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Gluten-Free Apple Crumble With Oat Topping – Cozy, Comforting, and Easy

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Apples (6–7 medium; about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds) – Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or a mix
  • Lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
  • Brown sugar (1/4 cup for filling, 1/3 cup for topping)
  • Maple syrup (2 tablespoons)
  • Ground cinnamon (2 teaspoons, divided)
  • Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon)
  • Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
  • Gluten-free rolled oats (1 1/2 cups; certified GF)
  • Almond flour (3/4 cup)
  • Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, 1/2 cup)
  • Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
  • Unsalted butter (6 tablespoons), cold and cubed; or coconut oil for dairy-free
  • Cornstarch or arrowroot (1 1/2 tablespoons) to thicken the apple juices
  • Optional add-ins: Raisins (1/4 cup), ginger (1/4 teaspoon), orange zest (1 teaspoon)

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch square or 2-quart baking dish.
  2. Slice the apples: Peel if you like (peels add texture), then core and slice into 1/4-inch wedges. Aim for even slices so they bake uniformly.
  3. Toss the filling: In a large bowl, combine apples, lemon juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and cornstarch. Mix until the apples are coated and glossy. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
  4. Make the topping: In another bowl, stir oats, almond flour, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/3 cup brown sugar, salt, and nuts if using. Add cold butter cubes. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into pea-sized bits. The mixture should clump when squeezed.
  5. Assemble: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples. Don’t press it down too firmly—light packing keeps it crisp.
  6. Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch drips. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the topping is deep golden and the apple juices are bubbling around the edges.
  7. Rest: Let the crumble sit for 10–15 minutes. This helps the juices thicken so each scoop holds together.
  8. Serve: Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or Greek yogurt. A drizzle of extra maple syrup doesn’t hurt either.