This is the best vegan apple crisp you will ever eat!  Perfectly cooked apples and cinnamon, topped with a crispy crunch made from brown sugar and oats.  Whether or not you like yours topped with ice cream or just served plain, this apple crumble has all the yummy goodness of apple pie, with a lot less work!

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If you’re like me and love the crispy coating on apple crisp, then this is the recipe for you!  I’ve spent years perfecting this crumple topping, and I don’t skimp on this layer!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • You can make it with simple ingredients that are readily available.
  • It’s easily made gluten-free without compromising taste or texture.
  • This apple crisp is just as delicious as apple pie with a lot less work.
  • It’s the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving, holidays, or any special occasion.

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Apples – you will need about 8 apples.  You can also swap out the apples for berries and make a berry crisp instead.
  • Sugar – to sweeten the apple filling a little.  You can leave this out or use maple syrup instead.
  • Cinnamon – for flavor.
  • Nutmeg – for flavor.
  • Flour – a little mixed with the apples and a little more in the crumble topping.  To make it gluten-free, you can use cornstarch mixed with the apples instead of flour, and any gluten-free flour you prefer for the crumble topping.
  • Oats – I prefer using whole oats for the nice texture they bring to the dish; however, quick oats can also be used.
  • Brown Sugar – to add a rich flavor to the coating.  You can also use coconut sugar.
  • Vegan Butter – or refined coconut oil for the crispy topping.  This is a key ingredient to make the coating crispy, so I don’t recommend making this recipe oil-free.
  • Baking Soda – the secret ingredient for a little rise in the crumble topping, which helps make it crispier.
A baking dish filled with vegan apple crisp with a thick layer of crumble topping and a piece taken out of it.

How to make vegan apple crisp

Make the apple layer

Step 1 –  Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step 2 – Peel, cut, and slice 8 cups of apples and place them in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Step 3 – Sprinkle the sliced apples with 4 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.

Step 4 – Stir the apples until they are evenly coated in the sugar mixture.

Step 5 – Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking, then pour the apples into the bottom of the dish and spread them evenly.

A collage of 4 pictures showing the process of mixing sliced apples with flour, cinnamon and sugar to make the first layer of apple crisp..

Make the crumble topping

Step 6 – Place 2/3 cup vegan butter, 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 cups oats, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp baking soda in a mixing bowl.

Step 7 – Mix well until the butter is incorporated and you have a uniform crumbly mixture.  (I find it easiest to use my hands for this step, but you can use the back of a fork or a pastry cutter.

Step 8 – Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.

Step 9 – Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes, or until the top is crispy and slightly darker.

Step 10 – Let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving to allow it to firm up slightly.

A collage of 4 pictures showing mixing the vegan butter, flour, oats, and spices to make the crumble topping and layering it on top of the apple crisp.

Top your vegan apple crisp with some homemade aquafaba ice cream, aquafaba whipped cream, or vegan whipped cream frosting!  You can even add a drizzle of vegan salted caramel, easy peanut butter caramel, or homemade vegan butterscotch to make it extra fancy.

Pro Tips

  • If you want to save on calories, you can cut the amount of crumble topping in half and still have a nice layer on top of the apples.
  • Be sure to use crisp, firm apples for apple slices that will keep their structure.
  • Bake in an 8 x 8-inch pan for a thicker apple crisp or in a 9 x 13 lasagna pan for a thinner crisp.

Gluten-free instructions

To make your apple crisp gluten-free, simply swap out the 2 tablespoons of flour that you mix with the apples for 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (you can also use potato starch or arrowroot).  Swap out the flour in the crumb topping with any gluten-free flour mix of your choice in equal amounts.

Choosing your apples

Choose a type of apple that is crisp and firm so it will hold its shape when baked.  There are many varieties that will work well for an apple crisp.

Here are some great choices

  • Honey Crips
  • Jonagold
  • Granny Smith
  • Gala
  • Pink Lady
  • Empire
  • Mutsu
A helping of vegan apple crisp with icecream on top with a fork in it.

Note: Create any type of fruit crumble using my vegan crumble topping, layered on top of 4 cups of fruit or berries, and bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes.

You can read more about varieties of apples that are good for baking here.

More fall recipes

Vegan apple crisp recipe

A large slice of vegan apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla icecream on top with some loaded on a fork.
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5 from 3 rating

Vegan Apple Crisp

Yield: 9
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Author: Monica Davis
An easy vegan apple crisp aka apple crumble recipe made with apples, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon.
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Ingredients

For the apple layer

  • 8 cups sliced apples
  • 2 tablespoons flour, (or 1 tbsp cornstarch)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar, or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

For the crumble topping

  • 1 1/2 cup flour, (use GF if necessary)
  • 1 1/2 cup oats
  • 2/3 cup vegan butter, (use soy-free if needed)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions
 

Make the apple layer

  • Preheat the oven to 375° F.
  • Peel, cut, and slice 8 cups of apples and place them in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  • Sprinkle the sliced apples with 4 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
  • Stir the apples until they are evenly coated in the sugar mixture.
  • Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with a little oil to prevent sticking, then pour the apples into the bottom of the dish and spread evenly.

Make the crumble topping

  • Place 2/3 cup vegan butter, 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp baking soda in a mixing bowl.
  • Mix well until the butter is incorporated and you have a uniform crumbly mixture.  (I find it easiest to use my hands for this step, but you can use the back of a fork or a pastry cutter.
  • Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly on top of the apples.
  • Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes or until the top is crispy and slightly darker.
  • Let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving to allow it to firm up slightly.

Notes

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 398kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 502mg, Potassium: 254mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 699IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 2mg
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