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30 Minutes or Less

Healthy Gluten Free Apple Crisp

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gluten free apple crisp in a baking dish with a spoon and two scoops of ice cream on top.

I’ve been making a variation of this healthy gluten-free apple crisp for the last 6+ years! But it wasn’t until this year that I finally decided to sit down, perfect it, and write out each ingredient.

It’s just one of those staple recipes I come back to every fall/holiday season. It’s that perfect end-of-day treat, best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream… and maybe even a healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte on the side?? Yup, now we’re talkin’! So head to your local orchard, pick alllll the apples, then run home and bake up this cozy apple crisp.

overhead image of healthy gluten free apple crisp in a baking dish

What Makes This the BEST Gluten-Free Apple Crisp?

  • Quick and Easy: No complicated steps, just mix, sprinkle, and bake!
  • Wholesome Ingredients: Made with healthier alternatives like coconut sugar and almond flour.
  • Perfect Texture: Gooey apples with a crisp, buttery oat topping. YUM!
  • Adaptable for Dietary Needs: Can easily be made vegan and nut-free without sacrificing flavor.
  • Delicious Fall Flavor: The combination of tart apples, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon gives this dessert a warm and comforting taste.

What You’ll Need to Make This Recipe

Apples: Granny Smith apples are recommended because they hold their shape well and provide a nice tartness that balances the sweetness of the topping. Other firm apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Fuji are also great options.

Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness without overpowering the dish. Coconut sugar is less refined and has a subtle caramel flavor.

Corn Starch: Helps thicken the apple juices as they bake, preventing the filling from becoming watery.

Lemon Juice (Optional): Brightens the apple filling and enhances the flavors. It also prevents the apples from browning too much before baking.

Cinnamon: Essential for that classic fall flavor. It adds warmth and depth to both the filling and the topping!

Rolled Oats: Provides a crisp, crumbly texture to the topping. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if necessary.

Almond Flour: A great gluten-free alternative to regular flour, adding a subtle nutty flavor and additional texture to the topping.

Butter (Non-Dairy Optional): Adds richness and helps create a crispy topping. Non-dairy butter works perfectly if making this vegan. I used Miyoko’s non-dairy butter and it works great in this recipe!

Gluten-Free-Apple-Crisp-Step-1
Gluten-Free-Apple-Crisp-Step-2
Gluten-Free-Apple-Crisp-Step-3

Top 5 Apples For Baking

  1. Granny Smith: Tart and firm, making them perfect for baking as they hold their shape.
  2. Honeycrisp: Sweet, juicy, and crisp, adding great flavor and texture.
  3. Pink Lady: Sweet with a nice tartness, they retain their shape well when baked.
  4. Braeburn: Well-balanced between sweet and tart, perfect for crisps and pies.
  5. Fuji: Sweet and firm, they add a great depth of flavor to any baked dessert.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Nut-Free: Replace almond flour with oat flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the recipe nut-free.
  • Vegan Option: Use non-dairy butter to keep it fully vegan.
gluten free apple crisp on a plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Can I Make Other Gluten-Free Fruit Crisps?

Absolutely! This versatile crisp recipe can be adapted with various fruits:

Cherry Crisp: Use fresh or frozen cherries in place of apples. Reduce the coconut sugar slightly to account for the cherries’ sweetness.

Pear and Cranberry Crisp: Replace apples with sliced pears and add 1 cup of fresh cranberries for a tart twist.

Peach Blueberry Crisp: Substitute peaches and blueberries, but reduce the sweetener slightly as these fruits can be naturally sweeter.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for Any Occasion This gluten-free apple crisp is not just another dessert; it’s a comforting, warm, and healthier treat that everyone can enjoy. Whether you’re accommodating dietary restrictions or just looking for a delicious fall dessert, this crisp checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s easy to adjust, making it the ideal recipe for any gathering.

Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
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Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

5 from 2 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Total time

35

minutes

This healthy gluten-free apple crisp is the easiest and best fruit crisp you’ll ever make. It’s perfectly sweet with a crumbly oat topping, and ready in no time! This recipe is not only gluten-free but can be adapted to be dairy-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free.

Ingredients

  • For the apples:

  • 5-6 apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thin)

  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar, or brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon corn starch

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • For the crisp:

  • 1 cup rolled oats

  • 3/4 cup almond flour

  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar, or brown sugar

  • 6 ounces butter, cut into 1-inch cubes (I used non-dairy butter)

  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • Add all apple ingredients to a 9-inch baking dish and toss together until evenly coated, then spread apples into an even layer around the dish.
  • Add all crisp ingredients to a large bowl. Use a fork to mix together, until a crumbly mixture forms. Sprinkle crisp topping evenly over the apples.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until apples are soft, then let cool slightly before serving.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Maple Candied Pecans

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maple candied pecans tipped out of a jar

Just 3 ingredients to make these maple candied pecans! Perfectly sweet, crunchy, and totally delicious. Cooked on the stovetop in under 20 minutes!

maple candied pecans in a jar

What You’ll Need to Make Maple Candied Pecans

Pecans – Start with raw and unsalted pecans for this recipe. The cooking and flavoring of the pecans happens throughout this recipe, so it’s best to start with a blank canvas! Also, be sure to use whole pecan halves, not pecan pieces.

Maple Syrup – Just half a cup of maple syrup to sweeten these maple candied pecans! I love this unrefined sugar alternative, it’s healthier and tastes just as good. As the pecans cook, the maple syrup will begin to crystalize and coat the pecans, just like sugar would.

Salt – A pinch of salt to help round out those flavors! Salt seems like a counteractive addition to this recipe, but trust me, it brings it all together. And believe it or not, salt actually brings out the sweetness in this candy recipe!

maple candied pecans on a baking sheet

Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid cooking these maple candied pecans at a high temperature. High heat will quickly cause the maple syrup to burn, which could ruin your recipe. Therefore, maintain a simmer, and continue stirring the pecans every few minutes to avoid burning.
  • Have fun with this recipe! Throw in a pinch of cinnamon, or a dash of vanilla extract while the pecans cook. Or, for an extra festive addition, serve them with a handful of festive candies or sprinkles!
  • Maple candied pecans are best stored at room temperature, in an airtight container for up to one week. You can even store them in the fridge for up to one month, or the freezer for up to three months!
overhead image of maple candied pecans on a baking sheet.

This Recipe Is…

Maple Candied Pecans
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Maple Candied Pecans

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Dessert, Snacks, SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

cups
Prep time

0

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw pecan halves

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

  • Small pinch of salt

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a large pan over medium heat. Stir and bring the maple syrup to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low.
  • Continue cooking on low for 20 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. After 20 minutes, the maple syrup should begin to crystalize and look like sugar coating the pecans.
  • Once syrup has crystalized, pour the pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread pecans into an even layer, then let cool completely before eating or storing.

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Desserts

Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

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overhead image of peach crisp in a pie dish with ice cream on top and milk on the side.

A delicious peach crisp loaded with fresh fruit, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.

peach crisp in a pie dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

What You’ll Need To Make Peach Crisp

Peaches – Use fresh, not frozen peaches for this easy crisp recipe! Slice each peach in half, remove the pit, then slice them into 1/4-inch pieces. Either leave the skin on or peel them before slicing, it’s up to you!

Corn Starch – Corn starch, arrowroot starch, or tapioca starch will all work in the filling of this recipe. A tablespoon of either thickening agent will help the filling stick together.

Rolled Oats – Any type of rolled oats will work! The only oats you should avoid are steel-cut and/or Irish oats. Or, for a paleo version of this recipe, replace the oats with extra almond flour and chopped nuts!

peach crisp in a bowl with vanilla ice cream on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • Let the peach crisp cool for 5-10 minutes before serving! This’ll give the filling enough time to set, and prevent those peach juice from running out when served. Also, don’t forget to serve it with a big ole’ scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – it’s simply the BEST!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Paleo: For a paleo fruit crisp, use arrowroot starch instead of corn starch in the filling, and replace the rolled oats with an extra 1/4 cup almond flour plus 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Make it Gluten-Free: This recipe is already gluten-free! However, to ensure no traces of gluten in your peach crisp, be sure to use a gluten-free certified corn starch as well as gluten-free certified rolled oats.

Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)
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Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Total time

35

minutes

A delicious fruit crisp loaded with fresh peaches, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.

Ingredients

  • For the filling:

  • 4-5 peaches, pitted, pitted, cut into 1/4-inch slices

  • 1 tablespoon corn starch

  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • small pinch cinnamon

  • For the crumb topping:

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup almond flour

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

  • pinch of salt

  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, solid

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • Add all filling ingredients to a bowl and toss to coat peaches, then transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish.
  • Add all crisp ingredient to a bowl and mix together until combined.
  • Sprinkle topping over filling and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Maple Dijon Salmon Salad

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overhead image of maple dijon salmon salad in a bowl.

Buttery, flaky salmon atop a simply dressed maple dijon salad! This quick and easy recipe yields perfectly seasoned, and cooked salmon every time. A complete meal, loaded with fresh veggies, then finished off with a tangy maple dijon dressing, ready in under 20 minutes!

close-up overhead image of maple dijon salmon salad on a plate with a fork

What You’ll Need To Make This Maple Dijon Salmon Salad

Dijon Mustard – We do NOT use this ingredient sparingly in our maple dijon dressing! An entire 1/4 cup gives this entire meal tons of tangy, delicious flavor. In case you’re not familiar with this French ingredient, dijon mustard is creamier, spicier, and has less vinegar than yellow mustard. It’s a favorite in my home, for everything from sandwiches to salad dressings. It’s among one of the healthiest condiments you can use, with no added-sugar or preservatives!

Maple Syrup – A touch of maple syrup is necessary to balance out the intensely savory flavors in this salmon salad recipe. And if you don’t have any maple syrup on-hand, you can use an equal amount of honey instead.

Salmon Fillets – Feel free to use any variety of salmon fillets you’d like! Sockeye salmon and atlantic salmon are the two most common types, and are only slightly different from each other. Sockeye salmon is a bit more lean, and has a stronger fish flavor, while atlantic salmon is fattier, with a more mild flavor. I personally love atlantic salmon for it’s ultra-soft, buttery, and flaky qualities. Though again, you can use any type of salmon fillets you’d like for this lunch or dinner recipe!

Green Apple – I know, not all of us are fans of fruit in our salads. However, green apple is much more tart than sweet in this salmon salad. Also, remember we have a bit of sweetness in our dressing – so the little bit of natural sweetness from a thinly sliced green apple works to compliment that. If you don’t have any green apples, you can easily leave them out or use a red apple in its place.

Pecans or Walnuts – I have just one rule when it comes to salads, they all must include a crunchy component. A little bit of crunch goes a long way in rounding out the textures in this dish. Roughly chopped pecans and/or walnuts are a healthy alternative to standard croutons. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and plenty of healthy fats!

maple dijon dressing being poured over salmon salad.

Tips and Tricks

  • Feel free to add or remove any salad ingredients you’d like! Not a fan of nuts? Simple leave them out. Prefer a certain type of lettuce? Then definitely use it! This super simple salad recipe is incredibly easy to customize.
  • For anyone who cooks meat or fish regularly, I highly recommend investing in a kitchen thermometer. This is the thermometer I use on pretty much a daily basis. It’s the easiest way to ensure perfectly cooked salmon every time!
  • This salmon salad can be enjoyed hot or cold! Salmon’s one of those things that tastes delicious at just about any temperature. I often double this recipe for easy grab-and-go lunches all week long – no need to reheat!
Maple dijon salmon salad on a serving platter.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Sugar-Free: For an entirely sugar-free recipe, use Lankanto Maple Flavored Syrup in place of the maple syrup.

Make it Nut-Free: Simply replace the nuts with sunflower seeds to make this a nut-free lunch or dinner recipe.

Maple Dijon Salmon Salad

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

12

minutes
Total time

17

minutes

Buttery, flaky salmon atop a simply dressed maple dijon salad! This quick and easy recipe yields perfectly seasoned, and cooked salmon every time. A complete meal, loaded with fresh veggies, then finished off with a tangy maple dijon dressing, ready in under 20 minutes!

Ingredients

  • For the dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup

  • juice from 1 lemon, see Notes

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • For the salmon:

  • 4 salmon fillets, boneless

  • salt and black pepper, to taste

  • For the salad:

  • 4 cups lettuce, see Notes

  • 1 cucumber, sliced

  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 green apple, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
  • Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet and pat dry with a paper towel. Season filets with salt and black pepper, then drizzle half the maple Dijon dressing evenly over top of the salmon.
  • Bake salmon for 10-12 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into thickest end of the salmon read 125° Fahrenheit.
  • While salmon cooks, place all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine. Once salmon is done, divide salad between four plates, top each plate with a salmon filet and serve with remaining dressing.

Notes

  • Lemon Juice: If you don’t have any fresh lemons, you can use 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of the lemon juice in this recipe.
  • Lettuce: Use any type of lettuce you like, I used mesclun!

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30 Minutes or Less

How to Make a Vegan Charcuterie Board

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overhead image of the entire vegan charcuterie board with white wine, utensils, and bread on the side

A flawless vegan charcuterie board, perfect for any occasion! An assortment of fresh fruits, veggies, crackers, bread, and vegan cheeses create the perfect spread. Have fun with this vegan charcuterie board, feel free to switch things up and make it your own!

half a vegan charcuterie board with glasses of white wine on the side

What You’ll Need

  • Hummus – Either homemade or store bought hummus will work on your charcuterie board! As much as I love a homemade hummus, I usually prefer to save myself a bit of time by buying pre-packaged hummus from the store. Whole Foods make a delicious hummus, as does Trader Joe’s and Hope Hummus!

  • Crackers – Any and all crackers are welcome on this snack board! I typically use gluten-free crackers to keep my spread gluten-free friendly. Though feel free to use whatever crackers you like best.

  • Nuts – Nuts are always an exciting, crunchy addition! You can get fancy here and purchase marcona almonds or flavored nuts for your board. Though I kept things simple with raw walnuts and pecans. I love using nuts on any charcuterie board, as they’re the perfect item to fill any empty space. Nuts are especially amazing on this vegan charcuterie board thanks to their high protein content and nutritional value, keeping things hearty yet healthy!

  • Vegan Cheese – This is a totally optional addition, but I have a few vegan cheese brands I love featuring on my charcuterie board! I’m pretty picky when it comes to non-dairy cheese though, and avoid any that taste too fake and/or are overly processed. Spero Foods make some of my all-time favorite vegan soft cheeses. Their herb cream cheese and goat cheese are perfect for this recipe! They’re all deliciously tangy, smooth, and incredible on crackers or toast. Though my runner-ups for this charcuterie board are Kite Hill vegan cheeses, and a handful of Myoko vegan cheese flavors.

How to Make a Vegan Charcuterie Board

  1. Begin every charcuterie board by prepping the ingredients you’ll be placing on your board. This includes washing fresh fruit, cutting bread, slicing cheese, etc. Once prepped, you’ll be able to see every element of your board and decide in which order you’d like to place them.


  2. Pick a large board or surface to lay everything on, then place small bowls around the board. These bowls don’t have to be in any particular pattern or order, so simply evenly space them around your board.


  3. Fill those small bowl with things like hummus, soft cheese, dips, olives, or really anything that would make a mess if placed directly on your board/surface.


  4. Now that your bowls are all filled, go in with remaining larger items such as crackers, sliced bread, and fruit – working with one ingredient at a time.


  5. Once the vegan charcuterie board looks mostly complete, then fill in any gaps with your small items (in this case, I used nuts). Continue doing this until your board is fully loaded and ready to be served!

Optional Add-Ons

There really is no wrong way to jazz up a charcuterie board, so any of the following would make delicious additions to your vegan board:

  • Pickles
  • Strawberries
  • Chocolate Squares
  • Dried Fruit
  • Jelly/Jam
  • Mustard
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Apple Slices
  • Carrots
Vegan Charcuterie Board
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Vegan Charcuterie Board

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

A flawless vegan charcuterie board, perfect for any occasion! An assortment of fresh fruits, veggies, crackers, bread, and vegan cheeses create the perfect spread. Have fun with this vegan charcuterie board, feel free to switch things up and make it your own!

Ingredients

  • cucumber, sliced

  • olives

  • hummus

  • baguette, sliced

  • grapes

  • mandarin oranges, partially peeled

  • nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts)

  • radishes, sliced

  • vegan cheese, see Notes

Directions

  • Prep all ingredients – wash fruits and veggies, slice or chop items, etc.
  • Lay down the surface you’ll be arranging your items on, then start by placing small bowls evenly throughout the surface. You’ll need about 3-4 bowls for your olives, hummus, and vegan cheese.
  • Fill the bowls, then begin arranging items on your surface, leaving smaller items like nuts for the end. Finish by filling any gaps on your charcuterie boards with nuts or any other ingredients that may fit.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Vegan Cheese: Vegan cheese brands I love are Spero Foods, Myoko, and Kite Hill!

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