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