Author: This Easy Vegan Apple Cobbler is filled with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a soft, buttery cake-like topping that's golden around the edges, fluffy in the middle, and finished with a cinnamon sugar swirl.
This Easy Vegan Apple Cobbler is one of those cozy desserts that just screams fall! Tender cinnamon-spiced apples are topped with a soft, buttery vanilla cake-like topping, then swirled with cinnamon sugar before baking. SO GOOD!
I give the apples a quick head start on the stovetop so they're perfectly tender by the time the topping is golden and fluffy. Granny Smith apples are my favorite here because they hold their shape and their tartness balances the sweet cake topping perfectly. And unlike pie, there's no crust to fuss with. Just scoop it warm into a bowl, add a big scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, and YUM!
It's easy enough for a cozy weekend dessert, but special enough for Thanksgiving or a holiday gathering. I'd happily serve it alongside my famous vegan pumpkin pie!
Why This Is the Apple Cobbler of Your Dreams
- The coziest fall dessert: Warm apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and buttery cake. Could it BE any cozier?!
- Perfectly tender apples: A quick 5-minute stovetop cook gives the apples a head start before the cobbler goes into the oven so they're tender by the time the topping is baked through.
- Cake-like topping: Instead of a biscuit topping, this cobbler has a soft, fluffy vanilla cake-like topping swirled with cinnamon sugar. YUM!
Ingredients for Vegan Apple Cobbler
- Granny Smith apples: My favorite for cobbler because they hold their shape and their tart flavor balances the sweet topping perfectly. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Fuji, or a mix of tart and sweet apples also work well.
- Vegan butter: I love using my homemade vegan butter, but your favorite store-bought vegan butter works too.
- Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work well in the apple filling.
- All-purpose flour: A tablespoon helps thicken the apple juices, while the rest forms the base of the cobbler topping.
- Lemon juice and vanilla: Lemon juice adds a little brightness, while vanilla makes the filling extra cozy and flavorful.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: Cozy spices that add warmth to this vegan apple cobbler.
- White sugar: For the cake topping and cinnamon sugar swirl.
- Baking powder: For a topping that's fluffy, not dense.
- Plant-based milk: Soy or oat milk are my go-to choices, but your favorite should work just fine.
How to Make Vegan Apple Cobbler
- Give the Apples a Head Start: Cook the apples with the butter, sugar, flour, lemon, vanilla, and spices for a few minutes, just until they're starting to soften.
- Make the Topping: Stir together the cobbler batter just until combined. A few little lumps are totally fine.
- Assemble: Spread the apples in your baking dish, spoon the batter over top, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and give it a pretty swirl.
- Bake & Serve: Bake until the topping is golden and fluffy and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for a bit, then scoop it up while it's still warm!
Tips and Variations
- Slice the apples evenly: Aim for roughly ¼-inch-thick slices. This ensures that they're all equally tender when the cobbler comes out of the oven.
- Don't fully cook the apples on the stove: You're just giving them a head start, not cooking them through.
- Let it rest: Give your cobbler at least 10 minutes to rest after baking. The juices will thicken as the cobbler cools a bit, making it easier to serve.
- Gluten-free option: Use your favorite measure-for-measure gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the filling and topping.
Make Ahead, Storage, and Freezing
- Make Ahead: Cook the apple filling up to 2 days ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature, then make the topping and assemble the cobbler just before baking.
- Refrigerator: Cover leftover vegan apple cobbler and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm a larger portion in a 300°F oven until heated through.
- Freezer: Freeze the baked and cooled cobbler for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Vegan Apple Desserts
If you try this easy vegan apple cobbler recipe, let me know by leaving a comment and rating it. I'd love to see what you made. Share your creation in the It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken Community (this is where we're all hanging out now!) or tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
Easy Vegan Apple Cobbler
This Easy Vegan Apple Cobbler is filled with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a soft, buttery cake-like topping that's golden around the edges, fluffy in the middle, and finished with a cinnamon sugar swirl.
Servings: - 12
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Ingredients
Apple Filling:
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Cobbler Topping:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup plant-based milk, (such as soy or oat)
- ⅓ cup vegan butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
- Pre-Cook the apples: Melt the vegan butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are evenly coated and begin to soften and release their juices.
- Transfer to the baking dish: Pour the apple mixture, including any juices, into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Make the topping: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the plant-based milk, melted vegan butter, and vanilla. Stir until just combined. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Top the cobbler: Pour the batter over the apples and gently spread it into an even layer with a spatula, it's ok if it doesn't cover the apples completely. Stir together the cinnamon sugar topping and sprinkle evenly over the batter. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter to make it look pretty.
- Bake: Bake for 45 - 55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean, and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve: Let the cobbler cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm on its own or with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Best Apples: Granny Smith apples are my favorite because they hold their shape and their tart flavor balances the sweet topping perfectly. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Fuji, or a mix of tart and sweet apples also work well. If using especially sweet apples, you can reduce the brown sugar in the apple filling slightly.
Storage: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm larger portions in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through.
Freeze: Freeze the baked cobbler for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make ahead: The apple filling can be cooked up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature before assembling the cobbler, then add the topping just before baking.
Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend in both the filling and topping.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving (recipe makes 9 servings) | Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 144IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1mg
Alisa Howard says
This recipe looks amazing. Do you think using gluten-free would work? I’m always trying to find recipes that look like pieish, but I have to make it gluten-free.
Charlotte Puderbaugh says
Best Apple Cobbler ever. Family approved and enjoyed.