Easy Vegan Old Fashioned Apple Crisp 🍎 A simply sweet & 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!
As soon as the outdoor temperatures start to cool down, I get into baking mode. With the coming of fall, it always seems that one of the first recipes I like to prepare is this one - my Easy Vegan Old Fashioned Apple Crisp.
What it is about cold weather that puts us in the mood to bake? Maybe it's the idea of a hot oven heating the kitchen or more likely, a latent primitive instinct to consume extra calories in order to survive through the winter months. I know . . . that's a stretch, but the wonderful aroma of pumpkin bread or applesauce cake is just so cozy and comforting. Whatever it is, the idea of creating an apple crisp sounds like a perfectly appropriate and wonderful thing to do tonight. I'll think about working off those calories tomorrow.
Table of Contents
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'.
Why you will love this recipe
- Only a few basic ingredients
- No dairy or eggs
- Your kitchen will smell amazing while it's baking!
- It's so scrumptious
- Easy to make
🍎 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
- Brown sugar - vegan
- Flour - all purpose
- Oatmeal - old fashioned
- Cinnamon - ground
- Nutmeg - ground
- Vegan butter - your choice (I like Miyoko's)
- 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
🥕 See the printable recipe card below for complete details
Instructions
- Gather ingredients. Peel & dice apples.
- Place apples & cranberries in buttered baking dish. Add orange juice.
- Combine butter, flour, oats and spices into a crumbly mixture.
- Sprinkle crumble over apples. Bake at 350º for 40 minutes.
- Place on a rack and allow to sit for 10- 15 minutes before serving.
- That's it! So easy!
🍏 Serving Suggestions
Spoon apple crisp into individual ramekins or bowls. Serve with a scoop of luscious vegan vanilla ice cream or a dollop of a non-dairy plant-based whipped cream. Oh my!
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.
FAQ's
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
You can prepare and bake this recipe several hours ahead of time and reheat it at 350 º for about 15 minutes before serving. Individual portions can also be heated in the microwave - just set the timer for 10 seconds, repeat if necessary.
How to store leftover apple crisp?
Cover the apple crisp in the baking dish with food-safe plastic wrap or foil, or place in an air-tight container and keep refrigerated up to 3 days.
What is the difference between an Apple Betty and an Apple Crisp?
Apple Betty aka Apple Brown Betty, has a streusel topping, like a French or Dutch apple pie and, like an apple crisp, has no bottom crust.
What is the difference between Apple Crisp, Crumble and Cobbler?
Crumbles, crisps and cobblers are fruit based desserts baked with a topping but no bottom crust. Crisps usually include rolled oats. Cobblers have a biscuit topping. Crumble toppings are made with flour, sugar and butter, like this Easy Vegan Berry Crumble.
If you love fruit-centric desserts, check out these tempting recipes!
- Easy Vegan Berry Crumble
- World's Best Vegan Lemon Meringue Pie
- Best Vegan Strawberry Shortcake
- Easy Vegan Apple Pie
- Vegan Pumpkin Pie
If you love this recipe ★★★★★ please be sure to rate it below! Sharing your experience lets me know that you enjoyed it and will help other readers decide if they should give the recipe a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕
Recipe
Easy Vegan Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
Equipment
- Medium size mixing bowl
- Knife
Ingredients
- 6 apples peeled, cored, & sliced
- ½ C brown sugar vegan
- ½ C flour all purpose, unbleached
- ½ C oatmeal old-fashioned
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground is best
- ¼ C vegan butter
- ½ C orange juice
- ¼ C cranberries fresh or dried
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º
- Butter the bottom of an 8"x 8" square or 9"-10" round baking dish.
- Arrange apples in bottom of dish, filling evenly.
- Sprinkle cranberries over apples, evenly distributing them throughout.
- Drizzle orange juice over all.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add oats.
- Using a pastry cutter or large fork, work the butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly.
- Spoon crumble mixture over apples, covering evenly.
- Bake (uncovered) at 350º for approximately 40 minutes, until apples are bubbling and the top is golden-brown.
- Remove from oven and cool on rack for 10 - 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vegan ice cream or a dollop of non-dairy whipped topping. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Stephanie
Lovely easy recipe. Didn't have orange juice so used coconut water. Also quick cooking oats. Will tell you later if it was a success for my finicky better half.
Connie Edwards McGaughy
Hi Stephanie! I'm so intrigued . . . can't wait to hear how your crisp turned out! I bet it smelled wonderful while baking. Thanks a bunch for giving it a try!🥕