The soft biscuit crust on cinnamon sugar apples makes this gluten-free apple cobbler comforting & delicious. This is one of my favorite gluten-free dessert recipes. It is not only easy to make but it is sweet & soulful.
I've transformed a traditional from-scratch recipe into the best homemade gluten-free apple cobbler. One bite and you will want to make this yummy cobbler all the time. Consider yourself warned.
This dessert recipe is so simple. Just cut up some fresh apples and dump them in a baking dish with some sugar & spices. Then stir up the gluten-free batter and spread it on top. Then bake in the oven until it has a golden-brown topping & it smells divine.
This recipe is perfect for holidays & special occasions when you want a special dessert that's also quick to make. I love making it in fall & winter when fresh apples are at their peak. When summer rolls around my go-to recipe is an amazing peach & strawberry skillet cobbler that's not gluten-free but so good.
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Ingredients
Like old-fashioned apple cobbler recipes, this recipe starts with fresh crisp apples. Once they are cored, peeled, and sliced; sugar and spices are added to give the cobbler filling some kick & sweetness.
For this gluten-free cobbler recipe, there is no wheat flour used. I am using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour made by Bob's Red Mill. I have found great success when using this product for baked goods.
This flourless cobbler recipe is also nut-free & egg-free. There are no eggs in the biscuit topping which is how they are traditionally made. There is no Bisquick or cake mix for this cobbler, just a homemade crust.
Best Apples for Making Cobbler
I am using golden delicious since this is what my tree has a ton of right now. You can use any baking apple you prefer. Some of my favorites for baking are granny smith, Honeycrisp, & Gravenstein. But there are so many apples that are great for baking so use what you love.
- Fresh Apples
- Lemon Juice
- Brown Sugar
- White Sugar, divided
- Corn Starch
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salted Butter
- Milk
- Vanilla Extract
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Begin by preheating the oven to 350°. Next prepare a 2-quart 9x9 rimmed baking dish with some cooking spray. This helps the biscuit topping not stick so the cobbler can be easily scooped out to enjoy.
Make the Cobbler Filling
The first step is to make the apple filling for the cobbler. Core & peel the apples before slicing. You want the apple slices to be about ⅓" in thickness.
This size allows the apples to be tender once cooked but not small that they fall apart or turn into mush. It also ensures the filling and the topping require the same amount of time to cook.
Slice the cored & peeled apples into ⅓" thick wedges. Add them to the prepared baking dish.
Add the spices, brown sugar, part of the white sugar, cornstarch, & lemon juice to the sliced apples. Stir to coat the apples evenly.
Make the Biscuit Batter
Once the apples are ready in the baking dish, it is time to mix up the batter. The topping is a biscuit-like crust that will bake up fluffy and sweet.
You will need a medium-sized mixing bowl to combine the topping ingredients. Since the butter needs to melt before using it in the batter, I like to use a microwave-safe bowl that is also big enough to add everything else. So grab your bowl and melt the butter.
In a bowl combine the biscuit topping ingredients. Stir to combine.
Spread the batter on top of the apples in an even layer.
Optional - sprinkle on some cinnamon & nutmeg to the top before baking.
Hint: If you want a crunchy texture on your cobbler, sprinkle on 2 additional tablespoons of white sugar once the batter is spread out. The sugar will bake up and add a nice bit of crispiness to the soft biscuit.
How Long To Bake Apple Cobbler
Once the oven is preheated, it is time to bake the gluten-free apple cobber. Another thing I over about this cobbler recipe is that it bakes up faster than a pie does. This apple cobbler cooks in less time than it would if you made a homemade pie. The faster it cooks, the sooner you can dig in!
Place the cobber on the center rack of your oven. Let it cook for 30-35 minutes.
You will know it is done when the top is golden and the edges are brown. If you give the cobbler a slight finger press the dough topping will be firm with a bit of spring. The apples should be bubbling hot underneath the crust as well.
If the topping is still wet or giggling it is not ready. Since every oven cooks differently, you may need additional cooking time. Continue baking and check on it every 3-5 minutes to see if it is done.
Once the cobbler is ready, use oven mitts and carefully remove it from the oven. Place it on a cooling rack to cool for 15-20 minutes. If you don't have a cooling rack, let it cool on your counter or stovetop.
I like to use the cooling rack so that the heat can leave the bottom of the baking dish just as quickly as it does from the top It will cool the cobbler down quicker this way.
When cool but still warm, scoop large spoonfuls into bowls & enjoy.
How to Serve Apple Cobbler
This gluten-free apple cobber goes great with so many other sweets. Take dessert to the next level and add some ice cream for apple cobbler a la mode. Whatever ice cream you like with apple pie, also work scooped on this. Or pick some yummy toppings that also go well with apple cobbler.
Here are some ideas for how I recommend serving fresh-baked apple cobbler. Scoop out a serving into a bowl and add one or more of these. Apple cobbler is best served warm.
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Caramel Ice Cream
- Butter Pecan Ice Cream
- Fresh Whipped Cream
- Caramel Sauce & sprinkle on some sea salt flakes
Or just serve it plain. Why mess with perfection? Doesn't the apple cobbler look to die for? The crispy edges on the tender biscuit topping paired with soft sweet apples are amazing all on their own.
Substitutions
This recipe is gluten-free so it is important to use ingredients without flour or gluten, such as the baking mix I recommend above. For celiacs, this is very important.
However, if you need to make some substitutions due to other dietary or allergy needs or if you are out of an ingredient, here are some alternatives that will work with this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract - use almond extract instead for a lovely taste & if there are no nut allergies in your family.
- Brown Sugar - if you do not have any, try one of my recommended substitutes for brown sugar.
Since baking is a science and requires particular ingredients and measurements to work, I do not have any other recommendations for changing the core ingredients for this recipe. I have not tried to make it dairy-free. This recipe is already egg-free, nut-free, & gluten-free.
Variations
Here are a few variations that can be made to this recipe. This classic apple cobbler with a gluten-free topping recipe can be changed a bit to make it your own. Here are some ideas that are just as tasty.
- Apple Pear - use half apples and half pears for a double fruit combination great for fall or winter.
- Apple Blueberry - add 1 cup of fresh blueberries to the filling.
- Apple Cranberry - great for the holidays, stir in ½ cup of dried cranberries to the apple filling.
- Caramel - add 1 cup of caramel bits & stir into the apple filling.
If you love apple desserts, also try my recipe for Fried Apple Hand Pies (copycat McDonald's). You can easily swap out the pie crust for a gluten-free premade option.
Equipment
A 9x9 baking dish is what is used to make this cobbler. You will also need other basic kitchen tools and ingredients to make this recipe. Most importantly be sure to use the gluten-free flour and spices that the recipe calls for.
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Storage
Store any leftover cobbler in the refrigerator after wrapping. Gluten-free apple cobbler will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I recommend reheating servings in the microwave when you are ready to enjoy leftovers.
Baked cobbler can also be frozen. Wrap pieces tightly with plastic wrap or store them in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag. Place in the freezer and store for up to 30 days. To enjoy, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days to defrost.
Top Tip - Make-Ahead Cobbler Filling
Make a bunch of the filling all at once if you have a ton of apples. Our tree produces a lot. Coring, peeling, slicing, & preparing the filling with the sugar and spice ahead of time is a time saver.
Freeze premade filling in air-tight containers or Ziploc bags. It stores well in the freezer for up to 4 months. When you are ready to make a cobbler, simply defrost it in the refrigerator for 48 hours and it will be thawed and ready to use.
I do not recommend assembling the full cobbler, the filling and topping, ahead of time and then freezing. The two together do not defrost well when they have not been baked.
FAQ
The topping is the main difference between the two. Both are baked in a dish without a bottom, only a topping for the sweet apple filling. The difference is that they each have a different topping. A cobbler has a soft biscuit-like topping. Whereas a crisp has a crunchy topping that contains nuts, oats, & other ingredients. A crumble is similar to a crisp but without oats.
I prefer to peel the apples when making this cobbler. I find the soft texture of the cooked apples is what my family enjoys. You do not have to peel them when you core them. Just know that the skin will not cook down and become as tender as the apples. This may result in a texture that is not as favorable.
If the apples are firm and the juices are not bubbling but the crust looks done, you may need to take it out of the oven. The apples may have been cut too large.
When the apples are too big they will not cook in the same amount of time as it takes for the biscuit topping of the cobbler to cook.
That is ok, you just may have apple filling that is a bit more crisp than soft. Next time, cut the apple slices thinner.
Gluten-Free Apple Cobbler
Equipment
- 9x9 baking dish
- fruit/vegetable peeler
Ingredients
Apple Filling Ingredients
- 8-10 medium apples 5 cups cored, peeled & sliced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Biscuit Topping Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 ¼ cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Prepare a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Core & peel the apples. Next, slice them into ⅓" thick slices
- Add the remaining filling ingredients. This includes the spices, brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons of white sugar, cornstarch, & lemon juice to the sliced apples. Stir to coat the apples evenly.
- In a medium-sized bowl that is microwave-safe, melt the butter. This should take about 30 seconds in the microwave
- Add the remaining batter ingredients. This includes gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, & vanilla. Stir or whisk to combine.
- Spread the batter on top of the apples in an even layer.
- Once the oven is preheated, add the cobbler to the middle rack of the oven. Bake the cobbler for 30-35 minutes.
- The cobbler should be golden brown on top and the apples should be bubbling hot underneath. Once ready, remove carefully from the oven using oven mitts.
- Cool the cobbler for 15-20 minutes on a cooling rack.
- Scoop into bowls and serve while still warm. Enjoy as is or top with ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce to enjoy.
Notes
- Store leftovers for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30 seconds.
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