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    Home » Gluten-Free Apple Cake (Paleo)

    Gluten-Free Apple Cake (Paleo)

    Published: Sep 9, 2018 · Modified: Jan 6, 2023 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This gluten-free apple cake is the best apple cake recipe ever! It's an easy, healthy paleo dessert that’s made without refined sugar and bursting with cozy fall flavors.

    overhead view of a paleo gluten-free apple cake

    Fall is my favorite season. While I definitely enjoy summer, I am always ready for the cooler temperatures, scarves, boots, and all the fall recipes - including this Gluten-Free Apple Cake!

    This paleo, gluten-free apple cake recipe comes together in no time and is packed full of nutritious ingredients! Eat it for breakfast, eat it for brunch, serve it warm for dessert smothered with some Paleo Vanilla Ice cream.  You really can’t go wrong.

    This Paleo apple cake is irresistible! It's perfectly sweet, seriously moist, and bursting at the seams with bits of apple goodness!

    Front view of a piece of paleo gluten-free apple cake on a plate with a bite taken out of it

    Gluten-Free Apple Cake: Ingredients & Substitutions

    As always it is best to follow this gluten-free Paleo Cake recipe as it's written, but here are a few potential substitutions!

    • Tapioca Flour.  Arrowroot powder is an acceptable substitute for tapioca flour! You can also use corn starch but it's not paleo.
    • Coconut oil. Butter is a super yummy (but not dairy-free) substitute for coconut oil! Ghee is also a great substitution!
    • Coconut sugar. Any granulated sugar works great in this recipe, just be sure it complies with your dietary needs.
    • Pecans. I have used walnuts with delicious results as well!
    front view of a paleo gluten-free apple cake before being sliced

    How to make Gluten-Free Apple Cake

    1. Finely dice the apples. This will ensure that the apples in the cake are fully baked (and not hard and crunchy)
    2. No Peeling Required. Since peeling is unnecessary, this best Apple Cake recipe is SUPER easy to make. I love that keeping the skin on the apples adds nutrition and fiber to this fabulous fall dessert!
    3. Making the topping. I know I say that the topping is optional, but really the sweet and salty crunch of the pecans is SO good I don't recommend skipping it! I use a nut chopper to finely chop the pecans, but you can use a knife and cutting board if you don't have one of those!
    4. Let it cool before removing from the cake pan. Please be sure to give this gluten-free apple cake recipe plenty of time to cool in the cake pan. This ensures that it will hold it's shape and not fall apart when it's removed from the pan.
    overhead view of a collage of six pictures showing the steps in making this paleo gluten-free apple cake recipe

    Serve

    Serve this healthy apple cake warm with a scoop of paleo vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream!

    Store

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 5-7 days.

    Overhead view of a paleo gluten-free apple cake with one slice cut from it, resting on a pie server ready to be pulled off the serving platter

    Recipe FAQs

    What are the best apples for baking this recipe? 

    Any who. I believe the absolute best apples for baking are Pink Lady apples. They are a little sweet, and a little tart, and absolutely perfect in this Gluten-Free Apple Cake recipe! Some suggestions include (but are not limited to):
    Pink Lady Apples. Must mention again because they're my favorite!
    Honey Crisp Apples. These are a sweeter variety, but super crisp with amazing flavor.
    Granny smith. The traditional tart baking apple! They hold up well and add a nice little sour kick to the recipe!
    Jazz apples and Gala apples. These varieties are very similar. They are great for baking but are mostly sweet with little (if any) sour taste!

    Front view of a slice of gluten-free apple cake on a plate with a bite taken out of it sitting on a fork next to the piece of cake

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Gluten-Free Apple Cake (Paleo)

    Laura
    This gluten-free apple cake is the best apple cake recipe ever! It's an easy, healthy paleo dessert that’s made without refined sugar and bursting with cozy fall flavors.
    4.98 from 44 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 Slices of Cake
    Calories 216 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl
    • 9" round cake pan
    • cake tester

    Ingredients
     
     

    Cake:

    • 1 cup almond flour
    • 2 TBS tapioca flour
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp baking soda
    • ¼ cup coconut oil
    • ½ cup coconut sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups chopped apples

    Topping:

    • ¼ cup pecans chopped
    • 1 TBS coconut sugar
    • ½ tsp cinnamon

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9" round cake pan, set aside.
    • In a small bowl, mix together almond flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, salt, and ½ tsp of cinnamon; set aside.
    • In a large bowl, mix together melted coconut oil, coconut sugar.
    • Mix in egg and and vanilla until well combined.
    • Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
    • Stir in the apples, pour into prepared pan.
    • Sprinkle pecans on top.
    • In a cup or small bowl, stir together the remaining cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle over pecans.
    • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in preheated oven until the cake springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack. Then slice and enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Tapioca Flour.  Arrowroot powder is an acceptable substitute for tapioca flour! You can also use corn starch but it's not paleo.
    • Coconut oil. Butter is a super yummy (but not dairy-free) substitute for coconut oil! Ghee is also a great substitution!
    • Coconut sugar. Any granulated sugar works great in this recipe, just be sure it complies with your dietary needs.
    • Pecans. I have used walnuts with delicious results as well!

    Serve

    Serve this healthy apple cake warm with a scoop of paleo vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream!

    Store

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 5-7 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3.7gFat: 15.4gSaturated Fat: 6.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.8gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 195mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 2.2gSugar: 14.6gVitamin A: 45IUVitamin C: 1.7mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More delicious apple recipes: 

    • Make some pie, check out our recipes for BEST apple crumble pie, or classic apple pie! 
    • We make this Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal for breakfast all the time!
    • These Healthy Cinnamon Apples are made on the stovetop and taste so good!
    • These Cinnamon Apple Muffins are the best! Enjoy them with a warm cup of coffee for a perfect fall breakfast!
    • I could eat 3 of these Paleo Apple Crumb Muffins in one sitting!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Did you make this recipe?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica Espinoza

      January 05, 2022 at 11:16 pm

      When doubling this recipe, is the cooking time the same?

      Reply
    2. Esther Deakins

      October 09, 2021 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this cake! It is so good and easy to make! The paleo banana bread is also wonderful. Thank you for so many good recipes.

      Reply
    3. Ali Rose Savitt

      September 08, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      It was delicious but fell apart. Not sure what I did wrong....

      Reply
    4. Julia Whaling

      November 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      I made this recipe yesterday and it was so delicious! I could eat the entire cake in one sitting. I did use 2 eggs as the mix was to stiff to stir in the apples and it worked great.

      Reply
    5. Teri

      November 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      Made as is is delicious! I was trying to replicate an apple cake my mom used to make, so I doubled the recipe and added an egg- I did also added a little freshly grated nutmeg. it was perfect The nut topping was not part of the original recipe, but I kept that since it took things over the top!

      Reply
    6. Kalebandit

      September 27, 2020 at 6:25 am

      5 stars
      So delicious. I was craving apple something as September crept in. Served with a caramel ice cream over warm cake. Thank You

      Reply
    7. Deanne

      April 23, 2020 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      FInally. A truly DELICIOUS paleo cake!! I doubled the recipe, and used walnuts as I was out of pecans. I have tons of apples left to use so am going to make another double batch tomorrow and freeze it. The husband even said he could eat this regularly! Thank you, thank you!!

      Reply
      • Laura

        April 24, 2020 at 2:36 pm

        Thank you so much Deanne! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! When in doubt, double a cake right?!

        Reply
    8. Nataline

      March 27, 2020 at 7:37 am

      Hi all, what can I substitute for Tapioca flour.. my cupboard is not exactly as it use to be so I also do not have any corn starch... I can handle the substitute if it's not paleo; no problem. Thanks. I really want to make this today!

      Reply
      • Laura

        March 27, 2020 at 7:51 am

        You can use gluten-free all purpose flour or regular flour!

        Reply
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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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