Vegan Apple Cobbler

Baking this easy-to-make spiced Vegan Apple Cobbler at home is the perfect way to welcome fall and colder weather. Serve warm from the oven with a scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic warm treat. All you need is 10 ingredients and less than an hour to bake! 

Apples are a must this time of year! They pair well with both sweet and savory recipes, bake well, and can be used in an infinite number of ways. If you love vegan apple recipes, you may also enjoy our classic vegan apple pie, apple cinnamon oatmeal, or check out our full collection of apple recipes.

Ingredient Notes and Variations

• Vegan Butter – Vegan butter is melted in the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking, add flavor and give the bottom of the apple cobbler a beautiful golden color. We like to use Country Crock Butter. If preferred, opt for vegetable oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. 
• Baking Powder – This leavening agent is used to help the apple cobbler rise. Please do not substitute the baking powder with baking soda. These two ingredients cannot be used interchangeably. 
• All-Purpose Flour – We have only tested this apple cobbler recipe with all-purpose flour. If you are looking for a gluten-free and vegan apple dessert, we recommend our Vegan Apple Crisp made with gluten-free rolled oats. 
• Sugar – You’ll need both granulated sugar and brown sugar. To ensure your cobbler is vegan, use organic granulated sugar. Conventional sugars do not contain non-vegan ingredients, but they can be bleached using nonvegan processes. We use the brand Wholesome.
• Non-Dairy Milk – We like to use unsweetened oat milk because it is rich and creamy, but you can use your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk. Coconut milk, soy milk, or cashew milk would all be great choices.
• Apples – For this recipe, you can use peeled or unpeeled apples. We prefer to leave the skin on because the apple gets nice and soft in baking and contains most of the apple’s antioxidants.
• Spices – A simple combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract really makes the apple cobbler reminiscent of fall and cozy weather.
• Salt – A small sprinkle of salt is essential to balancing the sweet, buttery flavors in this apple cobbler. 

Equipment Needed

• 9×9 baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk

How to Make a Vegan Apple Cobbler

1. Melt the vegan butter. Cut the vegan butter into cubes and add it to a 9×9” or similar size baking dish. Place in the oven for 5 minutes or until the butter is melted.
2. Coat the apples in spices. Slice the apples into slices ¼” thick, then in a medium-sized bowl, mix the apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside. 
3. Prepare the apple cobbler batter. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Next, add in the oat milk and vanilla extract and whisk until combined – a few lumps are okay. 
4. Pour the batter into the baking dish. Pour over top the melted vegan butter in an even layer. If needed, gently spread the cobbler batter into an even layer using a spatula.
5. Add the apples. The apples and any of their juices can be dumped on top of the cake or spread evenly over the top of the batter. 
6. Bake. Bake the apple cobbler for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm with dairy-free vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!

What is the difference between apple cobbler and apple crisp?

Apple cobbler and apple crisp are very similar apple desserts. Both are made with warm fall-inspired spices, and baked apple slices, and pair perfectly with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream. But they do have one big difference that sets them apart – apple cobblers are more cake-like, whereas apple crisps are made with a crumble topping. 

Make both this vegan apple cobbler recipe and our homemade vegan apple crisp and taste the difference side by side!

Best Apples for Apple Cobbler

When baking a classic cobbler with apples, you’ll want to pick an apple variety or varieties that are crisp and won’t turn to mush when baking – save those for making Vegan Apple Butter instead!

If desired, you can also use a few different varieties of apples to combine sweet and tart flavors. 

We recommend using Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, or a combination of a few of your favorites. Use this handy chart to help you determine which apple desserts are best for your apple variety.

Tips for Success

• Slice the apples evenly. This will help ensure the apples bake through evenly and are soft and tender after 45-50 minutes of baking. If you slice the apples unevenly or in too thick of slices, they may be underdone and make your apple cobbler crunchy.
• Don’t overmix the vegan cobbler batter.  This is a great rule to follow when doing any baking. Over mixing the batter can over-activate the gluten and make the batter tough and stretchy. Instead, use a light hand and whisk until just combined – it is better to have a few lumps in the batter than overdo it. 

How to Store Leftover Apple Cobbler

Baked apple cobbler can be stored loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Leftovers can be enjoyed at room temperature or reheated in the microwave until warm. 

Freezing Instructions: 

Bake this vegan apple cobbler through completely, then allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Once cool, transfer the cobbler to a freezer-safe container or silicone bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge until completely thawed. 

More Vegan Apple Desserts You May Enjoy:

• Vegan Apple Pie with Coconut Oil Crust
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
• Vegan Apple Cider Coffee Cake
• Date Sweetened Caramel Apples
• Vegan Apple Galette with Peanut Butter Caramel

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