Gluten-Free, Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe

Ali Segersten

We really are not just about sweets here. Really, we're not! But this week it seems we are, huh. Hope some of you enjoyed the White Nectarine Ice Cream I posted last weekend. More main dish recipes to come next week I promise!

Since I will be going out of town for four days I thought it was high time for another delicious giveaway. This awesome giveaway is for 2 pounds of coconut sugar! I used coconut sugar from Essential Living Foods to make this fabulous gluten-free apple crisp.

What is Coconut Sugar?

Coconut sugar is a low glycemic granulated sweetener with a glycemic index of 35. Compare that to honey of 75, agave nectar of 30, pure maple syrup of 54, or sugar (sucrose) of 95. Coconut sugar or coconut palm sugar as it is also called is made from the dried sap of the coconut palm blossom. Sounds lovely doesn't it? But what does it taste like?

I find the taste mild with slight molasses undertones, possibly even a little like maple syrup. The flavors marry well with spices, which will be quite perfect for your autumn baking needs. Coconut sugar can be substituted 1 for 1 in baking. Use it where you would use brown sugar, Sucanat, or white sugar. I used it in my apple crisp recipe with absolutely delicious results! I have used it before in cookies and muffins and it works great. I have also used it to proof yeast with great results as well. Those with cane sugar allergies will find this sugar suitable for their needs.

Recipe from our Meal Planner

Coconut Sugar Apple Crisp

Coconut Sugar Apple Crisp Gluten-Free Vegan
Servings
6
Cook Time
40 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes

I am a big fan of just about any type of cooked apple dessert! This is a great recipe to add to a weeknight meal because of the ease of prep time involved. You also don't need to have much experience in the kitchen to make this recipe. My favorite variety of apple to use here is Granny Smith, though the Gingergold variety works great too! Coconut sugar is a low-glycemic sweetener with the benefit of having its vitamins and minerals still intact; it hasn't been refined like cane sugar.

Tip

For an Italian Plum Crisp, use 4 to 5 cups of pitted, halved plums in place of the apples or a combination of plums and apples. Toss with 3 to 4 tablespoons arrowroot, and omit lemon juice.

Ingredients

Filling

4 medium granny smith apples cored and thinly sliced (or another baking apple)
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoons arrowroot powder
1 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Topping

1½ rolled oats
½ cups superfine sweet rice flour
¾ cups coconut sugar
1 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoons sea salt
½ cups melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Place all ingredients for the filling into a 7x11-inch baking pan. Gently stir together with a large spoon. A good gauge for sufficient fruit is to fill your pan almost to the top with sliced fruit. It will cook down quite a bit. See the photo below.
  3. In a small mixing bowl stir together the oats, sweet rice flour, sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt. Add oil and vanilla and stir together with a fork. If the mixture seems too dry, add a few tablespoons of water or additional coconut oil. Using your hands, crumble the topping evenly over the filling.
  4. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the juices are bubbling up and the topping is lightly browned.

Use this recipe in our Meal Planner

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Posted In
apples autumn baked goods Coconut sugar dessert easy GF/CF giveaways xanthan-free recipes recipe
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About the Author

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 2000 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.

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