An Easy, Gluten-Free Apple Crisp That Will Make You Believe There’s Goodness In This World

I haven’t had an apple crisp since I lived in New York, a place where it actually feels like fall when it’s fall. There, we would bundle up, pick fresh apples, buy a cider donut (or five), and then head home to bake all the apple desserts — pies, cakes, galettes, muffins, and of course, everyone’s favorite: apple crisp. There’s something special about the warm, spiced dessert that makes everything feel okay. Apple crisp lets you know that there is goodness in this world, and that it’s more than okay to curl up with this treat and some hot cocoa after a long day.

After three years in L.A., I’ve grown to miss the fall season (winter can still GTFO), and last weekend especially, I found myself craving a bite in the air, changing leaves, and heavy sweaters that make you feel safe and sound. When pondering what in the world could quench this thirst for autumn while on the west coast, I immediately thought of apple crisp and quickly decided to whip up an easy version of the dessert using what I had on hand. Since my partner is allergic to gluten, this dessert also happens to be gluten-free, because sharing apple crisp with your loved ones (no matter what their dietary restrictions are) is the definition of caring.

Throw everything in a bowl and get your hands dirty!

My favorite part of making this apple crisp is that it lets me feel like a kid again. After peeling and slicing my apples, and then throwing all of my ingredients in a bowl (minus the almonds and ice cream), I realized that I would have to use my hands to make sure everything was thoroughly mixed together. Yes, it brought me way too much joy, and yes, it also worked like a charm.

Once everything was mixed together, I tossed the concoction into my favorite indigo-colored dish and got to baking this dessert for about 40 minutes. The entire time it was in the oven, it made my house smell like a fall dream. Mmmm…

You can find the perfect dish for your baked goods right here.

Once the crisp was finished getting nice and warm, I toasted some almonds for a bit of crunch on top. I arranged them in a fun design for these photos, but you definitely don’t have to. Just sprinkle some over your apple mixture and you should be good to go.

When serving this dish, I highly recommend that you give each person a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I used So Delicious’s dairy-free coconut milk one, but you can use whichever type is your personal fave. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top and once that’s done, you’re golden!

Make sure you get a spoonful of ice cream with every bite!

Are you drooling yet?

For the ingredients, check out the illustration below:

And for the instructions:

1. Peel and slice your apples. If you like a bit of a crunch in your crisp, cut your slices on the thicker side.
2. Throw all of your ingredients in a bowl — minus the almonds and ice cream — and mix with your hands. If you don’t have pumpkin spice on hand, you can make it yourself. I always use Laura Vitale’s video as a reference.
3. Bake at 350ºF for about 40 minutes.
4. Once the crisp is fresh out of the oven, grab a handful of sliced almonds and toast them in a pan until they become slightly golden. Arrange them on top of your apple mixture however your heart desires.
5. Serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy!