Go Back
gluten free paleo apple crisp in pie pan on the counter

Paleo Apple Crisp Recipe (GAPS, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free) Recipe

Kayla Ruetten
Warm, comforting Paleo apple crisp that’s gluten-free, sugar-free, and GAPS-friendly! An easy, healthy dessert perfect for fall and family gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

  • 9x13 pan
  • blender

Ingredients
  

  • 8-10 pcs apples (chopped)
  • 1 cup walnuts, pecans, cashews, pumpkin seeds, raisins (each pre-soaked and chopped)
  • 1/2 cup raw honey (or to taste; omit for Whole30)
  • 1/2 cup butter (melted — butter isn’t strictly Paleo, but it is GAPS-friendly. See Recipe Notes for dairy-free fat alternatives.)
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon (organic)
  • homemade ice cream (optional topping — you can find the recipe in the Recipe Notes section.)

Instructions
 

  • Chop apples and place in a 9x13 pan.
  • Mix melted butter, honey, and cinnamon together.
  • Pour 3 tablespoons of butter, honey, and cinnamon mixture over the apples and stir to coat all apples.

FOR CRISP TOPPING:

  • Add nuts, seeds and dried fruit to a blender and pulse until ground to preferred texture.
  • Mix nuts, seeds, and dried fruit with the remaining butter, honey, and cinnamon mixture.
  • Cover the apples with the crisp topping, smoothing uniformly over the apples.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until apples are soft and crisp is golden brown.

Notes

  • You can leave nuts/seeds/dried fruits whole or grind them slightly in a blender to make a more chopped or "oat-like" consistency.
  • Feel free to use any nut/seed/dried fruits you have on hand. Our favorites are walnuts, pecans, cashews, raisins, and pumpkin seeds.
  • Substitute coconut oil, grass-fed lard, or another animal fat for a dairy-free option.
  • We also enjoy substituting the apples for pears or other seasonally available fruits.
  • Homemade ice cream recipe here.
How to Soak Nuts and Seeds?
  • Pour nuts or seeds into a glass container, such as pyrex (which we use for literally everything!), leaving room for the nuts and seeds to expand. I recommend filling the container about half full.
  • Cover the nuts or seeds completely with water and a few pinches of sea salt or a squeeze of lemon. I add about 1 inch of additional water above the submerged nuts/seeds.
  • As the nuts/seeds soak up water, you may need to add more.
  • Allow the nuts/seeds to soak for 12-24 hours.
  • Strain and rinse the nuts/seeds with fresh water.
Keyword clean eating apple dessert, easy Paleo apple crisp, fall dessert recipe Paleo, GAPS diet apple dessert, gluten-free apple crisp, grain-free apple crisp, healthy apple crisp, Paleo apple crisp recipe, refined sugar-free apple crisp, sugar-free apple crisp