Easy Vegan Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Easy Vegan Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp 🍎 A simply sweet and scrumptious vegan version of a classic apple dessert-made even tastier with a splash of orange juice, a sprinkle of tart cranberries, and a crispy caramelized oat topping. Oh my, it's easier than pie!

This easy vegan apple crisp is cozy, fruity, and perfectly spiced - an old-fashioned favorite made with simple, wholesome ingredients.

As soon as the outdoor temperatures start to cool down, I get into baking mode. One of the first recipes I reach for each fall is this Easy Vegan Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp. There's just something about the warmth of baked apples, cinnamon, and oats that feels like a hug from the oven. Maybe it's that same cozy comfort I get from a slice of Vegan Applesauce Pumpkin Bread or a piece of Vegan Old-Fashioned Applesauce Cake-both family favorites that fill the house with the most irresistible aroma. Whatever the reason, baking an apple crisp always feels like the perfect way to welcome fall... and I'll think about working off those calories tomorrow.

I love making apple crisps. They're like short-cut versions of French or Dutch apple pies, but better. Whereas the European pies have simple streusel toppings and solid bottom crusts (which is a lot more work), apple crisps are all about the crisp. A basic streusel topping is made from a combination of flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Apple crisp topping is made with similar ingredients but also includes rolled oats. Hence, the 'crisp'.

🍎 How to make the easiest & best vegan apple crisp ever!

It all starts with the apples!

I love to combine a variety of apples when I make an apple crisp.  Granny Smith, Fuji, and Honeycrisp are some of my favorites. If you don't have one, I suggest getting yourself a really good veggie peeler. It can make removing the apple skins so much easier and the entire process a lot faster.

Ingredients

• Apples - two or three varieties (I like to use a combination of sweet and tart apples, such as Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples)
• Brown sugar - vegan
• Flour - all purpose
• Oatmeal - old fashioned, rough cut, or quick cook (not steel cut)
• Cinnamon - ground
• Nutmeg - ground
• Vegan butter - your choice
• Orange juice - fresh or bottled
• Cranberries - fresh or dried

🍏 Variations

One of the things I love about this easy vegan old fashioned apple crisp recipe is how simple it is to substitute or add ingredients as needed. For instance:

• Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free if needed (I like Bob's Red Mill)
• Replace brown sugar with date, coconut, or raw sugar, maple syrup or vegan honey
• Replace old fashioned oatmeal with rough-cut or quick cook
• Replace cinnamon and nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice
• Replace cranberries with dried cherries or raisins

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350℉/180℃

2. Peel & dice apples and place inside a buttered baking dish.

3. Add cranberries and combine with apples. Drizzle with orange juice.

4. Combine butter, flour, oats and spices into a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle crumble evenly over the apples and cranberries.

5. Bake at 350ºF/180℃ for 40 minutes until crumble topping is golden brown and you can see the apples are bubbling.

6. Place on a rack and allow to sit for 10- 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy while warm or cold.

I love the caramelized crispy oat topping! The addition of dried cranberries & orange juice add a fresh tart citrusy flavor. The sweetness of the apples and brown sugar are just the right balance.