Gluten-Free Apple Galette: Rustic Apple Tart with Flaky Crust

This gluten-free apple galette is an ideal fall dessert: familiar apple pie flavor without the fuss of a double crust. Juicy, spiced apple slices are folded into a rustic, free-form gluten-free crust for a beautiful, easy dessert that highlights fresh apples.

Free form apple galette, half of it sliced. One piece is on a plate. There is an apple, some cinnamon sticks and a dollop of honey on the parchment paper that the galette is also on.

Updated from the original post published September 2, 2021.

Filled with cinnamon-scented apples and just the right amount of sweetness, this galette combines cozy spices and a tender gluten-free crust for a rustic dessert that’s both pretty and satisfying. It’s an excellent way to enjoy fresh apple season without spending hours baking.

Why you will love this Apple Galette

Side view of a slice of apple galette. You can see all the layers of apple slices.
  • Make-ahead dough: the gluten-free crust can be refrigerated for 2 days or frozen up to 3 months.
  • Less work than a double-crust pie, but all the apple-pie flavor in a rustic format.
  • The spices fill the kitchen with classic apple-pie aromas.
  • Easy to make vegan: substitute a flax egg and use maple syrup instead of honey.
  • Grain-free and paleo-friendly when using almond flour.
  • The crust is lightly sweetened and pairs perfectly with spiced apples.
  • A simple, elegant way to showcase fresh apples.

Ingredients for Gluten-free Galette Crust

Labeled ingredients: almond flour, arrowroot powder, egg, olive oil, honey and sea salt.
  • Almond flour: Use finely ground blanched almond flour for the best texture. A gluten-free all-purpose flour can substitute (reduce quantity slightly if it’s lower in moisture).
  • Arrowroot powder: A neutral, gluten-free starch used to bind the dough. Tapioca or cassava starch can substitute if needed.
  • Honey: Adds gentle sweetness to the crust; swap with maple syrup for a vegan option.
  • Olive oil: Provides tenderness. If preferred, use avocado or coconut oil.
  • Egg: Binds the dough; replace with a flax egg to make the crust vegan (dough will be slightly firmer to work with).
  • Sea salt: To balance the flavors.

Ingredients for the Apple Galette Filling

Labeled ingredients for apple galette filling: apples, apple pie spices, lemon juice, honey.
  • Apples: Choose firm apples—mix sweet and tart varieties if you like. Firm varieties hold their shape and give a lovely texture.
  • Lemon juice: Prevents browning and adds brightness.
  • Honey: Sweetens the filling; use maple syrup for a vegan filling. No additional sugar is necessary.
  • Spices: Cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, nutmeg and a pinch of salt for warmth and depth.

What are the best apples for a galette?

Green leafy ceramic pedestal dish with an assortment of fresh apples on top.
  • Choose firm, unblemished apples. Avoid wrinkled or soft fruits.
  • Mixing varieties adds complexity of flavor, but firmer apples are best for a galette so slices keep their shape.
  • Sweet options: Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Honeycrisp.
  • Tart options: Pink Lady, Jonagold, Granny Smith.
  • If picking apples at an orchard, ask for recommendations—local varieties can be excellent.

How to make Gluten-Free Galette Crust

Make the crust first so it can chill at least 4 hours or overnight; a cold dough is much easier to roll and shape.

img 4950 6

Crust Step 1: Combine almond flour, arrowroot, olive oil, honey, egg and salt in a food processor and pulse until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.

img 4950 7

Crust Step 2: The dough should hold together when pressed between your fingers. Gather and shape into a ball.

Ball of dough.

Crust Step 3: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

The easiest way to core and slice an apple

Green apple, halved and then the inner core scooped out with a melon baller.

Cut apples in half and scoop out the core with a melon baller or spoon.

Wooden cutting board with red apple sliced thinly in two halves. A melon baller is in the center and the core in the upper left corner.

Place each half cut-side down and slice thinly. Repeat until all apples are sliced.

Make the apple filling

Spices, lemon juice and honey in a large glass bowl.

Whisk cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, lemon juice and honey in a large bowl.

Green and Red Sliced Apples, mixed with apple pie spices, in a large glass bowl.

Toss the apple slices in the spice mixture until evenly coated.

Roll out the Dough

4 numbered steps to rolling out gluten-free galette dough in all directions.
  1. Place the chilled dough on a piece of parchment paper.
  2. Lightly dust with arrowroot to keep the rolling pin from sticking.
  3. Roll from the center outward in all directions to create an even disc about 1/4″ thick.
  4. Transfer the parchment with the dough to a rimmed baking sheet and chill until ready to fill.

How to Assemble and Bake

Galette dough rolled into a flat circle, sprinkled with arrowroot and then brushed with spice mixture.

Step 1: Sprinkle the rolled dough with arrowroot to prevent sogginess, then brush a little of the spice mixture on the surface.

Pie dough rolled into a disc and filled with circles of sliced apples.

Step 2: Arrange the apple slices in a fan or circular pattern, leaving about a 1″ border around the edge.

Pie crust filled with sliced apples with a free form fold along the edges to produce a rustic galette.

Step 3: Fold the crust edges over the apples, pinching slightly to secure while leaving the center exposed.

Pastry brush egg washing a rustic apple galette.

Step 4: Whisk an egg and brush the exposed crust with the egg wash to encourage a golden finish. For a vegan version, skip the egg wash or brush with a little non-dairy milk or maple syrup.

Free form galette with sliced apples, sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and nuts.

Step 5: If you like, scatter chopped nuts or pomegranate seeds over the top and dust lightly with cinnamon.

Free form galette filled with thin slices of apples in a grain-free crust.

Step 6: Bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 30–35 minutes, until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.

Apple galette with a slice on a serving piece.

Cool briefly on a wire rack, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

img 4950 21

More Healthy Fall Recipes

  • Healthy Soup Recipes for Fall (vegan and gluten-free)
  • Healthy Dairy-free Baked Apples
  • Mashed Acorn Squash Recipe
  • Butternut and Beetroot Salad

If you try this recipe, please consider leaving a rating and a comment — it helps food bloggers a lot. Share photos by tagging @dkhealthcoach on Instagram and use #debraklein if you post your galette.

Recipe

Side view of a slice of apple galette. You can see all the layers of apple slices.

Gluten-free Apple Galette

Easy gluten-free apple galette with a spiced apple filling and a rustic crust—apple pie flavor with less work.
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Let dough rest in fridge 4 hrs
Course Breakfast & Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 337 kcal

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup blanched almond flour
  • 1 cup arrowroot powder
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
  • 1 large egg (or flax egg)
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Apple Filling

  • 4 large apples, cored and thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp allspice
  • ⅛ tsp ground ginger
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg

Egg wash

  • 1 large egg, whisked (optional for vegan version)

Optional

  • 2 tbsp finely chopped almonds
  • 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds

Instructions

  1. Make dough: In a food processor combine almond flour, arrowroot, olive oil, honey, egg and salt. Process until a crumbly dough forms. Shape into a ball, wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Preheat: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. Make filling: In a large bowl whisk lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and nutmeg. Slice apples thinly and toss with the spice mixture until evenly coated.
  4. Roll out dough: Place chilled dough on parchment, dust lightly with arrowroot, and roll into a roughly 1/4″ thick disc.
  5. Fill and fold: Spoon apples onto the center of the dough in a circular pattern, leaving a 1″ border. Fold the crust edges over the apples, pinching as needed.
  6. Optional: Sprinkle chopped nuts or pomegranate seeds on top.
  7. Egg wash: Brush exposed crust with the whisked egg (or skip/brush with non-dairy milk or maple syrup for vegan).
  8. Bake: Bake 30–35 minutes until apples are tender and the crust is golden. Cool briefly on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Vegan option: Replace egg with a flax egg and use maple syrup instead of honey.

Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart firm apples for the best texture and flavor.

Spices: You can use 2 tsp apple pie spice in place of the individual spices if preferred.

Nutrition

Calories: 337 kcal | Carbohydrates: 31 g | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 23 g | Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 19 g