Vegan Apple Crisp with fresh-sliced apples coated in cinnamon-brown sugar, then topped with a crumbly, buttery streusel and baked until bubbling for a warm, cozy, old-fashioned caramel apple dessert.
Easy Fall Dessert
This cozy baked apple crisp is what fall baking is all about – simple, comforting, and full of flavor. The apples turn soft and caramelized as they bake, while that oat streusel on top gets perfectly golden and crisp. Every bite has that sweet-tart balance that makes it hard to stop at one serving.
It’s a no-fuss dessert that works just as well for Game Day potlucks as it does on your Thanksgiving dessert table. You’ll love how easy it is to make with basic pantry ingredients, and since it’s dairy-free and egg-free, everyone can dig in.
Vegan Apple Crisp is simple to make and perfect for fall. You’re going to want to serve this crowd-pleasing dessert all season long!
Ingredients for Vegan Apple Crisp
Here’s what you’ll need. Exact amounts are listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Apples – Use crisp, tart Granny Smith apples for the best flavor balance. Peel, core, and thinly slice them so they bake evenly and hold their shape under the topping.
- Butter – A good-quality vegan butter keeps both the filling and the streusel rich and flavorful. Soften it slightly before mixing to make blending easier.
- Flour – All-purpose flour is used in both the filling and the topping. It helps the apple mixture thicken and gives the streusel structure.
- Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats add a hearty, chewy texture to the topping and give it that classic bakery-style crumble.
- Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar adds gentle sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with cinnamon and apples.
- Cinnamon and Kosher Salt – Ground cinnamon adds warmth, while a small pinch of salt sharpens the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Baking Powder – A slight lift in the streusel helps create a slightly crisp texture on top.
- Lemon Juice – Adds a touch of brightness and helps bind the filling ingredients.
- Plant Milk – Oat milk or unsweetened almond milk keeps the filling smooth and creamy without overpowering the apple flavor.
- Vanilla – Vanilla bean paste adds a rich, aromatic depth—use extract if that’s what you have on hand.
How to Make Vegan Apple Crisp
STEP ONE: Prep.
Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. Set it aside while you prepare the topping and filling.
STEP TWO: Make the Streusel Topping.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the softened vegan butter and mix with a pastry blender, fork, or your hands until the mixture is crumbly and well combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill while you make the filling.
STEP THREE: Prepare the Filling.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the vegan butter and flour until smooth. Add the lemon juice, oat milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until blended, then add the sliced apples and toss to coat completely.
STEP FOUR: Assemble.
Spread the apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping evenly over the apples.
STEP FIVE: Bake.
Transfer the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
STEP SIX: Cool and Serve.
Let the crisp cool for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. Serve warm as-is or with a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce.
What Type of Apples Work Best?
- Granny Smith apples are ideal for this recipe. Their firm texture holds up beautifully during baking, and their natural tartness balances the sweetness of the streusel topping.
How to Slice Apples for Apple Crisp
- For the best texture, the apple slices should be thin and uniform so they bake evenly and turn tender without becoming mushy. The easiest way to get consistent slices is with a mandoline slicer. Set it to about ⅛-inch thickness and run each peeled, cored apple across the blade.
- If you don’t have a mandoline, a sharp chef’s knife works too – just try to keep the slices about the same size. Uniform thickness helps all the apples cook at the same rate.
Do I Have to Peel the Apples?
- It’s optional, but peeling gives a smoother texture. The skins can add a bit of chewiness, so for a classic crisp that’s tender all the way through, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes with a peeler.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
- Yes. Assemble the apple filling and topping separately, then refrigerate both until you’re ready to bake. Combine them right before baking so the topping stays crisp.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love!
- Stovetop Applesauce
- Cranberry Apple Crisp
- Slow Cooker Apple Cider
- Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
- Apple Walnut Bars
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Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredients for Apple Crisp:
- For the streusel topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup vegan butter
For the filling:
- 4 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter softened
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons oat milk or unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. Set it aside while you prepare the topping and filling.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the softened vegan butter and mix with a pastry blender, fork, or your hands until the mixture is crumbly and well combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill while you make the filling.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the vegan butter and flour until smooth. Add the lemon juice, oat milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until blended, then add the sliced apples and toss to coat completely.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping evenly over the apples.
- Transfer the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the crisp cool for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. Serve warm as-is or with a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce.
Nutrition
This post was updated on October 18, 2025.
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