Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crumble with Almond Flour Topping
A warm, comforting apple crumble made with tender spiced apples and a crunchy oat-almond flour topping. Fresh ginger adds a subtle zing while coconut oil creates the perfect crumbly texture without butter. This plant-based dessert is naturally gluten-free and perfect for fall gatherings, holiday dinners, or any time you crave a cozy dessert. Serve warm with vegan ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate treat.
Ingredients
- 6 medium to large cooking apples, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ lemon lemon zest
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup rolled gluten free oats
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 8 tablespoons refined coconut oil, room temperature
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- 2
Core, peel and thinly slice the apples and grate the ginger
- 3
Combine apple slices with ginger, lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and salt in large bowl and toss until well coated
- 4
Make crumble topping by stirring together almond flour, brown sugar, oats, walnuts and salt in separate bowl
- 5
Add vanilla to topping mixture and stir, then add coconut oil in small dollops
- 6
Use pastry cutter or fork to incorporate coconut oil until mixture is crumbly
- 7
Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with coconut oil and place apple filling in bottom
- 8
Evenly distribute crumble topping over apples
- 9
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until browned and bubbly
- 10
Allow to cool slightly before serving
Tips
Use firm cooking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture that holds up during baking
Make sure coconut oil is at room temperature but not melted for proper crumble texture
Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow filling to set slightly
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Can assemble up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed adding 5-10 minutes if needed.
Serve warm with vegan ice cream or whipped cream
Common Mistakes
Don't use melted coconut oil or topping will be soggy instead of crumbly
Don't skip letting it cool slightly or filling will be too runny to serve neatly
Substitutions
Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use regular oats instead of gluten-free oats?
Yes, if gluten isn't a concern. Regular rolled oats work perfectly and will give the same texture and flavor.
How do I know when the crumble is done?
The topping should be golden brown and the apple filling should be bubbling around the edges. A knife should easily pierce the apples.
Can I freeze this apple crumble?
Yes, freeze baked crumble up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in 350°F oven until warmed through.