This delightful gluten-free Apple Crisp recipe features Honeycrisp apples and a crunchy almond flour topping. A perfect balance of sweetness and spice, this low-sugar dessert is a wholesome treat for all!
I never thought my enjoyment of Fujis would be surpassed, but it has…I’ve now fallen in love with Honeycrisp. Honeycrisp apples are my favorite eating apple, and it turns out they also make a delicious apple crisp.
The streusel topping in this apple crisp recipe is flour/wheat/gluten-free as it’s made with almond flour. You can make your own almond flour by briefly blending almonds in a high-speed blender. Blanched (skin-free) almond flour is also available in many health food stores and online. Bob’s Red Mill is a good brand.
If you don’t want to buy or make almond flour, if you don’t eat nuts, or if you just prefer to make a more traditional topping, you can substitute an equal amount of organic wheat or spelt flour for the almond flour.
One thing to keep in mind is that it does take a while for Honeycrisp apples to really soften when baking (I baked this crisp for just over an hour). They do retain their shape when cooked, though (instead of becoming apple mush!). And absolutely feel free to substitute your favorite baking apple if Honeycrisps aren’t your thing.
In addition to being a gluten-free recipe, this is also a relatively low-sugar dessert (and you can reduce the sugar even further, if you like). I didn’t do a ton of spices in here, because my kids prefer things simple, but you could add a little ground cloves or ginger to the apples if you like.
Gluten-Free Apple Crisp with Almond Flour
Ingredients
For the almond streusel topping
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter unsalted, about 1/2 a stick
For the apples
- 5 apples peeled and sliced; I used Honeycrisp, but use your favorite baking apple
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 orange juiced
- 1 splash brandy optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. While the oven is heating, mix almond flour, cinnamon and salt together. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender (or 2 knives, or with clean hands) so that the topping resembles course crumbs. Set aside.
- Combine apples, sugar, cinnamon, orange juice, and optional brandy in a bowl. Mix well. Pack into a deep oven-proof baking/serving pie dish.
- Spoon struesel topping over the apples. Bake in preheated oven for 55-65 minutes or until apples are soft and bubbling and the topping is crisp. Serve with homemade whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.
