Caramel Apple Crisp with Easy Caramel Sauce is a decadent and delicious gluten free dessert recipe. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream!

caramel apple crisp with easy caramel sauce and ice cream in a dish

Fall is in the air and there’s no sweeter way to celebrate then with Caramel Apple Crisp with Easy Caramel Sauce!

This easy yet impressive gluten free dessert recipe takes the Classic Apple Crisp we all know and love, and laces it with an easy homemade caramel sauce. You know what we call that?

An upgrade! 

Watch How to Make It!

Caramel Apple Crisp

I don’t know a single person who doesn’t love apple crisp. Cinnamon-spiced apples blanketed under crisp topping then baked until golden brown and bubbly are high on the list of best comfort foods of all time.

Add homemade, 4-ingredient caramel sauce and this fall-inspired dessert is going to send you into overdrive.

spoon taking a scoop of gluten free apple crisp

The inspiration for this dessert came from a recipe for Caramel Apple Bars that I made every fall when I lived in Minneapolis in my 20s.

Probably because the average temperature there is somewhere around negative 75 from October through May and I needed something warm to hunker down with. Anyway, it got filed away in a 3-ring binder and hadn’t see the light of day in nearly a decade when I recently unearthed it from a dark cupboard.

homemade caramel sauce overflowing out of a bowl

I attempted to make it with all gluten free ingredients and it was complete miss. This recipe however, is a total win. Pencil it into your fall, gluten free dessert plans ASAP!

spoon taking a scoop of dish of apple crisp

Step 1: Make the Homemade Caramel Sauce

In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat add 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup half & half, 4 Tablespoons butter, and a dash of salt.

butter and milk in sauce pan

Cook the sauce while stirring gently until thickened, 10-12 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract. Set the caramel sauce aside to cool slightly.

Feel free to make the caramel sauce up to 5 days ahead of time. Store it in the refrigerator then warm in the microwave for 30 seconds or so before using.

caramel sauce in pan

Step 2: Make the Crisp Topping

To a large mixing bowl add 3/4 cup certified gluten-free old fashioned oats, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup gluten-free flour baking blend, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, and 6 Tablespoons butter then use your fingertips to combine and set aside.

crisp toppings in bowl

crisp toppings mixed in bowl

Step 3: Make the Apple Filling

Peel and slice 4 Granny Smith Apples then toss with 1 Tablespoon gluten-free flour baking blend and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large mixing bowl until coated.

You can use whatever apples you have on hand, but I like tart Granny Smith Apples for baking because they cut the sweetness of the caramel sauce, and always hold up well in the oven.

caramel sauce being poured over apple slices in baking dish

Transfer the apples to a nonstick-sprayed baking dish then drizzle 1/2 the Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce on top (about 1/2 cup.)

apples with caramel sauce in baking dish

Step 4: Bake

Sprinkle the crisp topping on top then bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the caramel sauce is bubbly.

  • Tip: If the crisp topping starts to brown too early, gently place a sheet of foil on top and keep baking — no need to crimp it or anything.

overhead of apple crisp in baking dish

Let the crisp cool for 20 minutes to an hour then scoop into dishes, drizzle the reserved caramel sauce on top, and devour.

Since the caramel sauce is sweet, I backed off on the sugar in the crisp topping, so this dessert isn’t tooth-achingly sweet. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a DESSERT, but the crunchy, roasty nuts and oats really balance out all the flavors.

If you went to the apple orchard recently, or have plans to go this weekend, be certain to save some of your pickings for this fabulous fall treat!

overhead of bowl of apple crisp with ice cream on top

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Caramel Apple Crisp with Easy Caramel Sauce

5 from 11 votes

by Kristin Porter

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Caramel Apple Crisp with Easy Caramel Sauce is a decadent and delicious gluten free dessert recipe. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream!

Ingredients

  • 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled then thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup gluten free baking flour blend WITH binder, divided
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup certified gluten free old fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • dash of salt
  • 6 Tablespoons butter, cut into pats

For the Easy Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • dash of salt
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla

Directions 

For the Easy Caramel Sauce:

  • Combine all ingredients except vanilla in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir slowly until caramel has thickened, 10-12 minutes. Remove pan from heat then stir in vanilla and let cool slightly. Can be made up to 5 days ahead of time. Warm for 30 seconds in the microwave before using.

For the Apple Crisp:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees then spray a medium-sized baking dish (like 8x8" or 10x7") with nonstick spray. Add apple slices to a large bowl then toss with cinnamon and 1 Tablespoon flour until well coated. Transfer to prepared baking dish then drizzle 1/2 cup prepared Easy Caramel Sauce on top.
  • Combine oats, brown sugar, chopped pecans, remaining 1/4 cup flour, salt, and butter in the bowl then use your fingertips to combine mixture until crumbly. Top caramel apples with crisp then bake for 30-40 minutes or until apples are tender and caramel is bubbly. NOTE: If crisp topping begins to brown before apples are tender, place a piece of foil on top (no need to crimp) then continue baking.
  • Allow Caramel Apple Crisp to cool for 20 minutes — 1 hour before scooping into bowls then topping with reserved Easy Caramel Sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 574kcal, Carbohydrates: 79g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 178mg, Potassium: 306mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 62g, Vitamin A: 726IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 95mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.

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photo collage of gluten free caramel apple crisp

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fisher. The opinions and text are all mine.

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78 Comments

  1. Amy says:

    Oh! I was searching for a gluten-free carmel apple crisp recipe and landed on your awesome blog! I want to make for Christmas! Do you think I could sub the 1/2 and 1/2 for full-fat coconut milk? I can handle grass-fed butter (like Kerry Gold) but my tummy can’t handle the milk. :(

    1. Kristin says:

      That should be fine, Amy! You might need to boil it for a bit longer is all.

  2. Kara says:

    5 stars
    I made the Carmel Apple Crisp. It was so good. I’ll definitely make it again. It was very good with the Granny Smith apples.

    1. Kristin says:

      I’m so glad you loved it, Kara! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!

  3. Patricia Garvey says:

    If I don’t need it to be gluten free, all purpose flour?

    1. Kristin says:

      You got it!

  4. Lorene Thom says:

    5 stars
    This was dinner tonight. In the caramel sauce, I replaced the vanilla with bourbon. Fantastic.

    1. Kristin says:

      Oooo, LOVE that idea, Lorene!!! Will have to give a try ASAP.

  5. Heidi says:

    Hi , yes what is half and half ??

  6. Heidi says:

    Hi I’m looking at making this tomorrow but can’t work out the extra ingredient in the caramel sauce is it cream??? It doesn’t actually say – help!!!!!

    1. Kristin says:

      Hi Heidi! I’m not sure I understand. There’s half and half in the recipe. Is that what you’re referring to? It’s in the recipe card.

  7. Jeannine says:

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh!!! This is the best Ever! I will not make any other apple crisp. Definitely a keeper!

  8. Callie says:

    This is amazing! It has become my boyfriend and my favorite sweet to make. We doubled the recipe last week to bring to a Friendsgiving and someone came in saying that this dessert was “God’s Gift to Earth”. I would have to agree.

    1. Kristin says:

      Oh my gosh, that warms my heart! I’m so glad you all love the recipe, Callie!!

  9. Ann says:

    5 stars
    Turned out great. Recipe is a keeper. Thank you

  10. Kim says:

    Question really – sounds like you are not serving this warm? So could it’s be made day before? Or is it still warm when serving?

    1. Kristin says:

      Hi Kim! I usually serve this warm. It’s ok as reheated leftovers but truly best served fresh and warm. :)

  11. Heather says:

    Do you think it would be okay to freeze this at any stage? Maybe prior to baking?

    1. Kristin says:

      Hi Heather! I’ve never frozen an apple crisp before so I can’t say for sure. I assume it would be just fine since apple pies etc are sold frozen at the grocery store!

  12. Bonnie says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this.

  13. Mrs. G says:

    5 stars
    Best Apple crisp recipe ever! The caramel sauce and the pecans in the crumble topping make this dish the best! So delicious, will be my sole apple crisp recipe got to!

    1. Kristin says:

      Ahh, so glad to hear it, Mrs. G!! Thanks for your review and recipe rating!