Apple Crisp (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free)

Two small dishes filled with paleo and gluten-free apple crisp and whipped coconut cream.

4.71 from 27 votes

Apple Crisp (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free)

Topped with a nutty, cinnamon-infused, oat-free crunchy crust, this gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and grain-free apple crisp will knock your socks off. You’ll be proud to serve this better-for-you apple crisp to your friends and family—and as it bakes, it’ll will make your house smell amazing, too!

Prep Time20

Cook Time45

Cooling time10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gluten-free, grain-free, nom nom paleo, nomnompaleo, paleo, paleo dessert, Vegan

Servings: people

Author: Michelle Tam

Ingredients

Crisp Topping

½ cup finely ground almond flour
⅓ cup maple sugar or coconut sugar
½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
5 tablespoons chilled ghee or refined coconut oil, cut into small pieces
⅓ cup whole raw pecans
⅓ cup whole raw almonds
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Apple Filling

2½ pounds apples peeled, cored, and sliced into ¼-inch wedges (see post for best baking apples)
2 tablespoons maple sugar or coconut sugar
2 teaspoons tapioca starch
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
whipped coconut topping or ice cream optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the crisp topping

Put the almond flour, maple sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom in a food processor work bowl fitted with a steel blade.
Add in the chilled ghee or coconut oil. Pulse the mixture 5 to 7 times or until the mixture has a coarse cornmeal texture.
Toss in the nuts and coconut flakes. Pulse until the mixture looks like nubbly wet sand with some nutty bits—don’t overdo it because you don’t want to form a dough.
Transfer the topping to a bowl and chill it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

Make the filling

While the topping is chilling, heat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle position.
Toss together the apples, maple sugar, tapioca, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
Add the lemon zest and juice and mix well with a silicone spatula.
Transfer the apples to a 2-quart baking pan (8-inch square or 9-inch round) and spread them in an even layer.
Evenly distribute the chilled crisp topping over the apples.
Bake for about 35 to 45 minutes or until the apples are easily pierced with a fork and the topping turns golden brown.
Cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with whipped coconut cream or ice cream if desired.

Video

Nutrition