The Easiest Apple Crisp Recipe

I adore this Easy Baked Apple Crisp. The blend of sliced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, granulated and brown sugars creates a delightful mix. I love how gluten-free rolled oats and all-purpose flour invite vegan butter and even optional chopped nuts for extra crunch. It’s a refreshing twist on a classic fall treat.

I’ve been messing around with apple crisp recipes for years, and I recently came up with what I think is the easiest yet. I start with 6 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced, a tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and a teaspoon ground cinnamon which gives it that kick.

I then toss in gluten free rolled oats, 1/2 cup gluten free all-purpose flour, a little extra cinnamon, and brown sugar. I even add in a bit of vegan butter to mix it up.

Sometimes I’ll throw in some chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch – though thats optional. I love how this recipe can be prepped in advance and works great as an applesauce crisp or even a no butter apple crisp if you want to try something different.

Every time I make it, I get excited by the promise of fall flavors with ease and simplicity.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it fills my house with this amazing, cozy apple and cinnamon smell that instantly makes my day better. I also dig how simple it is – even if my cooking skills are pretty average, I can throw it together almost without thinking. The crunchy, buttery topping gives such a fun texture contrast against the soft, tender apples, and I just can’t get enough of that mix. Plus, since it’s gluten free and vegan, it just fits perfectly with my lifestyle and leaves me feeling good about indulging.

Ingredients

• Fresh apples supply natural sweetness, fiber, and their soft texture makes the crisp extra juicy.
• Lemon juice brightens flavor with a tangy kick and stops apples from browning.
• Gluten free rolled oats add hearty texture and beneficial carbs for energy plus lots of fiber.
• Brown sugar enriches the dish with deep caramel-like sweetness and moistness to baked apples.
• Vegan butter gives a rich crumbly topping while bindin ingredients for a perfect, crisp finish.
• Optional nuts contribute crunch, protein, and healthy fats, offerin extra flavor and texture variety.

Ingredient Quantities

• 6 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup gluten free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup gluten free all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon extra cinnamon
• 1/4 cup vegan butter, cold and cubed
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt until they are well coated.

3. Spread the apple mixture evenly in your prepared dish.

4. In another bowl, mix together the gluten free rolled oats, gluten free all-purpose flour, packed brown sugar and the extra 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

5. Add the cold, cubed vegan butter to the oat mixture. Using a fork or your fingers, break the butter down into smaller bits until the topping becomes crumbly.

6. If using, stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans for an added crunch.

7. Evenly sprinkle the crumbly topping over the apples in the dish.

8. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbly. Enjoy warm!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven and baking dish
2. Two mixing bowls (one large bowl for the apples and one smaller bowl for the topping)
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Fork (or use your fingers to break up the vegan butter)
5. Knife and cutting board (for slicing apples and chopping any walnuts or pecans)

FAQ

The Easiest Apple Crisp Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you don’t have lemon juice, try using a bit of lime juice or even a splash of apple cider vinegar to get that tangy kick.
• If vegan butter is not available, you can use coconut oil or regular butter if you’re not vegan but keep an eye on the flavor change.
• You can swap gluten free rolled oats with regular rolled oats if gluten isn’t a concern for you.
• For the gluten free all-purpose flour you might use almond flour or oat flour, though the texture might be slightly different.
• If you need an alternative to granulated sugar, honey or maple syrup can be used, but you may need to adjust the liquid content a bit.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you coat the apple slices really well with the lemon juice and spices; i find it helps to toss them a few times so every piece gets some love.
2. When you add the vegan butter to the oat mixture, be gentle with it using your fingers or a fork. Don’t overwork it or the topping might end up too mushy instead of that perfect crumbly texture.
3. If you’re into nuts, try to lightly toast them in a dry pan first. It brings out more flavor and makes your dish crunchier.
4. Always let your oven get all the way to 350°F before putting the dish in, it really makes a difference in achieving a nice even bake and a golden topping.