Easy Apple Crumble Tarts: Gluten Free Pie

Take a bite of our Apple Crumble Tarts! They feature a soft, flaky crust and spiced juicy apples, all topped with a crunchy buttery crumble. These gluten-free apple tarts are an easy-to-make allergy-friendly dessert anyone can enjoy.

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Welcome back to our cozy kitchen corner. Today, we're diving into a classic apple recipe reinvented for those with gluten sensitivities. As a mom of three passionate about ensuring everyone can enjoy our family favorites, I've spent years tweaking and testing to create a gluten-free apple tart that doesn't skimp on flavor or texture.

With a background in health science and a personal journey with gluten and dairy allergies, I understand the importance of food that nourishes and is delicious and flavorful. This recipe, born from a blend of necessity and love, promises to deliver on taste, comfort, and simplicity, making it a perfect dessert for busy families like ours.

This passion also inspired many of our other gluten-free recipes:

• Easy Gluten-Free Vegan Quiche Recipe
• No Bake Blueberry Pie
• Gluten & Dairy Free Chocolate Brownies
• No Bake Healthy Bliss Balls

👪Why You'll Love This Apple Pie

You'll fall in love with this gluten-free apple tart for many reasons.

1. Easy To Make: First off, it's incredibly easy to make, which is perfect when juggling a million and one thing but still wanting to put something special on the table.
2. Allergy-Friendly: Everyone can indulge without worry, made with wholesome, allergy-friendly ingredients.
3. Perfect Texture and Flavorful: Perfectly spiced with a flaky, soft, crispy texture.

🍎Ingredients

Making gluten-free apple crumble tarts requires just a few simple ingredients. Here is everything you will need:

• Gluten-Free Tart Shell: We have a very easy, fool-proof recipe for gluten-free pie shells that have been tested and refined to ensure you get a fail-proof recipe. Our recipe uses a gluten-free 1-1 flour, butter, water, cinnamon, salt, and powdered sugar. Find it here!
• Apples (Honeycrisp): I find Honeycrisp to be the best apple, but you can use whatever types of apples you have available. A good combination is to mix Honeycrisps and Granny Smiths for a sweet-tart balance.
• Brown Sugar (or coconut sugar): Sweetens the filling, adding a caramel-like depth.
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth and a classic autumnal flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: I love adding lemon juice as it helps to balance the sweetness, ensuring our filling isn't overly sugary. You can also use apple cider vinegar.
• Cornstarch (or Arrowroot powder): Thickens the filling, giving it the perfect consistency without being runny.

For the Crumble Topping:

• All-Purpose Flour (Gluten-Free): Adding some flour helps structure our apple crumble. I used Bob's Red Mill gluten-free AP flour to make my crumble.
• Rolled Oats: Adds texture and a nutty flavor to the crumble topping. Some celiacs may be great to oats; if this is you, simply omit this ingredient and add more flour.
• Brown Sugar (or Coconut Sugar): This contributes to the crumble's sweetness and helps it brown nicely.
• Ground Cinnamon: Enhances the topping with its warm, spicy flavor.
• Unsalted Butter (dairy or non-dairy): I often make this recipe with vegan butter. By incorporating fat into the dry mixture, butter helps create that sought-after flaky crumble.
• (Optional) Chopped Walnuts or Pecans: Add a nice crunch and nuttiness to your gluten-free apple tarts and help add texture and flavor to the crumble topping.

For full quantities, see the recipe card.

👩🏽‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Tart Shell:

Add the shells for your apple crumble tarts to the tart pans. Don't forget to poke vent holes into the crust to prevent bubbling. Pre-bake your gluten-free tart crust recipe (recipe here), but cut the baking time by about 5 minutes. This is crucial for avoiding a soggy bottom once the filling is added.

Step 2: Mix the Filling:

Gently toss the sliced sweet apples with the rest of the ingredients for the filling (brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch). This mix flavors the apples and ensures our filling thickens nicely as it bakes, creating a perfectly tender and glossy filling.

Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping:

Combine the gluten-free flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a separate large mixing bowl. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then add the nuts (if you are using them) and mix until combined.

Step 4: Add the Apple Pie Filling

Arrange the apple mixture in the pre-baked tart shell. I like to start at the outer edge and work my way in, slightly overlapping the slices for that rustic yet elegant look. Pour any leftover juice from your apple mixture over the top.

Step 5: Add the Crumble Top

Then, evenly sprinkle the crumble top over the apples. Make sure the crumb topping is not too compact.

Step 6: Bake:

Place your apple crumble tart in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes. You're looking for a golden-brown crumble topping and tender apples beneath.

Step 7: Cool and Serve:

Let your gluten-free apple tarts cool down a bit before slicing. This will make cutting easier while allowing the flavors to meld together. Serve your simple apple crumble tart with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipping cream for an extra treat.

💡Recipe Tips

After experimenting with various gluten-free apple crumb tarts, I've gathered a few straightforward tips that have significantly improved my baking process. Here's what I've learned to make this an easy recipe:

• Apple Selection Matters: I love using Honeycrisp apples. However, you can combine tart apples like Granny Smith with sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp for a balanced filling.
• Keep Butter Cold: Cold butter is crucial for a crunchy, golden crumble topping.
• Pie Vents Are Essential: Make sure to poke some holes into the pie crust or tart shells prior to baking to prevent bubbling and puffing up (or blind bake).
• Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t press down too hard on the apple slices and crumble topping to prevent the shell from cracking.
• Marinade Adds Flavor: Drizzle some of the apple filling juices over the slices for extra moisture and flavor.
• Patch Broken Dough: If the dough tears when you are adding it to the pie pan, just press it back together for a beautiful finish.
• Chill Dough When Needed: Refrigerate the gluten-free pastry crust if it becomes too warm to handle. This will make it easier to work with.

🥧Substitutions & Variations

I often wait until the last minute to make a recipe, only to find myself with an ingredient. Especially in the world of gluten-free baking, flexibility is your friend. Here are some ingredient substitutions for making gluten-free apple tarts:

• Flour Alternatives: Our gluten-free tart shells recipe offers 3 different flour mixtures so be sure to check that post out. You may need to adjust liquid ratios as these flours absorb moisture differently.
• Sugar Swaps: If brown sugar isn't your thing or you're looking for a lower glycemic index, coconut sugar offers a caramel-like sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels making more of a gluten-free caramel apple tart!
• Butter Variations: Dairy-free? No problem. Substitute the butter in the crumble with coconut oil or vegan butter to keep it plant-based while still achieving that crumbly, golden topping.

🥡Storage

To ensure your gluten-free apple tarts stay as delicious as the day you made it, follow these simple storage tips:

Room Temperature Storage: Once cooled, cover your apple crumble pie with foil or cling wrap. It'll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Fridge Storage: For longer storage, keep your gluten-free apple tarts in the refrigerator. It'll last up to 5 days. Just be sure to cover it well to prevent it from absorbing other flavors or place it into an airtight container.

Freezer Storage: Freezing is a great option if you're looking ahead. Wrap the tart tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving, and warm it up in the oven if you prefer it heated.