Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe
Introduction
This Vegan Apple Crisp is a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for any season. With tender cinnamon-spiced apples and a crunchy, buttery topping, it’s a comforting treat that everyone will love. Plus, it’s easy to make and naturally dairy-free.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds (1.3 kg) apples (about 8 medium or 6 jumbo)
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup (80g) pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (not imitation)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ¼ teaspoon pre-ground)
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 stick or 8 tablespoons (112g) vegan butter, sliced into thick pats
- ½ cup (60g) chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons (110g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- A heaping ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (80g) organic cane sugar
- ¼ cup (80g) pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped topping (for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and place the rack in the top third of the oven. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a 2-quart baking dish with oil, cooking spray, or vegan butter.
- Step 2: Toast the butter and pecans. In a light-colored saucepan or skillet, melt the sliced vegan butter over medium heat. Once foamy and bubbling (about 3 minutes), cook for 1 more minute, stirring frequently. Add the chopped pecans and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a medium bowl to cool.
- Step 3: Peel and slice the apples into ¼” to ½” thick wedges or slices, cutting around the core. Place them in a large bowl, add lemon juice, and toss to coat evenly.
- Step 4: In the same bowl, mix the apples with maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom if using, 2 tablespoons flour, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture to the greased skillet or baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Step 5: Prepare the topping by adding the remaining flour, oats, ¾ teaspoon salt, cane sugar, maple syrup, flaxseed meal, and cinnamon to the butter-pecan mixture. Mix with a fork or hands until sticky and slightly sandy in texture.
- Step 6: Scatter the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling, varying the size of the clumps for texture. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden, juices are bubbling on the sides, and the apples are tender when pierced.
- Step 7: Let the crisp rest for at least 20 minutes, ideally 45 minutes, to allow the filling to set before serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
Tips & Variations
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for more complex flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
- Swap pecans for walnuts or skip the nuts entirely if preferred.
- Toast the oats separately for a nuttier topping flavor.
- Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the filling for an adult twist.
Storage
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings gently in the microwave or warm in a 350ºF (175ºC) oven until heated through. The crisp topping may lose some crunch after refrigeration but still tastes delicious.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?
Fresh apples are best for texture and flavor. If using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before mixing with other ingredients to avoid a watery crisp.
How can I make this recipe nut-free?
Simply omit the pecans or walnuts in the topping and toast the vegan butter alone. You can add extra oats or seeds like pumpkin seeds for crunch instead.
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Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Apple Crisp recipe offers a warm, comforting dessert perfect for cozy evenings. Made with a spiced apple filling and topped with a crunchy pecan-oat crumble, it’s entirely plant-based and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and cane sugar. Baked to golden perfection, it pairs beautifully with vegan vanilla ice cream or whipped topping for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Filling
- 3 pounds (1.3 kg) apples (about 8 medium or 6 jumbo apples)
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup (80g) pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (not imitation)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ¼ teaspoon pre-ground nutmeg)
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (see Note 2 for GF alternative)
- Pinch of sea salt
Crisp Topping
- 1 stick or 8 tablespoons (112g) vegan butter, sliced into thick pats
- ½ cup (60g) chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons (110g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- A heaping ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (80g) organic cane sugar
- ¼ cup (80g) pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Serving
- Vegan vanilla ice cream or whipped topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and position a rack in the top third of the oven to ensure the crisp browns well. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a 2-quart baking dish with oil, cooking spray, or vegan butter to prevent sticking.
- Toast Butter and Pecans: In a light-colored saucepan or skillet, add the sliced vegan butter and heat over medium. Stir occasionally until melted, foamy, and bubbling (about 3 minutes). Continue cooking for another minute while stirring to develop nutty brown butter flavor. Add chopped pecans, stirring frequently for 2 minutes to toast. Remove from heat and pour mixture into a medium bowl to cool.
- Prepare Apples: Peel the apples and slice them into wedges or slices approximately ¼” to ½” (0.6 to 1.25 cm) thick, removing the core. Place the slices in a large bowl, toss with lemon juice to prevent browning, and mix well.
- Make the Apple Filling: To the apples, add maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom (if using), flour, and a pinch of sea salt. Mix thoroughly so apples are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture evenly to the prepared skillet or baking dish, scraping out any remaining liquid with a silicone spatula.
- Prepare Crisp Topping: Once the butter-pecan mixture has cooled slightly, add the flour, rolled oats, sea salt, cane sugar, maple syrup, flaxseed meal, and ground cinnamon to the bowl. Mix together with a fork or your hands until the topping is sticky with a slightly sandy texture.
- Assemble and Bake: Evenly scatter the crumb topping over the apple filling using your hands, varying the size of the clumps for texture. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until the fruit juices bubble at the edges, the topping is golden brown, and apples are tender when pierced.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the apple crisp to rest for at least 20 minutes, ideally 45 minutes, to set up and thicken. Serve warm topped with vegan vanilla ice cream or whipped topping, if desired.
Notes
- Note 1: Choose apples that hold their shape well when baked, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn.
- Note 2: For a gluten-free option, substitute regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that includes xanthan gum.
- Note 3: Use high-quality vegan butter for best flavor and browning results.
- Note 4: Pecans are preferred for their buttery flavor, but walnuts can be used as a substitute.
- Note 5: This measurement for the topping flour provides structure and balances texture.
- Note 6: Slicing apples uniformly ensures even cooking and a consistent texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: vegan apple crisp, apple dessert, vegan dessert, fall dessert, fruit crisp, plant-based dessert
