Vegan Apple Tart Recipe

Craving a dessert that’s cozy, flavorful, and entirely plant-based? This Vegan Apple Tart Recipe might just become your new favorite. Perfect for fall baking or any time you want to impress guests with something delicious yet dairy-free and egg-free, this tart features a crisp pastry crust, a rich vegan frangipane filling, and tender apple slices baked to perfection. Whether you serve it with a scoop of vegan ice cream or enjoy it as is, every bite offers the warmth of spices and the delicate sweetness of apples and almonds.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to recreate this comforting tart in your own kitchen. From choosing the best crust options to crafting the perfect vegan frangipane, arranging your apples like a pro, and understanding baking and topping tips, we’ve got all the steps covered. Let’s begin with building the base of it all-the crust.

Crafting the Perfect Vegan Tart Crust

Understanding Your Crust Options

The base of any tart sets the tone for both flavor and texture. For this vegan apple tart recipe, you have several options depending on time, dietary preferences, and what you already have on hand. You can go the traditional route with a homemade pastry crust or use a shortcut like store-bought vegan pie dough or puff pastry.

Homemade Pastry Crust: This is ideal for those who love from-scratch baking. It provides a firm yet buttery foundation that balances the softness of the frangipane filling. It’s the most customizable and usually the tastiest option.

Store-Bought Pie Dough: If you’re short on time, ready-to-roll vegan dough can save the day. Many grocery stores now offer plant-based doughs without lard, butter, or milk.

Vegan Puff Pastry: For a flakier finish and a lighter bite, puff pastry makes an excellent alternative. It skips the blind baking step and creates a crispy, golden base that works beautifully with sweet fillings.

Cookie Crust Option: A creative and fun twist, cookie crusts are made by crushing vegan cookies with plant-based butter. They are quick, easy, and especially great for those who prefer no-fuss baking.

Pre-Baking for Success

Once your crust is selected, it’s time to par-bake or “blind bake” it to avoid a soggy bottom. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), and line your tart pan with the rolled-out dough, pressing into the corners. Prick the bottom with a fork to let steam escape and line it with parchment paper and pie weights or dry beans. Bake for 10 minutes.

After that, remove the weights and parchment, then bake again for another 10 minutes. This second round helps dry out the bottom and creates a crust that’s crisp and ready for the creamy frangipane filling. Let it cool slightly before moving to the next step.

Optional Jam Layer

For an extra layer of fruity richness, consider brushing the pre-baked crust with a thin coating of apple or apricot jam. This step isn’t essential but adds a subtle sweetness and a protective barrier between the crust and the moist filling. It elevates both flavor and presentation.

Vegan Apple Tart Recipe

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• Author: Jennifer
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 10-inch tart
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

This vegan apple tart recipe features a crisp pastry crust, a creamy almond frangipane filling, and tender, beautifully arranged apple slices. It’s a show-stopping, dairy-free dessert perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or cozy nights in.

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Ingredients

Tart Crust:

1 Tart Crust Recipe (see notes for options)

1–2 tbsp apple or apricot jam (optional)

Vegan Frangipane:

1 1/4 cups ground blanched almonds (125g)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60g) or gluten-free alternative

1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot/tapioca starch

1 tsp baking powder

6 tbsp vegan butter (85g, softened) or coconut oil

1/3 cup + 1 tbsp caster sugar (85g)

1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce (85g)

3 tbsp almond milk or other non-dairy milk

1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

3/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

3–4 small apples, thinly sliced

Topping:

1 handful sliced almonds

2 tbsp brown sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pastry crust and press it into a 10-inch tart pan. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Line crust with parchment and weights. Bake 10 minutes. Remove weights and bake 10 more minutes. Let cool slightly.

3. (Optionally) Spread a thin layer of apple or apricot jam on the base.

4. Reduce oven temperature to 355°F (180°C).

5. In a bowl, whisk ground almonds, flour, starch, and baking powder.

6. In another bowl, cream vegan butter and sugar. Add applesauce, milk, and extracts. Mix well.

7. Stir dry mixture into the wet until just combined. Batter will be thick.

8. Spread batter evenly over tart crust.

9. Arrange thin apple slices in a spiral or concentric circles. Top with almonds and sprinkle brown sugar.

10. Bake for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

11. Let cool fully in the pan before removing.

12. Serve as is or with vegan ice cream, maple syrup, or pecans.

Notes

If you’re short on time, use store-bought pie dough or vegan puff pastry. No need to blind bake puff pastry—just assemble and bake.

To make it gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or rice flour.

For a no-crust version, bake just the frangipane and apples in an 8-inch pan to create a simple almond apple cake.

To make homemade blanched almonds, soak and peel regular almonds and grind them.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Pies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Vegan, French-Inspired

Vegan Frangipane – The Creamy Almond Heart of Your Tart

What Is Vegan Frangipane?

Frangipane is a soft almond-based cream traditionally made with butter, eggs, and ground almonds. But in this vegan apple tart recipe, we keep it 100% plant-based without sacrificing flavor or texture. The result is a smooth, nutty, slightly sweet filling that becomes rich and cake-like as it bakes.

Thanks to a few clever swaps like applesauce and vegan butter, this version has all the creaminess and structure of traditional frangipane, with none of the animal products. It also acts as the perfect cushion for sliced apples and toppings.

Ingredients for Vegan Frangipane

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare the luscious frangipane layer:

• Ground Blanched Almonds: These provide the essential nutty flavor. Use blanched for a light color and smooth texture. You can grind them fresh at home or buy pre-ground almond flour.
• All-Purpose or Gluten-Free Flour: A small amount of flour helps bind the ingredients and adds structure. For a gluten-free version, a 1:1 flour blend or rice flour will do the trick.
• Cornstarch (or Tapioca/Arrowroot): Acts as an additional binder, helping to keep the filling firm and cohesive.
• Baking Powder: Gives a slight lift to the filling during baking.
• Vegan Butter or Coconut Oil: For richness and moisture. Softened vegan butter creates the best texture, but coconut oil is a solid backup.
• Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce replaces eggs and adds gentle sweetness and moisture.
• Almond and Vanilla Extracts (optional): These are flavor enhancers. A little goes a long way in bringing out the almond notes.

Preparing the Frangipane

Start by preheating your oven to 355°F (180°C). In one bowl, mix the dry ingredients: ground almonds, flour, cornstarch, and baking powder.

In another bowl, cream the vegan butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps trap air for a better texture. Add the applesauce, almond milk, and extracts, mixing until everything is well combined.

Slowly add the dry mix into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. The batter will be thick, which is exactly what you want—it needs to support the apples without sinking.

Spreading the Filling into the Tart

Once your tart shell has cooled slightly (and jam has been added, if using), spoon the frangipane into the crust. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to spread it evenly from edge to edge. It doesn’t need to be perfect—just smooth enough to allow the apple slices to lay flat.

Arranging the Apples – The Visual and Flavor Star

Choosing the Right Apples

In any vegan apple tart recipe, the apples are the visual centerpiece and the flavor highlight. So choosing the right variety is key. You’ll want apples that hold their shape when baked and bring a balanced sweet-tart profile.

Some great options include:

• Honeycrisp: Crisp texture and sweet with a hint of tartness.
• Granny Smith: Very tart and firm, perfect if you prefer a less sweet tart.
• Pink Lady: Sweet and tart with a floral aroma.
• Braeburn or Fuji: Mildly sweet, hold their structure well in baking.

Try mixing two varieties for depth of flavor and contrast in color.

How to Slice Apples for a Tart

Wash and core 3 to 4 small apples. Leave the skins on for color unless you prefer a softer, more uniform look. Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice the apples thinly—about 1/8 inch thick. The thinner the slices, the easier it is to layer them beautifully.

For best results, slice right before arranging to prevent browning. If prepping in advance, brush slices lightly with lemon juice.

Creating a Gorgeous Apple Pattern

Now for the fun part—arranging your apple slices on the frangipane. There are many patterns you can create, depending on how fancy you feel:

• Rose Style Spiral: Starting at the outer edge, overlap apple slices in a tight spiral moving toward the center. This gives a rose-like effect and is truly stunning.
• Concentric Circles: Create 2–3 rings of neatly overlapping slices, giving the tart a classic French patisserie look.
• Rustic Waves: Layer apples in soft curves or random waves if you want a more casual and cozy presentation.

Press the slices lightly into the frangipane to help them settle and bake evenly.

Final Touches Before Baking

Once your apple design is complete, sprinkle the top with a handful of sliced almonds for crunch and texture. Then add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar over the top to caramelize the apples as they bake, enhancing the sweetness and adding a golden glaze.

Baking Your Vegan Apple Tart to Perfection

Ideal Baking Temperature and Time

Once the tart is assembled with frangipane and apples, it’s time to bake. Preheat your oven to 355°F (180°C). This moderate temperature allows the frangipane to cook evenly and the apples to soften without burning.

Place the tart on the center rack and bake for about 50 minutes. Since every oven varies slightly, begin checking at the 45-minute mark. The tart is ready when:

• The apples are soft and slightly caramelized on the edges.
• The frangipane is golden and puffed.
• A toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, without any sticky batter.

Avoid overbaking, which can dry out the frangipane. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil during the last 10–15 minutes.

Cooling Before Removing

Once the tart is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. This step is important, especially if you’re using a removable-bottom tart pan. Cooling firms up the filling and crust, making the tart easier to slice and serve without crumbling.

Avoid trying to remove it while hot, as the frangipane is still soft and could break. Once cooled, gently lift the tart by pushing up from the bottom or use a thin spatula to loosen the edges before serving.

Final Texture and Aroma

When done right, the tart should have a flaky base, a moist and tender almond filling, and apple slices that are just the right amount of soft, with a little bite left. The kitchen will be filled with the sweet aroma of baked apples, almonds, and a hint of vanilla—an irresistible invitation to dig in.

Serving Suggestions

This vegan apple tart recipe is perfect on its own, but here are some ideas to elevate each slice:

• Add a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle with warm maple syrup or almond butter.
• Garnish with a few toasted pecans for extra crunch.
• Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a refined look.

Toppings, Variations, and Creative Twists

Elevating with Simple Toppings

While the classic version of this vegan apple tart recipe is already a showstopper, the right toppings can enhance both flavor and presentation. Here’s how to give your tart an extra pop without complicating the recipe.

• Sliced Almonds: Already included in the base recipe, these turn golden and slightly crunchy in the oven. You can also lightly toast them beforehand for deeper flavor.
• Brown Sugar Dusting: Sprinkling 2 tablespoons of brown sugar over the apples before baking creates a lightly caramelized finish.
• Cinnamon Sprinkle (optional): If you’re a fan of warm spices, adding a dash of cinnamon on top of the apples before baking can complement the tartness of the fruit and the richness of the frangipane.
• Maple Glaze (after baking): Mix 1 tablespoon of maple syrup with a tiny splash of almond milk and brush over the apples right after baking for a subtle shine and an added hint of sweetness.

Tart Variations for Every Preference

This tart recipe is incredibly versatile. Depending on what you have available or the dietary needs of your guests, you can create exciting variations:

• Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Tart: Just substitute the all-purpose flour in the frangipane with a gluten-free blend or rice flour. Make sure your crust is gluten-free too, and you’re good to go.
• No-Crust Almond Apple Cake: For an even simpler dessert, skip the crust entirely and bake the frangipane and apple topping in an 8-inch springform pan. This turns the tart into a rustic almond apple cake. The baking time remains about 45 to 50 minutes.
• Mini Tarts: Use small tart pans to create individual servings. These are perfect for entertaining or gifting. Just reduce baking time to 30–35 minutes.
• Pear & Apple Mix: Combine thin slices of pear with apple for a fruity blend. Pears add a buttery softness that pairs beautifully with almonds.
• Rustic Galette Style: Use vegan puff pastry or pie dough and fold the edges over the filling for a free-form galette. No tart pan needed, and it still looks and tastes amazing.

Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips

This tart is a fantastic make-ahead dessert. Bake it a day in advance and store it, covered, at room temperature or in the refrigerator. It can be served chilled or brought to room temp before slicing.

To freeze, wrap the cooled tart in foil or plastic wrap, place it in a freezer-safe bag, and store it for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven to refresh the crust.

Conclusion: A Vegan Apple Tart Recipe Worth Repeating

This vegan apple tart recipe brings together the perfect combination of comfort, elegance, and plant-based goodness. With a crisp crust, creamy almond frangipane, and delicately arranged baked apples, each slice offers layers of flavor and texture that make it a standout dessert for any occasion.

Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in, a family gathering, or a holiday table, this tart checks all the boxes. It’s completely egg-free and dairy-free, adaptable to gluten-free needs, and offers endless variations to keep things exciting. From the first slice to the last bite, it’s the kind of dessert that proves vegan baking is anything but boring.