Easy Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe

Apples: The main fruit in this dish, peeled and sliced to create a sweet and tender base.

Rolled oats: Adds a chewy texture and helps make the topping crispy.

All-purpose flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together.

Brown sugar: Gives sweetness and a slight caramel flavor.

Cinnamon: Adds warm spice that pairs perfectly with apples.

Vegan butter: Melted to mix into the topping, giving it a rich, buttery taste without dairy.

One of the most important steps in this Easy Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe is mixing the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted vegan butter until the topping becomes crumbly. Here’s how to get that just right:

1. Start by putting all your dry ingredients—the rolled oats, flour, and brown sugar—in a bowl.
2. Pour in the melted vegan butter slowly.
3. Use your fingers or a fork to gently mix everything together. You want to break up the butter and coat the dry ingredients, but don’t squish it all into a paste. The goal is to have little clumps that look like crumbs.
4. If it feels too dry, add a tiny bit more melted vegan butter; if it’s too wet, sprinkle in a little more flour or oats.

Doing this right makes the topping bake into a crunchy, golden crust that’s full of texture and flavor. If you mix too much or press too hard, the topping can turn dense and heavy instead of light and crumbly. That crumbly texture is what makes the crisp so fun to eat!

When I first made this, I didn’t melt the vegan butter enough and ended up with big greasy clumps that didn’t spread well. After that, I made sure to melt it completely and let it cool just a bit before mixing. It’s a small step that really helps everything come together smoothly.

Plus, using your fingers to mix is kind of fun—it feels like you’re making little edible sandcastles! Just remember to wash your hands before and after. This simple trick makes the topping perfect every time and gives your apple crisp that cozy, homemade touch.

• apples - Substitute with pears: Pears have a similar texture and sweetness when baked, making them a great alternative.

• rolled oats - Substitute with quinoa flakes: Quinoa flakes provide a similar texture and are also gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour adds a nutty flavor and is gluten-free, making it suitable for those avoiding gluten.

• brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and a similar caramel-like flavor.

• cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other warm spices, adding a more complex flavor.

• vegan butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar fat content and moisture, making it a good vegan alternative.

• Allow the apple crisp to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the topping soggy.

• Transfer the apple crisp to an airtight container. If you don't have a container large enough, you can cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

• Store the apple crisp in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool temperature helps maintain the texture and flavor of the apples and the crispy topping.

• For longer storage, consider freezing the apple crisp. First, ensure it is completely cooled. Then, wrap the entire baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

• If you prefer, you can also portion the apple crisp into individual servings before freezing. Place each portion in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.

• Label the containers with the date so you can keep track of how long they’ve been stored. The apple crisp can be frozen for up to 3 months.

• When you're ready to enjoy the frozen apple crisp, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the apples and the topping.

• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the thawed apple crisp in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is crispy again.

• For a quicker option, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a serving on a microwave-safe plate and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overheating.

• If you find the topping has lost some of its crispiness after storage, you can place it under the broiler for a few minutes to restore its crunch. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover apple crisp in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from burning. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

• For a quicker option, use a microwave. Place a portion of the apple crisp in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover it loosely with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it heats evenly.

• If you prefer a crispy topping, use a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the apple crisp in an oven-safe dish and heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is warm.

• For a stovetop method, use a skillet. Place the apple crisp in a non-stick skillet over low heat. Cover the skillet with a lid and heat for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating without burning the bottom.

• Oven: Used to bake the apple crisp at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Mixing bowl: Essential for combining the sliced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, as well as mixing the oat topping.

• Peeler: Handy for peeling the apples efficiently.

• Knife: Necessary for slicing the apples evenly.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to slice the apples.

• Baking dish: Used to spread the apple mixture and oat topping for baking.

• Measuring cups: Important for accurately measuring the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and vegan butter.

• Measuring spoons: Needed to measure the cinnamon and any additional small quantities of ingredients.

• Spatula: Useful for spreading the oat mixture evenly over the apples.

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

Pre-slice the apples: Slice the apples in advance and store them in the fridge to save time on prep day.

Use a food processor: Quickly mix the oat mixture using a food processor instead of doing it by hand.

Melt butter in microwave: Melt the vegan butter in the microwave for faster preparation.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process.

Line baking dish: Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.