Gluten-Free Apple Crumble on rustic table.

.

Grandma Betty's Legendary Gluten-Free Apple Crumble (Even I Was Surprised!)

Okay, friends, gather ‘round, because I’m about to share something truly special. You know I’ve been on this gluten-free journey for, well, what feels like forever. Some things have been easy swaps, others…let’s just say there's a reason there are still half-eaten boxes of gluten-free crackers lurking in the back of my pantry. But THIS recipe? This Gluten-Free Apple Crumble? This is a game-changer.

See, my Grandma Betty was famous for her apple crumble. I'm talking famous. Family gatherings revolved around it. It was the warm, comforting hug of a dessert that everyone looked forward to. So, when I had to go gluten-free, the thought of never having Grandma Betty's apple crumble again was genuinely depressing.

Special Offer

🕒 Limited Time

Love this recipe? Get 500+ More!

Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook Collection

📖 500+ Recipes

⚡ Instant Access

✨ Expert Guidance

$19.50 $39.00 50% OFF

Get The Bundle Now

I tried. Oh, did I try. Years of experimenting, countless bags of different gluten-free flours, and a whole lot of utter fails. I almost gave up. Then, one rainy afternoon, staring at a perfectly ripe basket of Granny Smiths, inspiration struck. And after a few tweaks and taste tests (my husband was thrilled, trust me!), I finally nailed it.

This isn’t just a good gluten-free apple crumble. This is a darn good apple crumble PERIOD. Even my notoriously picky, “gluten-free is yucky” cousin raved about it. I swear, Grandma Betty would be proud! So, let’s get baking!

Ingredients for the Apple Filling:

• 6 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6 cups)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (I prefer a blend that includes xanthan gum)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Ingredients for the Gluten-Free Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup gluten-free oat flour (or blend your own using rolled oats in a high-speed blender!)
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (certified gluten-free, of course!)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish. A [9-inch pie dish](Amazon link) is perfect for this, gives it that rustic crumble look.

2. Make the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, gluten-free flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat all the apple slices. This is crucial! You want every apple slice singing with flavor.

3. Layer the Apples: Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dot the top of the apples with the small pieces of butter. This adds a lovely richness and helps prevent the apples from drying out.

4. Prepare the Crumble Topping: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free oat flour, almond flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, and salt.

5. Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry blender (or your fingertips, if you're feeling ambitious!), cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You want little clumps of butter scattered throughout – that's what creates the amazing crumble texture. If your hands get too warm and the butter starts to melt, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes.

6. Sprinkle and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple filling.

7. Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

8. Cool and Serve: Let the apple crumble cool slightly before serving. It's delicious warm, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. I personally think [this Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Scoop](Amazon link) is the best for the job.

Tips & Tricks for the BEST Gluten-Free Apple Crumble:

• Apple Variety: While Granny Smiths are my go-to for their tartness, you can mix and match with other apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter flavor.
• Nut Allergy? If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute the almond flour with more gluten-free oat flour or even a sunflower seed flour.
• Spice it Up! For a bit of extra warmth, add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the apple filling.
• Make it Ahead: The apple filling can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just add the crumble topping right before baking.
• Freezer-Friendly: Baked apple crumble can be frozen! Cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-60 minutes, or until heated through. This [set of freezer containers](Amazon link) are perfect to store!
• Serving Suggestions: This crumble is amazing served with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce (make sure it's gluten-free!).

Recipe Card

Gluten-Free Apple Crumble

A delicious and easy gluten-free take on the classic apple crumble, perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• Apple Filling:
  • 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• Crumble Topping:
  • 1 cup gluten-free oat flour
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine apple filling ingredients. Toss to coat.
3. Pour apple mixture into the baking dish. Dot with butter.
4. In a separate bowl, combine crumble topping ingredients. Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form.
5. Sprinkle crumble topping over the apple filling.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
7. Cool slightly before serving.

Notes: Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for a delicious dessert.

So there you have it! Grandma Betty's legacy lives on, gluten-free style. I truly hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family and I do. Let me know in the comments if you try it, and share your own tips and variations! Happy baking!