This gluten-free buckwheat apple galette epitomizes fall baking with the warm flavors of maple syrup and maple sugar meeting tart apple slices and toasty buckwheat. Free of refined sugar. This post was created in collaboration with Coombs Family Farms.
It’s no secret that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because PIE. This galette recipe starts with my gluten-free pie crust dough, which requires a few different flours and a bit of technique to make, but yields a light, flaky, shatteringly crisp crust that rivals wheat dough.
It’s the recipe that prompted me to write an entire book about seasonal desserts made with flavorful flours. In other words, I was ins-PIE-ered.
If you’re new to pie-like things, this sort of rustic, rectangular tart is an ideal place to start as it requires minimal manipulation of the dough. Gluten-free dough is more brittle than wheat dough, so wrestling it into a pie pan can be intimidating, and so can fluting edges, weaving lattices, and blind-baking bottom crusts. This tart doesn’t require any of that. Just roll the dough out between two pieces of parchment paper into a large rectangle (if you’ve made the puff pastry-esque turns as called for in the recipe, the dough will want to be rectangular anyway), fill with sweet or savory ingredients, and use the parchment to help you fold over the edges. Throw it in the oven and call it dinner. Or dessert.
The buckwheat version of my pie dough gets a boost of flavor from buckwheat flour, which is made from roasted, ground buckwheat groats that lend a toasty warmth akin to cinnamon and hazelnuts. In Alternative Baker, this version houses a very creamy pumpkin pie and a batch of pear galettes drizzled with salty caramel. Here it forms an earthy base for rich maple walnut frangipane layered with slices of tart apples and finished with a generous drizzle of amber-hued maple syrup. I took a tip from Yossy Arefi's beautiful book Sweeter Off the Vine for apple styling inspiration.
Maple is hands down my favorite sweetener. It comes from trees. It’s minimally processed. It contains trace amounts of minerals. It supposedly doesn’t spike your blood sugar the way honey, sugar, and agave do. But mostly I love it for its warm, rich flavor that reminds me of walks in the woods and colorful fall foliage. The day I discovered maple sugar was a particularly happy occasion; it has an extra-concentrated maple flavor but none of the moisture, so you can swap it with regular sugar in recipes.
In this buckwheat apple galette, maple sugar adds extra depth to the walnut frangipane while allowing the crust to stay crisp, and it keeps the galette free of any refined sugar, too. Coombs Family Farm maple syrup and maple sugar are the ones I’ve stocked in my pantry for years. I love that they’re organically grown in the US on a 150-year-old family farm that practices sustainable forestry, preserving habitats for wildlife and making yummy sweeteners at the same time. Their maple syrup comes in a lighter amber variety, which has a delicate flavor and golden hue, and a darker grade, which tastes extra rich and mapley. Sometimes I specify one or the other in a recipe, but I’ve made this tart using both and we love them equally.
Cut this buckwheat apple galette into squares to eat out of hand with coffee, and you’ll feel like you’re in a French patisserie enjoying a fancy pastry. Or serve up slices warm and dolloped with crème fraiche or vanilla ice cream, and you’ll be transported to all the best apple pies you’ve ever enjoyed. Flaky crust redolent with toasty buckwheat and caramelized butter will shatter as you crunch through the crust, meeting creamy frangipane, tart apples, and a topnote of maple kissed with flaky salt.
I hope you enjoy this buckwheat apple galette as much as we do! Many thanks to Coombs Family Farms for sponsoring this post, as well as continuing to make delicious maple syrup the traditional way.
*Thanks for reading! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this buckwheat apple galette, I’d love to see! Tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet.*
Buckwheat Apple Galette with Maple Walnut Frangipane {gluten-free, refined sugar-free}
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Gluten-Free Buckwheat Crust:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) ice water
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) cold buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (80 g) sweet white rice flour (Mochiko)
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (40 g) GF oat flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 cup (25 g) buckwheat flour
- 1/4 cup (30 g) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons (13 g) tapioca flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons (15 g) finely ground chia seed
- 1 tablespoon (10 g) Coombs Family Farms maple sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 8 tablespoons (113 g) cold, unsalted butter (preferably European style), sliced 1/4-inch thick
Maple Walnut Frangipane:
- 1 cup (90 grams) raw walnut halves
- 6 tablespoons (60 grams) Coombs Family Farms maple sugar
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) sweet rice flour
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
To Finish:
- 5 medium granny smith or other tart baking apples (about 1 ¾ pounds / 800 g)
- juice from ½ a lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tiny cubes
- 2 tablespoons Coombs Family Farm maple syrup (either amber or dark), plus more for drizzling
- 1 egg, beaten well
- crème fraiche, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream, for serving
- flaky salt, for serving
Instructions
Make the crust:
- Combine the ice water and buttermilk in a small pitcher and chill until needed. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the sweet rice, oat, and buckwheat flours with the cornstarch, tapioca flour, ground chia seed, sugar, and salt. Scatter the butter pieces over the top and place the lid on the food processor, but don’t process yet! Simultaneously pour the cold buttermilk mixture through the feed tube in a slow and steady stream while pulsing the food processor all the while until all the liquid is added and the butter is broken down into chunks of varying sizes from tiny peas to lima beans. The dough should hold together when squeezed; if it needs more liquid to come together, gently pulse in a tablespoon or two more ice water.
- Press the dough into a ball, flatten into a disc in a large piece of plastic wrap or beeswax wrap, wrap tightly, and chill until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
- Let the dough soften at room temperature for 10 – 20 minutes to make it easier to roll. On a surface dusted lightly with oat flour, roll the chilled dough out into a rough square that is about ¼-inch thick. As you work, dust the top of the dough with oat flour, using a dry pastry brush to sweep away the excess. When the dough begins to stick to the work surface, use a bench scraper to move it to one side, dust the surface with more flour, and return the dough to the surface to continue rolling. Don’t worry if the dough crumbles and wants to fall apart, just press it back together. Once the dough is rolled out, fold it in thirds like folding a letter, then roll it up from a skinny end into a loose spiral. Gently press to flatten it slightly, and chill for 30 minutes. Optionally (preferably), repeat this step once more. The dough will get smoother and easier to work with as you make these turns.
Make the frangipane:
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the walnuts, maple sugar, sweet rice flour, and salt. Process to a fine powder. Add the butter and eggs and process until silky smooth. Chill until needed.
Assemble the tart:
- Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400ºF.
- Let the dough stand at room temperature until slightly softened, 5 minutes in a warm kitchen or 15 minutes in a cool kitchen. Sandwich the dough between 2 large pieces of parchment paper dusted lightly with oat flour, and gently begin pressing it flat, then roll it into a 12 by 16-inch (30 by 40-cm) rectangle. As you work, periodically peel back the top piece of parchment, dust the dough lightly with oat flour, replace the parchment, grasp the dough sandwich with both hands and flip the whole thing over. Peel off the new top piece of parchment, dust with flour and continue to roll. If the dough is uneven, cut off the long bits and press them onto the short bits, rolling to adhere. When your rectangle measures 12 by 16 inches (30 by 40 cm), trim the sides so that they’re even and straight. If your dough becomes soft or sticky at any point, slip it onto a baking sheet, parchment and all, and chill it for 10–20 minutes to firm the butter. When the crust is rolled out, spread the frangipane over it in an even layer leaving a 1-inch border on each side. Slide the crust onto a baking sheet (unrimmed if you’ve got one), still on the parchment, and chill until firm, 20 minutes.
- While the crust chills, use a T-shaped vegetable peeler to peel the apples. Holding each apple upright, cut the flesh away from the core in 4 or 5 large pieces. With a cut-side down, cut each apple piece lengthwise into 1/8-inch thick slices, keeping the pieces together and discarding (or noshing on) the rounded end pieces. Drizzle the apples with the lemon juice to prevent them from oxidizing and to up the acidity.
- When the crust has chilled, place slices from about one-quarter of an apple (roughly 5 slices) over the top corner of the frangipane lengthwise, fanning and flattening them them out slightly. Place another quarter of an apple next to the first quarter crosswise snuggling them as close to the first apples as you can (they will shrink a bit in the oven). Repeat with the remaining apples, making a crosshatch pattern and placing the apples close together. Use the parchment to help fold the dough edges over the apples to make a crust, pressing the corners to adhere. Dot the apples all over with the butter and drizzle with the 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg. If the dough has become soft to the touch, chill until firm, 15-30 minutes.
- Bake the tart until the apples have begun to caramelize around the edges and the bottom of the crust is crisp, 40-50 minutes, rotating after 30 minutes for even baking. Let cool to warm or room temperature. Drizzle all over with maple syrup, dust with pinches of flaky salt, cut into squares, and serve with crème fraiche. The tart is best the day of baking when the crust is crisp, but extra tart keeps well, refrigerated airtight, for up to 3 days. For best reheating results, place a slice in a skillet set over low heat until the crust is crisp and the topping is warm, about 5 minutes.
Janet says
WHAT is UP with the DROPLETS and DRIZZLES in these PHOTOS. I have so much to do today and now I am all MUST. MAKE. GALETTE. You put some hypno magic in with the beautiful lighting and apple geometry. Jeez.
Tina says
Best comment ever. And now i have your blog bookmarked and am looking forward to reading through it.
Alanna says
@Tina - so glad you made it here! Hope you enjoy. :)
Alanna says
@Janet - Shucks. <3
christine says
Alanna this is STUNNING! I've been thinking up how to put a spin on frangipane (one of my favourites) lately and I feel so inspired by your walnut maple version! As usual, your photos make me want to just crawl into the screen. I'm dying to make this one!
Alanna says
Aw, thank you lovely! I wish I could share some slices with you through the screen. Can't wait to see what gorgeous frangipaney thing you make! <3
Julia says
The photos are amazing! If only I could have been there when you took it out from the oven :)
Alanna says
Aw! We need help eating it, so the feeling is mutual. :)
Rachel @Clean Eating for the Non-Hippie says
This is lovely in every way - beautiful ingredients, wish I could dig in right now!!!!
Alanna says
Thanks so much Rachel!
Jessie says
YUM! We've been eating this Galette for dessert all week. Once again I thank the heavens for making you my sister! I could eat this "Pie Thing" All Day. Every Day. All Year.
Alanna says
Awwwwwww! I'm so glad you guys liked it (and that Jock let you have some, haha). I'm glad you're my sister too. <3
Jennifer olson says
Can I use pears instead of apples?
Alanna Taylor-Tobin says
Yes, that would be delicious! Ideally the pears would be ripe but still holding a shape.
Heather says
Hi Alanna,
Just wondering what you would suggest could be substituted instead of using sweet rice flour, as I'm having trouble sourcing...?
Looks delicious!
Alanna says
Hi Heather, I'm sorry you're having trouble finding the sweet rice flour - that's so frustrating! If you can find Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF AP flour, that's based on sweet rice flour and might work well enough. You could also try a blend of regular white rice flour and more tapioca, maybe 50/50? It might make the crust gummy or chewy though. If you have a little time, Bob's Red Mill makes sweet rice flour that can be ordered online. Let me know what you end up trying!
Iva @ culinary postcards says
I absolutely love combination of buckwheat flour and apples..but your addition of walnut frangipane makes this an amazing dessert! I promise myself to make this asap :)
Alanna says
Aw, thank you Iva! Please let me know if you give it a go. :)
Pookie says
Im a new reader to your blog because of this dessert. A friend made this for me the other night, and it was glorious. Long ago I gave up making a decent gf pastry, but this was absolutely delicious and perfectly crispy. As luck would have it, I have all the components for the recipe on hand, and my friend's leftover frangipane, so I'm going to attempt this today. :)
Alanna says
What a nice friend! I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the galette and pastry crust - yay! Please let me know how it goes. :)
Mika says
Seriously, that gorgeous Apple "geometry" it making my heart sing! You turned the whole galette into a beautiful work of art. Guhhh. Must eat galette. And learn to take those photos.
Alanna says
Aw thank you Mika!
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
This is stunning in every way! You just turned the galette into art. :)
Alanna says
You sweetheart! Thank you Laura. <3
Gabrielle says
Oh my goodness your photos!! They are so amazing. Beautiful!! Also this tart sounds so delicious. I'm with you on the maple syrup love!
Alanna says
Aw, thank you Gabrielle!
Ashley Labat says
I have been looking for a buckwheat crust recipe and here it is! So excited about this. Few things though...could I sub brown rice flour for the sweet rice flour? And cold coconut oil for the butter? And maybe a vegan almond milk based buttermilk? That’s probably taking it too far but curious for your thoughts. My husband is dairy free and always looking for alternatives (and i just don’t have the sweet rice flour on hand). Thanks!!
Alanna says
Hi Ashley! I've been really liking Miyoko's vegan butter - if you happen to have access to it, I think it might work better than coconut oil. But coconut oil will work, you'll just want to incorporate it into the dough a little more, and may need to add more liquid. You can just use all ice water in place of the liquid plus a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for acidity that helps keep the dough tender. I would NOT recommend using brown rice flour in place of sweet rice however. The stickiness of the sweet rice flour is important to helping the dough hold it together. You can find sweet rice flour at Asian markets or order it through Amazon or Bob's Red Mill. Or you could try Bob's 1 to 1 mix which is based on sweet rice flour. Let me know what you end up trying!
Eliza says
Hi Alanna,
Thanks for yet another gorgeous recipe! I'm going to try this for Thanksgiving tomorrow.
Question: I don't have tapioca flour or chia seeds. Are these important for stickiness of the dough? Could I substitute xanthan gum, maybe?
Alanna says
Awesome! You can use xanthan gum in place of the chia (maybe try 1/2 teaspoon?) and maybe swap the tapioca for equal parts sweet rice and cornstarch? Let me know what you end up trying! :)
Jonathan says
Is there a way to grind whole chia seeds?
I don't have tapioca flour either and will let you know how the equal parts work
Alanna says
I grind mine in a coffee grinder! Yes please let me know how it goes with those substitutions. :)
Jackie says
Hi Alanna
Can I substitute oat flour with more buckwheat or quinoa flour? Also replace tapioca with corn flour?
Thanks
Jackie
Alanna says
Hi Jackie, I would try the recipe as written once if possible, then do some experimenting. If it's due to allergies, then I would suggest using millet in place of the oat flour and extra corn starch or sweet rice for the tapioca. Let me know what you try!
Claudia says
Hi Alanna,
just wanted to stop by quickly and say: THIS LOOKS AMAZING!! :) *drool* If this tastes even half as good as it looks, then someone, please bake this for me right now!
Alanna says
Aw, thanks so much Claudia!
Erin says
I've come back to this post a couple of times now just to look at the pictures. Going to have to make it very, very soon I think!
x
Alanna says
Awwwwww, that means so much to me! I've done that with MANY of your photos too. <3
Sarah says
Hi Alana! I noticed that in the pictures you folded the edges of the crust over after filling it with apples but couldn't find that step in the instructions, could you add in an explanation of that? Thanks!
Alanna says
Hi Sarah! Oooh you're right, thanks for catching that omission. Updated! :)
Margaret says
Hi Alanna,
I'd love to make this but don't have maple sugar. I was thinking of subbing with organic sugar mixed with 1 tsp of maple extract. Would that do the trick?
I bought your book btw and the recipe for the sponge roll is now my go-to recipe for all roulades. Brilliant and easy to make! I'm thinking of experimenting now with pistachio flour etc.. any thoughts on which "flour" to exchange the new one with? Millet? Oat? Thanks so much.
Alanna says
Hi Margaret,
Aw, I'm so glad you're liking the recipes from AB! That roulade got tested many, many times, haha. Pistachio flour sounds amazing! I'd probably trade it in for the millet flour; it may take some experimentation since nut flours absorb less moisture than millet and have a coarser texture. But I bet it will make the cake extra moist and yummy! Please let me know what you end up trying!!
For this galette, I think regular sugar will work great. I'm not sure how strong maple extract is and whether 1 t will be overpowering or not, but go with your gut (and come back and tell me how it turned out!)
Meghna says
Hi Alanna!
I follow you on Instagram and swooned when I saw this galette ! I have been trying to make a good crispy gf galette for a while now! I made this recipe today and I am in heaven! the whole layers and ingredients are just wonderful! I have never made such a fancy tart and the frangipane before and I am in heaven! I substituted brown rice flour for the sweet rice flour, flaxseed powder for the chia powder, arrowroot starch for the cornstarch, coconut oil for the butter and it was all fantastic! I am in awe with the method and recipe for the galette base..I feel like a proper baker! Will be making more for sure and will be sharing pics of my version on Insta super soon (will tag you!:))
Alanna says
Aw, thanks so much for trying my recipe and for the super sweet words! I'm so glad that those crust substitutions worked, too! I'll have to try your version. :)
Kim says
I baked this today and it was amazing! I subbed chestnut flour for the buckwheat and used pecans instead of walnuts in the frangipane. Also I had the right weight of apples but it was a little short for me (they were large apples too) so I carefully cut the rounded pieces and used them. Should’ve fanned out my apples more.
I took it to my mother-in-law‘s birthday celebration, and all the women raved about it. Mostly gluten eaters, but the gluten-free people really identified what a treasure it was. They literally went on and on about how amazing it was. And they’ve been bakers for years - some are in their 70s!
I was worried I’d made the dough too wet last night, but after one turn and an overnight rest, and two turns this morning - perfection.
Thank you for testing your recipes so thoroughly and sharing them with us here. I’m hoping that Santa delivers your book this year, but regretting I put it on my wish list instead of just buying it a year ago. :-)
Alanna says
I've been wanting to try the pie dough with chestnut flour - so glad to know that it works well and that the tart was a hit! Thanks for the note on the apples, that's really helpful. I hope you get your Alternative Baker wish for Christmas - but if not, it's a steal on Powell's ;)
Alene says
Hi! Hope you're well. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the rice flour. I have never seen this recipe. Is there anyway I could get rid of the sweet rice flour in the crust? It's a half a cup. I love the buckwheat flour in the crust. Sorry to be such a pain. Thank you.
Alanna Taylor-Tobin says
Hi Alene,
I would try using the rice-free AP blend that you like in place of the sweet rice flour here. Let me know how it goes!
-A
Joanna says
What do you think about trying to substitute soy milk soured with a little apple cider vinegar for the buttermilk? Thank you!
Alanna says
That would probably work! You can also leave off the buttermilk and just use more ice water, and add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to keep the batter flaky. Let me know what you try!
Judy says
I have a question: after making the dough and rolling it out, folding and spiral rolling etc. - can the dough then be double wrapped in plastic and placed in a freezer safe plastic bag and frozen - like you said is possible with your regular flour (gluten based) pie dough?
Alanna says
It absolutely can!
Judy says
I made your Apple Galette and one other for a party recently. The first one, I made as written - except I didn't have white chia seed - so I used 1/2tsp xanthan mixed in with the buttermilk and ice water and allowed it to set in the refrigerator for a few minutes, then mixed again until frothy. I have found that hydrocolloids need water to activate the gels and mixing them in with the liquid insures activation in doughs that do not need to be mixed much (as in pastry). The second Galette, I substituted sorghum flour (I used Bobs Red Mill sweet white sorghum flour) for the buckwheat - as sorghum and oat is a really nice combination - and the most flavor wise like regular wheat flour, in my opinion. I again used the xanthan mixed with the liquids, as I didn't have white chia seed. I substituted pistachio nuts for the walnuts in the frangipane - used sliced pears instead of apples - and used rose syrup instead of maple syrup. BOTH Galettes got RAVE reviews from everyone at the party - both gluten free guests AND guests who eat gluten. I would like to add - that over the years I have tried many, many gluten free pie crust recipes, searching in vain for one that did NOT have a short bread or cookie type texture due to added baking powder, was NOT tough or cardboard like, or the flavor so bland from using only rice and starch flours. I nearly gave up - UNTIL I recently stumbled on to your web site. May I say, in my opinion, your pie crust is a REVELATION in gluten free baking. It is as you say "shattering crisp" and so flakey and delicious - EVERYTHING I want in a pie crust, gluten free or not. It's a revelation not just for the flavor that GF whole grains add - but also for the techniques, that your years as a pastry chef demonstrate. During my adventures in gluten free baking, I have discovered time and time again, that techniques play an important role - sometimes more than the ingredients themselves - particularly with gluten free baking. The extra few minutes to employ these techniques can pay off big rewards in taking the baked product from mediocre to great. Gluten free flours need all the help they can get! Thank you for SHARING your expertise in such an artful and delicious way. I have just ordered your cookbook Alternative Baker. I look forward to seeing your other INSPIRED baking creations - and applying them to my pursuit of making gluten free baked products that are NOT just good for gluten free - but instead, WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS by ANY standard!
Alanna says
Hi Judy! Wow thank you so much for the glowing review - this absolutely makes my day! There's so much mediocre baking out there (gluten-free and not) that I really strive to make my recipes worth the effort and calories. I really appreciate your taking the time to write such sweet words! Please let me know what you try from Alternative Baker and if any questions arise. Happy baking! <3
Cassy says
Completely stunning. Made a dairy-free version for Thanksgiving and it was delicious. Whatever wasn't gobbled up I had for breakfast/snack the following day or two and I like it just as well as fresh. This will become a staple in our house. Thanks Alanna!
Julia says
Would it work to freeze the assembled tart and bake it later?
Alanna says
I think that would probably work. Please let me know if you try!
Tanya says
I just did a Thanksgiving test run of this for my husband’s birthday. He has celiac & has not had pastry in who knows how long. Omg, I cannot tell you enough how happy he was to have this delicious dessert! It is so yummy. I’m making it again this Thursday & can’t wait to have another piece. Your recipes have brought great joy to our house. They all turn out amazing the first try! Thank you!
Alanna says
Aw what a lucky husband you have! I'm so glad this was a hit; it's a favorite of mine too! Thanks very much for trying my recipes - I'm thrilled that your household is enjoying them. :D