Best Healthy Vegan Apple Crisp (Gluten Free)

Name: Best Healthy Vegan Apple Crisp (Gluten Free)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup maple syrup; ½ cup cashew butter (, I use NOW Foods salted caramel infused); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 2 ½ cups peeled chopped red apples (, about 2 medium sized apples); You can also add in an optional 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon for added flavor (, optional); 2 cups rolled oats; ½ cup cashew butter (, I use NOW Foods salted caramel infused); ½ cup maple syrup; ½ teaspoon sea salt; Vanilla ice cream (, vegan to keep this vegan); Dairy free whipped cream (, I use this homemade vegan version); Make extra filling (minus the chopped apple) and drizzle on top like caramel

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The best vegan apple crisp recipe ever made with only 5 ingredients! So easy, healthy, gluten-free and takes only 10 minutes of prep time.

it's amazing how this vegan crisp comes together so simply. The flavor is unreal and perfect for a dinner party or just a healthy apple dessert to have on hand.

Fork taking a bite of apple crisp with whipped cream on a grey dish

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of NOW Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.

This post was originally published on July 14, 2019.

Apples and cinnamon are two of my favorite combinations. The smell alone makes my mouth water! You can find these amazing flavors in my vegan apple pie, vegan apple cobbler and also this incredible healthy recipe for apple crisp!

By using natural sweeteners it's easy to keep this apple crisp recipe healthy compared to more traditional versions. Plus, the plant based whole food ingredients used are also gluten free which means this delicious dessert can be enjoyed by pretty much everyone!

Ingredients

The trick to making this gluten free vegan apple crisp easy is using the ingredients in multiple ways. Here are the key players:

Apples
Oats
Maple syrup
Cashew butter
Sea salt
Optional vanilla and cinnamon

Bowls of oats, cashew butter and maple syrup next to apples and spoons of spices.

Spoon dripping cashew butter into a jar of cashew butter with a turquoise label.

The secret of this healthier apple crisp is in the cashew butter. And my favorite kind to use is the one by NOW Foods’ new Nutty Infusions™ nut butters, specifically the salted caramel infused flavor! They also have a plain cashew butter that is just as delicious and works just as well.

Why does it work? Because when you mix the cashew butter with the maple syrup, it makes a thick caramel like mixture that combines with the liquid that the apples release.

It remains thick and helps the filling cook and the end result is not watery. You know it's working when you see it bubbling up. It's so delicious I can't even stand it.

How to Make Easy Vegan Apple Crisp

Who would have thought that you can easily make an apple crisp vegan and gluten free with so few ingredients?! It's possible and it's delicious so get ready to be blown away!

Cut the apples.
Make the gooey base.
Toss in the apples.
Make the crumbly topping.
Build the crisp and bake.
Serve!

Pile of chopped apples in a measuring cup next to a whole apple.

Wooden spoon mixing a caramel mixture in a glass bowl.

Serving Suggestions

If you're really feeling wild, here are a few things that can jazz up this vegan apple crisp recipe:

Make extra of the base and use it as a caramel like drizzle over the top
A la mode it with some vanilla ice cream
Top with coconut whipped cream.

Top view of apple crisp with whipped cream on a grey plate.

Side view of a wooden table with a plate of apple crisp and whipped cream

The Best Apples for Apple Crisp

There's a lot of debate on which apples to use when making apple desserts such as this vegan crisp. It really comes down to personal preference.

The more firm or crisp the apple the better. As the apples bake they will break down and can get mushy if your apples are too soft.

If you like your desserts on the sweeter side choose sweeter apples such as red or honey crisp. Granny Smith apples will result in a flavor that is more tart.

Tips and Tricks

This is a pretty full proof recipe, but here is some info to help you along the way to make the best vegan apple crisp!

To get the best result, you want to make sure that you peel the apples. The easiest way to do this is to use a vegetable peeler. It's fast and gets the skin off while leaving the actual apple behind.
You also want to make sure that you're cutting the apple pieces evenly so they are relatively the same size. If they are all different sizes, then they won't bake equally.
When spreading the topping, spread it around evenly so that it bakes evenly.
You also want to make sure you don't over bake it because it will dry out.

Preparing in Advance

To prep the vegan apple crisp ahead of time, you can cut the apples and store them in the fridge until ready to use. Make sure to keep them in an airtight container. They may brown a little but that's okay because you are baking it.
You can also make the topping and store it in the fridge until ready to use. Put it out on the counter so it can get to room temp before you use it.
The caramel like sauce is quick to whip up and better freshly made, so I would make that fresh but if you really wanted to make that ahead of time too you can. Just get it to room temp before you use it because it will harden a bit in the fridge.

Common Questions

Is apple crisp and apple crumble the same thing?

Crumbles and crisps are used to describe the same thing today, but originally there was a difference. Crisps traditionally had oats in the topping and crumbles did not.

Why is my apple crisp runny?

Baked fruit desserts get runny because of the fruit releasing liquid and not being cooked long enough to thicken. Usually it's because the crust starts to burn. But with my method, this doesn't happen.

How long does apple crisp last?

In our house? Maybe about 5 minutes after served. But in general, it's good for about 5-7 days. If you want it to last longer, then keep it in the fridge, but either way refrigerate it after day 2.

Should apple crisp be refrigerated?

After baking, I keep this out on the countertop until we eat it. If you have leftovers, you can keep them covered at room temperature for about 2 days. After that, put it in the fridge in an air tight container. It can last there for about another 3 days or so.

Can you reheat apple crisp?

It is best fresh since it's slightly crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside. However if you don't eat it all, you can reheat it the next day. It won't be as crisp, but you can put it back in the oven for a bit to warm it up or you can microwave it if you don't care about the softness.

More Apple Vegan Dessert Recipes

Here are a few other vegan apple recipes for those obsessed like I am: