Publised on 10/10/2024. Last Updated on 06/12/2024 by Richard
This easy Vegan Apple Crisp recipe combines sweet and tart apples with a golden brown, crunchy crumble topping, making it the perfect fall dessert for any occasion!
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Vegan Apple Crisp is an absolute classic, and it’s one of those desserts that just screams autumn. The combination of crisp apples baked until tender, all topped with a crunchy oat crumble topping, makes it the perfect fall dessert that’s easy to whip up any day of the week. In England, we'd call this a vegan apple crumble, but whatever you name it, this delicious apple crisp is all about that mix of soft, cinnamon apples and a crispy oat layer that makes you feel right at home. It's an ideal easy dessert for Thanksgiving, or just for after a Sunday lunch!
When I was a kid, nothing said “back to school” like the promise of apple crumble after a nice mid-week dinner. My mum’s got this apple orchard in the back garden, and every autumn, it’s a mad dash to pick the best apples before the birds get there first. Last fall, I decided to put those apples to good use with this vegan crisp recipe, and it took me straight back to those chilly school nights when I’d be counting down the minutes to dive into dessert. It’s like a hug in a bowl, and honestly, it’s the kind of thing that makes you wish autumn lasted a little longer!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this delicious apple crisp, you’ll need a few wholesome ingredients that are probably already lurking in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the apple filling:
- Apples (Granny Smith apples or Honeycrisp are great options)
- White sugar or Maple Syrup
- Lemon juice
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
For the crisp topping:
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose flour (or almond flour if you’re going gluten-free)
- Brown sugar or coconut sugar
- Vegan butter (I like to use Flora in the UK or Earth Balance in the US, or homemade of course)
- Cinnamon
- Salt
As always, the full recipe is down at the bottom of the page in the recipe card, so if you’re itching to get baking, feel free to scroll down for all the deets!
How to Make This Recipe
Making this easy vegan apple crisp is a total breeze! Just follow these simple steps:
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss your chopped apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and cornstarch. This apple filling will be bursting with flavour and just the right amount of sweetness.
- Make the Crisp Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold vegan butter and mix it in using your fingertips until it forms a crumbly texture—this crumble mixture will be the star of the dish.
- Assemble the Crisp: Pour the apple filling into a greased baking dish, and sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples. Make sure to cover the top of the dish in an even layer so it bakes up nice and golden brown.
- Bake: Pop it in the oven and bake until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is golden brown. Let it cool slightly before digging in—you don’t wanna burn your tongue on those cinnamon apples!
How to Customise This Vegan Apple Crisp
This easy vegan apple crisp is already a winner, but here are a few ways to customise it and make it your own:
- Swap the Flour: Use oat flour or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.
- Add Nuts: Toss some chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble mixture for an extra crunch.
- Try Different Spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the apple filling to spice things up.
- Mix the Apples: Use a mix of tart apples and sweet apples like Fuji or Gala to balance the flavours.
How to Serve This Recipe
This delicious dessert pairs beautifully with other comforting dishes. Obvs serve with a big scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, but also try serving your Vegan Apple Crisp with these other recipes from School Night Vegan:
- Vegan Caramel Sauce – for those with an extra sweet tooth in need of a topping.
- Creamy Vegan Mushroom Risotto – for a cosy, savoury main course.
- Vegan Hot Chocolate – the perfect warm drink to sip alongside your crisp.
- Vegan Whipped Cream – for a light, fluffy topping that pairs perfectly with your apple crisp.
The Best Apples for Vegan Apple Crisp
This recipe isn’t heavy on the sugar, so it’s important to use apples that are naturally sweet and crisp. I used apples from my mum’s tree, but if you’re heading to the shop, here are some of the best apples you can use:
- Honeycrisp: Juicy, crisp, and perfect for baking.
- Gala: A sweeter apple that holds up well in a crumble.
- Fuji: Adds a nice balance of crispness and sweetness.
- Braeburn: Ideal for baking with a sweet yet slightly tart flavour.
The Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble
Alright, so what’s the deal with apple crisp versus apple crumble? In the UK, we tend to call it apple crumble, while across the pond, it’s known as apple crisp. The key difference is that apple crisp traditionally includes rolled oats in the topping, giving it that crispy oat texture. On the other hand, apple crumble usually skips the oats and focuses on a crumbly, buttery topping. Honestly, they’re both crowd-pleasing desserts, and whether you call it a crumble or a crisp, it’s gonna taste fantastic.
Vegan Apple Crisp FAQs
Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for almond flour or oat flour, and you’ve got yourself a delicious gluten-free apple crisp.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat it in the oven to keep that crunchy topping nice and crispy.
Absolutely, you can use coconut oil in place of vegan butter in the crisp topping. It’ll still give you that lovely, crumbly texture.
Yes, you can freeze it before or after baking. If freezing after baking, let it thaw, then reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Serve it warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade vegan whipped cream. It’s the perfect dessert combo!
And that's it!
There you have it—your new favourite dessert, the easy vegan apple crumble that’ll have everyone coming back for more. Whether it’s a cosy night in or a big family Thanksgiving roast, this delicious apple crisp is the perfect dessert to share. I’d love to see how yours turns out, so don’t forget to take pictures and tag @schoolnightvegan on Instagram. Also, make sure you’re following me on Substack for more vegan recipes, updates, and newsletters packed with delicious ideas.
Happy baking, and why not give these guys a try next time?!
Vegan Apple Crisp (Apple Crumble)
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Medium Bowl
- Baking dish or casserole dish
Ingredients
For the apple filling
- 6 medium apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored and cubed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
For the crisp topping
- 55 g rolled oats
- 130 g all-purpose flour or almond flour for a gluten-free option
- ½ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 100 g vegan butter cold and cut into small cubes (or coconut oil)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized dish.
To Make the Apple Filling
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are evenly coated, then transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.6 medium apples, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
To Make the Crisp Topping
- In another bowl, mix together the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold vegan butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.55 g rolled oats, 130 g all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, 100 g vegan butter
- Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple mixture in the baking dish.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Let the crisp cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm, optionally with vegan vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C).
Jess
So pefect! Great tip on using sweet apples instead of bakers.