Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits

This comfort-food dessert Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits recipe is a beautiful rendition of a dessert that is absolutely out of this world good! Entirely from scratch, it has a true Southern touch (with a twist) and will have the entire family asking for seconds + thirds. Savory cheddar herb biscuits are the perfect cheesy, buttery topping to go atop a gooey, sweet apple filling to serve with a few scoops of dairy-free ice cream or whipped cream for a savory-sweet treat. Gluten-Free options.

I'm truly the biggest fan of cobblers and I couldn't help but share this warm, comfort-food dessert recipe for you to try with your entire family. There's just something about throwing together an easy dessert in a skillet or one-pan and being able to satisfyingly indulge in that dessert with your favorite toppings like dairy-free ice cream or whipped cream like with this Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits. The best part is that this recipe is a great infused adaptation from my original Easy Southern Peach Cobbler [with Canned Peaches], Chicken Pot Pie, and Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crisp which has become a real fan favorite lately! Embrace the coziness fall with our Baked Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donuts recipe – They're like a warm hug for your taste buds!

But if you're more team crisp versus cobbler, then you're sure to enjoy this Salted Caramel Apple Crisp, Sheet Pan Maple Roasted Pear Crisp, and Vegan Apple Cranberry Crisp. I can guarantee that this apple cobbler recipe is the perfect rendition for all of the apple lovers of the world. It's so gooey, moist, perfectly sweet, and truly delicious. Plus, there's an amazing bold cheddar-herb flavor from the twist with the biscuits.

I'm definitely making this apple cheddar cobbler again. While this dish is intended for dessert, you can change things up a bit for the entire family by eating this for brunch and it makes amazing leftovers --It's so versatile and the savory-sweet flavor is dynamite. Plus it's satisfyingly filling, the perfect sweet treat or snack, and just as good as the classic.

Top Reasons Why You'll Love this Apple Cobbler!

• It’s absolutely delicious—-sweet in all of the right places + full of warm, savory flavor!
• Super easy to make (plus, no crazy clean-up! Can we say–Everything in one skillet?)
• Fully old-fashioned with amazing layers of soft + fluffiness from the topping + tenderness from the filling.
• Comes with a gluten-free option for those with gluten sensitivity or diet restrictions.
• A recipe that everyone in the family will enjoy!
• Perfect for any time of day—Breakfast (if that’s your thing), Brunch, or dessert----whatever!

How to Make Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits

If you're wondering how to pack all of the classic Southern flavors and textures in just one dessert like this Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits, then here's the rundown.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a medium-sized non-stick deep skillet with butter and oil. Mix together the sliced apples and the filling ingredients and toss until apples are coated. Add apple mixture to skillet and set aside.

Whip together the biscuit topping, scoop on biscuit dough, brush with egg wash, and bake cobbler for 35-40 minutes or until deep brown and filling is bubbling. Serve with your favorite topping and wallah!

The Ingredients

One of the highlights of this apple cobbler recipe is of course the gooey, spiced filling. You'll need:

• Apples. The absolute star of this dish; I tend to mix Gala Apples with Granny Apples for a nice ying-yang of flavor.
• Brown Sugar. Creates a beautiful caramelization and sweetness to the top layer. You can also use brown coconut sugar as a great alternative.
• Cane sugar. I use organic sugar. Feel free to substitute with organic brown sugar or coconut sugar.
• Cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. For more warming flavors and it amplifies the apple notes in this recipe!
• Vanilla extract. The pure vanilla is the best flavor.
• Lemon juice. I love to use freshly-squeezed lemon juice for a hint of lemony flavor. This adds acidity to the cobbler which adds great structure and texture as well as a nice tartness that compliments the apples.
• Canned Coconut Cream or Milk. Makes things nice + creamy; If using canned coconut milk, be sure to refrigerate overnight to make it thick.
• Maple Syrup. Used as a sweetener and creates a nice creaminess to apples. Can sub with brown sugar or Agave.
• Cornstarch. Used as a thickening agent for the filling. You can also substitute with flour, arrowroot, tapioca flour, etc.

Cheddar Herb Biscuit Topping Ingredients

The second highlight of this apple cobbler is the Cheddar Herb Biscuits topping which only requires:

• All-purpose flour. I like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur’s organic flour, which is certified vegan. 
• Baking powder. This is essential to help your cobbler topping rise. You can also use self-rising flour.
• Cane sugar. I use organic sugar. Feel free to substitute with organic brown sugar or coconut sugar.
• Cheddar cheese. Makes things nice + creamy; plus, adds such rich cheesy flavor. You can use sharp or mild cheddar.
• Herbs + Seasonings. A great addition of flavor. Adds such savoriness nice + a beautiful kick of spice. You'll need parsley, thyme, oregano, basil, and garlic powder.
• Vegan butter. I like to bake with salted vegan butter, however, you can substitute with unsalted vegan butter and add additional salt. Needs to be VERY COLD!
• Buttermilk. You can use store-bought buttermilk or make your own by mixing Almond milk + lemon juice together. The milk should be cold.
• Eggs. Along with water or milk, creates the 'egg wash' to make biscuit tops golden brown.

To Peel or To Not Peel Apples?

It is entirely up to you! I've made this recipe both ways and enjoy them both. I usually make this apple cheddar cobbler for my family, and my kids sometimes won't eat it with the skins on, so I peel them most of the time. I'm sure it goes without saying, but if you choose to leave the skins on, make sure to wash the apples thoroughly!

Best Types of Apples for this Cobbler

Even though this skillet apple cobbler is based on using Gala apples, you can also switch things up and add a slightly new flare in their flavor profile by adding any of the following apples for a bit more sweetness or tart:

• Granny Smith
• Honeycrisp
• Fuji
• Pink Lady
• Golden Delicious
• Braeburn
• and more!

What Can Be Cooked in a Cast-Iron Skillet?

With skillets, I love using cast-iron skillets that are premium in their coating and make, much like Le Crueset or Staub skillets. However, when it comes to making meals in my favorite skillet, I truly enjoy switching things up and keeping breakfasts, dinners, + desserts in my house interesting by making any of the following:

• Pizza
• Any kind of chicken (in the oven or stovetop)
• Pancakes
• Lasagna
• Brownies
• Sandwiches (paninis, grilled cheese, etc.)
• Oatmeal
• Galettes
• Crisps
• Stews
• And the list goes on.

What Other Fruits Can I Use Besides Apples?

Whether you make this apple cobbler a few times or you just want to switch things up, you can totally substitute the apples for other fruit like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries. Of course, you can also just make a great Peach Cobbler instead too!

Can I Use Another Plant-Based Milk?

Yes, you can use any dairy-free milk you like to make this apple cheddar cobbler. Here are some easy recipes to make your own milk that’s cheaper and so easy!

• Quinoa Milk
• Coconut Milk
• Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk
• How to Make Potato Milk
• Ultra Creamy Homemade Oat Milk
• Cauliflower Milk

Homemade Vs. Store-bought Biscuits.

When it comes to the traditional cobbler as I previously mentioned, there aren't savory biscuits included---it's actually a sweet or spiced filled biscuit topping. However, for this dish, I wanted to add extra pizazz to this delicious recipe by adding Cheddar Herb Biscuits on top.

While these biscuits are super easy to whip together, if you're pinched for time or just don't feel like making biscuits for a quick dessert treat, you can always use store-bought biscuits. Simply take them out of their packaging and place them evenly on top, brush with a herb butter mixture (mixing together melted butter + herbs) and let it bake. Wallah!

How to Make your Own Homemade Self-Rising Flour?

Basically, self-rising flour is a flour that includes baking powder and salt that's already added. If you'd prefer to use this type of flour for ease, feel free! However, if you don't----just follow my recipe which adds flour + baking powder + salt, which is all that's needed.

BISCUIT TIP: GRATE + CUBE THE BUTTER!

Yes---I know. You might be wondering why I've stated this but it works. Since we'll be using 6 Tbsps of butter in this recipe, I simply cube half of the amount butter and grate the other half. Honestly, I think that the variation in the butter pieces helps some to melt faster and settle more in the dough, which creates a beautiful flakiness like no other for these cheddar herb biscuits atop this apple cobbler recipe.

How to Know If Your Baking Powder + Baking Soda are Fresh

Baking is such a science, but more importantly because certain ingredients like your leaveners (aka baking powder + baking soda) are completely fresh so that your biscuits (and other baked goods) fully rise and bake through nicely.

Incase you weren’t aware, there’s an easy to double check both the baking powder and baking soda. Here’s what you need:

BAKING SODA HACK:

-Add 1 teaspoon baking soda with ¼ cup vinegar or lemon juice in a bowl and if it’s fresh, the mixture should “bubble/fizz”. If no bubble/fizz is present, then your baking soda needs to be replaced.

BAKING POWDER: 

-Add 1 teaspoon baking powder with ¼ cup Hot tap water in a bowl and if it’s fresh, the mixture should “bubble/fizz”. If no bubble/fizz is present, then your baking powder needs to be replaced.

The Best Egg Wash Alternatives

As you may know, using an 'egg wash' is important when it comes to biscuit toppings and with this apple cobbler, it's no different. Of course, if you can't use regular beaten eggs as egg wash or just don't want to in the moment, now worries! Here are great alternatives:

• Aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas) ---- just lightly brush some unto your biscuit topping for a nice golden look.
• Almond milk (or whatever milk used) + maple syrup --- believe it or not, but mixing the two together works just like regular egg wash would.
• Melted unsalted vegan butter ---- just a light brush of melted butter goes a long way!

Common Q + A's for this Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits

More Delicious Apple Recipes to Try Next!

Now that you've fallen in love with the apples in this recipe, put them to good use with these other delicious apple recipes that the entire family will love:

• Baked Vegan Apple Cider Donuts
• Homemade Vegan Apple-Cinnamon Pop Tarts
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Porridge
• Vegan Apple Cinnamon Bread
• Apple Cinnamon Olive Oil Cake
• Healthy Breakfast Apple Crumble Oatmeal Bowl
• Starbucks Copycat Apple Crisp Oatmilk Latte
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake
• Warm Vegan Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
• Dairy-Free Caramel Apple Cider

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.

Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits

October 17, 2023 •

By Shanika

5 from 2 votes

This Dairy-Free Apple Cobbler with Cheddar Herb Biscuits is the perfect warming fall recipe and tastes just like Grandma used to make with a twist! A comfort food dessert classic, get ready for the smell of gooey cinnamon-spiced apples based under fluffy cheddar herb biscuits for the best savory-sweet combo!

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Serves: 6 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

CHEDDAR HERB BISCUITS [TOPPING]:

• 2 cups organic all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup organic cane sugar
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 6 Tbsps VERY COLD vegan butter, cut into pieces (I like to use salted)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded dairy-free sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Almond milk, VERY COLD
• 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice

FILLING:

• 6 medium organic Gala apples, sliced (About 6 cups or so)
• ½ cup organic cane sugar
• ¼ cup organic brown sugar
• 2 Tbsps cornstarch (See Notes)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk/cream, organic
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

OTHER:

• 1 egg wash (That's 1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk mixed together)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a medium 10-inch deep skillet with butter or oil.

TO MAKE THE APPLE FILLING:

• In a large bowl, add the sliced apples and toss them together the lemon juice, coconut milk/cream, maple syrup, cane sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and vanilla, mixing until combined and blueberries are fully coated. Place the apples mixture into the prepared skillet and set aside.

TO MAKE THE CHEDDAR HERB BISCUITS (TOPPING):

• Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Fold in the sharp cheddar cheese until combined.
• Add in the cold cubed butter and using a pastry cutter or fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it looks like 'pea-sized' clumps. 
• Slowly add in the 'buttermilk' (milk + lemon juice mixed together) and gently stir everything together until combined and the mixture is moistened. NOTE: DON'T OVER-MIX!

ASSEMBLE + BAKE:

• In a bowl, whisk together the egg and milk to create the egg wash.
• In the skillet with the apple filling, top with biscuits by using an ice cream scoop and scooping about 2 Tbsps of biscuit dough and placing it atop filling mixture. Repeat until all biscuits are placed atop.
• Lightly brush biscuits with a bit of egg wash and bake for 35-40 minutes or until biscuits are deep golden brown (or a more amber-like color), crisp on the outside but cooked through (comes out clean) when tested with a toothpick or knife, and apple filling is bubbling through. NOTE: Your filling should be 'thickened' and not too watery.
• Remove the cobbler from the oven, slightly cool, and serve immediately with a scoop of your favorite dairy-free ice cream or coconut whipped cream!
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Store any leftovers in a tightly covered container or glass dish covered and refrigerated for 2-3 days before the topping begins to get mushy. To reheat, simply add leftover apple cobbler to a preheated oven of 375 degrees until warmed through.
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make the biscuit topping GF, simply substitute the flour with GF All-Purpose flour or 1-to-1 GF Baking Flour, which Bob's Red Mill has a great one! Ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly (i.e. stock, etc.). Also, ensure that coconut milk/cream, baking powder, and cornstarch are GF-friendly.
• GRATED + CUBED BUTTER: To create a beautifully crumbly and flaky biscuit topping, I suggest grating your butter instead of cutting them into cubes. To grate your butter, add the butter to a freezer for 15 minutes. Remove from freezer and using a grater, grate into pieces. 
• SALTED VS. UNSALTED BUTTER: You can always substitute the salted vegan butter with unsalted vegan butter. When doing so, you can omit the salt as an ingredient.
• COCONUT CREAM: I love using canned coconut cream from Thai Kitchen or Edwards & Sons, however, you can always use canned coconut milk as well and refrigerate it overnight to cream more creaminess.
• APPLES: Best apples to use for this crisp are: Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 406mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 3mg

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