or combination of fruits.
Maple syrup gives it a cozy fall flavor. Honey is good but will have a different taste. Coconut sugar will work but it will look darker.
Arrowroot, just a little to hold the fruit together and create a sweet syrup as the apples cook.
Cinnamon enhances the flavor of the apples and creates a delightful taste and aroma.

Topping

Almond flour is full of healthy protein, fats and fiber with many health benefits. Tiger nut flour or oat flour can be substituted for nut free.
Pecans or walnuts add a nice crunch. They are full of healthy plant protein and antioxidants that keep you healthy. Chopped hazelnuts or sliced almonds would also work. For nut free use coconut flakes, rolled oats or sunflower seeds.
Coconut oil is a healthy fat. It boosts your immune system and contains Lauric acid which is a natural antimicrobial (which turns into Monolaurin in your body). Monolaurin helps kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Coconut oil has many health benefits. Butter or ghee can be used if you’re not dairy free.
Coconut sugar or maple sugar for a sweeter crust. It’s optional, I often make the crust without any sweetener.
Vanilla for a little additional flavor.

Paleo Apple Crisp tray with wooden spoon

How To Make

This is a simple recipe with only a few steps.

Step 1: Make the Topping

Melt the coconut oil and add the vanilla. Set aside.

In a medium bowl mix the nuts with almond flour, coconut sugar (if using) and salt.

Pour the melted coconut oil over the nut mixture.

Mix so the flours are evenly coated with the coconut oil. Set aside.

Step 2

In a small bowl mix the maple syrup, arrowroot and cinnamon. Stir to mix evenly so there are no lumps. Set aside.

Step 3

Peel and slice the apples. Place into a large bowl. (I do this last to keep the apples as fresh as possible.)

Pour the maple syrup mixture over apples. Mix gently to coat the fruit with the sweetener.

Step 4

Pour the apples into an 8 cup baking dish. Since we have 10 cups of apples it will be full. You need the full 10 cups, they will cook down and you want to have lots of fruit.

Spread the topping mixture evenly over the top of the apples.

Bake for 60 minutes or until the filling is bubbling on the sides of the pan and topping is brown. If the top is getting brown before the apples are bubbling, cover with foil.

Step 5

Let cool a few minutes and serve in bowls. Warm apple crisp smells and tastes so good! Top with coconut whipped cream or vegan ice cream.

Leftover apple crisp is a divine healthy breakfast. Top with coconut yogurt if desired.

Storage

Store the Paleo Apple Crisp covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you plan to keep it longer store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Heat in the oven or serve cold, they are both good.

Paleo Apple Crisp tray with servings in 2 bowls, apples on side

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of apples should I use?

I like to use different varieties. I always include honeycrips and Granny Smiths. Honeycrisp’s are nice and sweet. Granny Smith’s have a tart sweet taste and nice silky texture. Rome, Cortland, Empire, Gala, or Braeburn are also good varieties to use for apple crisp,

Do I have to peel the apples?

Yes, even though there are good nutrients in the peel, I recommend peeling the apples as the skin is tough and won’t give you a tender juicy texture.

Can I make this nut free?

Yes, you can replace the nuts with coconut flakes, shredded coconut or rolled oats. Tiger nut flour or oat flour can be used in place of the almond flour. It will still be gluten free. Here is a nut free cobbler/crisp recipe Nut Free Apple Raspberry Cobbler.

Can I freeze this Paleo Apple Crisp?

Yes, bake it in a freezer-safe pan. Once cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months. To serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in the oven or heat individual servings in a toaster oven.

Enjoy this delicious gluten free, paleo apple crisp anytime. It’s a healthy dessert you can feel good about eating and delicious enough for your holiday feasts. Everyone will love it.

If you like this recipe, try these other delicious gluten free, paleo fruit crisps also known as cobbler:

Paleo Pear Raspberry Cobbler/Crisp
Cranberry Apple Cobbler/Crisp
Nut Free Apple Raspberry Cobbler/Crisp
Easy Blueberry Cobbler/Crisp (can be made with frozen blueberries in the fall and winter)

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