Easy Vegan Apple Crisp

Finding a cozy dessert that everyone can enjoy – including your vegan friends and family – can feel like an impossible task. Between navigating dietary restrictions and trying to keep that classic fall comfort-food feeling, dessert time can start to feel more stressful than sweet.

That’s where this vegan apple crisp comes to the rescue: it’s warm and comforting, super easy to throw together, and uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, nobody will even notice it’s completely plant-based!

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

For apple crisp, you’ll want to use apples that hold their shape when baked and offer a good balance of sweet and tart flavors. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice since they stay firm during baking and their tartness works really well with the sweet topping. You can also try Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn – or even better, use a mix of different varieties to create more interesting flavors. Just avoid softer apples like Red Delicious, which can turn mushy when baked. When picking your apples, look for ones that feel firm and heavy for their size, with no bruises or soft spots.

Options for Substitutions

This cozy vegan apple crisp is pretty adaptable! Here are some helpful swaps you can try:

• Apples: Any firm baking apples work great here – try Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. Mix and match different varieties for more complex flavor. Just avoid softer apples like Red Delicious that can turn mushy.
• Vegan buttery spread: You can use coconut oil as a 1:1 replacement, though it will add a slight coconut flavor. For an oil-free version, try unsweetened applesauce in the filling (use same amount), but the topping needs a fat source to crisp up properly.
• Plain flour: For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You can also try almond flour or oat flour, though the texture will be slightly different.
• Old-fashioned oats: Quick oats can work in a pinch, but the texture won’t be as nice. For gluten-free, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
• Brown sugar: Feel free to swap with coconut sugar, maple sugar, or date sugar. You can even reduce the amount if you prefer it less sweet. For the filling, maple syrup works too – use about 1/3 cup.
• Lemon juice: Apple cider vinegar or orange juice can work instead – use the same amount to keep the apples from browning and add that bit of tang.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The success of your vegan apple crisp largely depends on the apple preparation – cutting them too thick will lead to an undercooked filling, while slicing them too thin can turn them into mush, so aim for uniform 1/4-inch slices. A common mistake is skipping the lemon juice, which not only prevents the apples from browning but adds a necessary brightness to balance the sweetness. When preparing the topping, avoid overmixing after adding the melted vegan butter – you want the mixture to form coarse crumbs rather than a paste, as this creates that perfect crispy texture we’re after. For the best results, check the doneness by inserting a knife into the apples around the 45-minute mark – they should be tender but still hold their shape, and the topping should be golden brown but not burnt.

What to Serve With Apple Crisp?

This warm, cozy apple crisp is perfect on its own, but adding a scoop of vanilla non-dairy ice cream takes it to a whole new level! If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, try topping it with a dollop of whipped coconut cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce (make sure it’s vegan-friendly). For breakfast or brunch, I love serving apple crisp with a cup of hot coffee or chai tea, and maybe a spoonful of vanilla coconut yogurt on top. You could also add some chopped pecans or walnuts as a garnish for extra crunch.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This apple crisp stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. The topping might lose some of its crunch over time, but it’s still just as yummy! I like to portion it out into individual containers for easy grab-and-go desserts during the week.

Freeze: You can freeze your apple crisp for up to 3 months! Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. For best results, freeze the topping separately from the apple filling to keep that nice crunch when you’re ready to enjoy it.

Warm Up: To enjoy your apple crisp warm, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes if refrigerated, or 30-35 minutes if frozen. You can also microwave individual portions for 30-45 seconds, though the topping won’t be as crispy. A quick tip: sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top before reheating for that fresh-baked aroma!

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	45-60 minutes
Total Time	65-90 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 90-100 g
• Carbohydrates: 350-370 g

Ingredients

• 6 large apples (approximately 4 lbs), peeled, cored, and finely chopped
• 1/3 cup melted vegan buttery spread
• 3 tablespoons plain flour
• 1/3 cup water
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegan buttery spread

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Apples

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with oil and set it aside.

Next, peel, core, and chop the apples into thin, small pieces to ensure they become tender during baking.

Place the chopped apples in a large bowl and set them aside.

Step 2: Make the Apple Coating

In a medium bowl, combine melted vegan butter with 3 tablespoons of flour, whisking to blend.

Add water, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, mixing until smooth.

Pour this mixture over the apples in the large bowl.

Mix well to ensure all apple pieces are evenly coated.

Transfer the coated apples into the prepared casserole dish and spread them out evenly.

Set this aside while you prepare the topping.

Step 3: Prepare the Topping

Using a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Add softened vegan butter or coconut oil, using clean fingers or a pastry cutter to incorporate it into the flour mixture.

Continue until the mixture is crumbly and well combined.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples in the casserole dish.

Step 4: Bake the Crisp

Place the casserole dish on the center rack of the preheated oven.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apples beneath are tender.

The dish should be bubbling, especially around the edges, which indicates it’s ready.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once baked, remove the apple crisp from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.

Serve warm, optionally topped with a scoop of non-dairy vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of vegan caramel.

Enjoy your delicious dessert!