Simple, delicious, this beginner-easy Gluten Free Apple Strawberry Crisp is going to be your new favorite dessert! Made with just a few wholesome ingredients, this tasty treat comes together in one bowl and bakes around 45 minutes, is gluten free, paleo friendly, refined sugar free and can be made into a vegan friendly dessert with just a few easy tweaks.
I always fall for the sales at the grocery store on berries that make you buy 2 to get one free, and then find myself with way more berries than I can consume before they go bad! Sometimes I freeze them, but more often I love to make desserts like this Apple Strawberry Crisp or this Blueberry Crisp when I need to make sure my berries don't go to waste!
If you are anything like me, I love something smooth and cold on top of my warm baked desserts. Luckily there are lots of options, you can top this crisp dessert with homemade vanilla or strawberry ice cream, or you could level it up and impress your friends by making this easy whipped champagne vanilla cream.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It is simple to prepare. Requiring only one bowl and 30 minutes of baking time, this recipe could not be any easier to whip up in a flash when the craving for something sweet strikes.
- It's a healthier option. This apple strawberry crisp is both gluten free and grain free, paleo friendly and can be made vegan friendly with a few simple swaps.
- It is a great recipe for a beginner. If you're not the most confident baker, this is the perfect easy to make dessert that you can prepare for friends and family. You'll not only impress them but you'll feel super confident in your abilities, too!
Ingredient Notes & Tested Substitutions
- Apples. I used pink lady apples in this crisp because I like things to be extra sweet! If you are wanting more of a tart treat, you may want to use Granny Smith apple as they are the most tart apple and perfect for baking.
- Strawberries. I prefer to use fresh strawberries, but you can use frozen as well. If you opt for frozen, be sure to thaw them completely and drain the excess liquid. I like to do this in a colander in the sink so that any liquids run out.
- Butter. I use regular butter, but you can make this apple strawberry crisp vegan by swapping it for your favorite vegan butter or coconut oil. Be sure not to melt the butter, just soften it.
- Lemon Juice. I prefer to use fresh lemon juice, but if you do not have it available you may use bottled lemon juice.
- Almond Flour. I love using almond flour, but if you are allergic to almond, you can sub this out for coconut flour. You can also use ½ cup of oats and ½ cup of gluten free 1-for-1 flour, though it will no longer be paleo friendly.
- Coconut Sugar. I love using coconut sugar in recipes rather than brown sugar. You can substitute the coconut sugar for maple syrup instead.
- Tapioca Flour. Tapioca flour is the paleo version of cornstarch and is used to thicken the filling.
- Vanilla Extract. Optional, but highly recommended to make this crisp as delicious as possible!
- Cinnamon & Cardamom. Again, optional but both of these warming spices make the flavors of the apples + strawberries taste just that much better, and help to balance out the sweetness too.
Apple Strawberry Crisp Step by Step Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 375F and grease a 9" pie dish with a little bit of butter or oil. Chop apples and slice strawberries.
2. Prepare fruit. In a large mixing bowl, combine apples and strawberries.
3. Mix crisp filling. Mix the remaining filling ingredients to the bowl, mixing gently to combine.
4. Pour filling. Pour crisp filling into the greased 9" pie dish. Save the bowl for the next step!
5. Prepare the crumble topping. In the same mixing bowl, add almond flour, coconut sugar and softened butter. Using your hands, gently massage butter into dry ingredients until texture is crumbly.
6. Add crumble. Add the crumble topping to the filling in the pie pan and evenly distribute across to completely cover the crisp filling.
7. Bake. Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes or until crumble topping is slightly browned.
Pro Apple Crisp Tips & Tricks
- Top it. Top it with homemade vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, or homemade whipped cream. You can also drizzle balsamic vinegar over top for a sweet and savory twist.
- Make Ahead. If you would like to make this gluten free crisp recipe ahead, follow the below tips to ensure it comes out as deliciously as if you made it the same day:
- Prepare filling ingredients and topping ingredients separately. Omit the butter from the crumble topping until you are ready to bake.
- Store them in airtight containers, the filling in the fridge and the topping at room temperature.
- When you are ready to bake, simply add the filling to a baking dish, add softened butter to the crumble topping + top and bake according to the recipe instructions.
Strawberry Apple Crisp FAQs
Is this dessert vegan friendly?
It isn't vegan naturally BUT you can swap out the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil in this apple strawberry crisp in order to make it vegan.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. If you choose to do so, be sure to allow it to thaw and drain completely before using it. I like to do this in a colander in the sink so any of the liquid runs down the drain for easy clean up.
Can I prepare this apple strawberry crisp ahead of time?
If you would like to make this gluten free crisp recipe ahead, follow the below tips to ensure it comes out as deliciously as if you made it the same day:
- Prepare filling ingredients and topping ingredients separately. Omit the butter from the crumble topping until you are ready to bake.
- Store them in airtight containers, the filling in the fridge and the topping at room temperature.
- When you are ready to bake, simply add the filling to a baking dish, add softened butter to the crumble topping + top and bake according to the recipe instructions.
If You Liked This Gluten Free Apple Crisp Dessert, You Might Also Enjoy
- Gluten Free Blueberry Crisp
- Gluten Free Caramel Apple Crisp
- Dairy Free Protein Apple Pie Ice Cream Ninja Creami
- Gluten Free Pie Crust with an Apple Chai Filling Recipe
- Gluten Free Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a rating and review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!
Apple Strawberry Crisp (Gluten Free, Paleo)
Equipment
- 1 9" baking dish
- 1 chef knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 2 medium apples sliced
- 3 cups strawberries sliced
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice fresh squeeze if possible
- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamom optional
- ¼ cup coconut sugar or light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crumble Topping
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut sugar or light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoon butter softened; can also use vegan butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 375F and grease a 9" pie dish with a little bit of butter or oil.
- Prepare fruit. Chop apples and slice strawberries into similar thicknesses. In a large mixing bowl, combine apples and strawberries.
- Mix crisp filling. Mix the remaining filling ingredients (lemon juice, tapioca starch, spices coconut sugar, and vanilla) mixing gently to combine, ensuring each of the fruits are fully coated with the sugar and spice mixture.
- Pour filling. Pour crisp filling into the greased 9" pie dish. Save the bowl for the next step!
- Prepare the crumble topping. In the same mixing bowl, an the same medium mixing bowl, add almond flour, coconut sugar and cinnamon, mixing gently to combine. Using your hands, gently massage softened butter into dry ingredients until texture is crumbly.
- Add crumble. Add the crumble topping to the filling in the pie pan and evenly distribute across to completely cover the crisp filling.
- Bake. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until crumble topping is slightly browned.
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