The Best Gluten-Free Apple Crumble with Oat Topping

There’s something about the first properly cold weekend of the year that makes you crave the kind of dessert that feels like a hug from the inside out. Enter: gluten-free apple crumble with oat topping — the coeliac-safe bake I return to year after year. Whether it’s for a cosy Sunday dinner, a low-effort date night dessert, or a batch-baked treat to see you through the week, this one always hits.

I like mine warm with a puddle of gluten-free custard, but you can serve it with cream or ice cream. It’s easy to make, hard to mess up, and smells like autumn magic while it bakes.

Gluten-Free Apple Crumble with Oat Topping

Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Apple Crumble

Coeliac-safe — make it with certified gluten-free oats and flour (I use Dove’s Farm*)
Comforting and nostalgic — smells like your nan’s kitchen (if your nan was a bit health-conscious but still liked butter)
Quick to prep — 15 minutes of peeling, chopping, and mixing
Freezer-friendly — great for batch bakers and lazy Sundays
Customisable — can be made nut-free, dairy-free, or refined sugar-free if needed

This is the kind of recipe I make when I want something warm and grounding but don’t have the energy for anything fussy. It also never fails to impress non-gluten-free guests. Win-win.

Ingredients You’ll Need (All Gluten-Free!)

Here’s what you’ll need to make this oat-topped crumble:

🍏 Apple Filling:

5–6 Bramley or Granny Smith apples (or a mix), peeled and chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar

🥣 Crumble Topping:

100g gluten-free oats
75g Dove’s Farm GF plain flour
100g butter (or dairy-free alternative like Flora Plant)
75g coconut sugar or light brown sugar
Optional: 1 tsp cinnamon, handful of chopped nuts (pecans or almonds are lovely)

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Best Gluten-Free Apple Crumble

Preheat oven to 180°C (fan) / 200°C / 400°F.
Peel and chop apples into bite-sized chunks. Toss with lemon juice, cinnamon, and sweetener. Tip into a baking dish.
In a bowl, rub butter into flour until you get breadcrumb texture.
Stir in oats, sugar, and any extras (cinnamon, chopped nuts).
Sprinkle crumble evenly over the apples.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
Serve warm with Bird’s custard, M&S gluten-free custard, or your favourite GF ice cream.

Tips for the Perfect Crumble Topping

Use cold butter for the best crumbly texture.
Mix oats and flour evenly to avoid clumps.
Add a little more sugar on top just before baking if you like a crispier finish.
Prefer a chunkier crumble? Add a few broken-up gluten-free digestive biscuits to the mix.

Pin this: Easy Gluten-Free Apple Crumble with Crispy Oat Topping — perfect for autumn bakes!

Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips

Best served warm, but also delicious cold with Greek yoghurt the next day.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat: pop in the oven at 160°C for 10 minutes or microwave individual portions.
To freeze: assemble (uncooked), wrap well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen +10 mins.

FAQs About Gluten-Free Crumble

❓ Are oats safe for coeliacs?

Only certified gluten-free oats are safe. Regular oats can be contaminated with wheat during processing. Look for a gluten-free label like these gluten-free jumbo oats*.

❓ Can I make this nut-free?

Yes — just skip the nuts in the topping. You can also sub in sunflower seeds or add a little extra oat for crunch.

❓ Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely. Swap the butter for Flora Plant or Naturli Vegan Block, and use dairy-free custard or coconut cream to serve.

❓ Can I freeze gluten-free apple crumble?

Yes — it freezes beautifully. You can freeze it before baking or freeze leftovers. Reheat from frozen or defrost overnight in the fridge.

🛒 Affiliate Picks for the Perfect Crumble Bake

Dove’s Farm GF Plain White Flour
Glass Pie baking dish for that perfect golden crust
Apple peeler (you’ll thank me)
Bird’s Custard Powder (just use with dairy-free milk if needed)

(*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

✨ Pin This for Later

Easy Gluten-Free Apple Crumble

A simple, cosy autumn dessert that’s 100% coeliac-safe. This gluten-free apple crumble with oat topping is perfect for Sunday dinners or weeknight bakes — and it’s freezer-friendly too!

If you bake this, tag me on Instagram @helenahdiaries or share it in your Stories — I love seeing your cosy creations! For more gluten-free baking inspo, check out my Pumpkin Spice Cake or my roundup of 65+ Coeliac-Friendly UK Restaurant Chains.

And if you want all my seasonal bakes, guides, and GF finds in one place, sign up to my newsletter.

HELENAH DIARIES

Diary of a PR Girl who travels and eats a lot.