Healthy Apple Crisp
This Healthy Apple Crisp is an easy Fall inspired recipe—packed with flavor thanks to juicy apples and warming spices! A wholesome make ahead-dessert. Plus it’s vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free.
Nothing screams Fall more than warm apple and cinnamon! The cozy and warm smell from spices will spread along all your kitchen. It’s a MUST for this year’s Thanksgiving table or why not? …For a Christmas dessert!
What I love of this apple, it’s easy to make, it doesn’t take as much work as an apple pie, but it has similarly delicious flavors!
Chunks of juicy apples are nestled in a well-spiced “batter” until perfectly tender. And don’t even get me started on that crumb topping! It’s crispy, golden brown, buttery perfection.
This recipe is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s so delicious that will run out in no time at all!
INGREDIENTS
One of the best part of making this recipe, it is both budget friendly and pantry-friendly.
Apple Base:
- Apples: I used Granny Smith apples for this recipe but honey crisp, golden delicious and gala are great too. You can always use a mix as well. (check final tips) for more specifics.
- Lemon juice. There’s not many desserts that don’t benefit from the addition of citrus zest or juice. It helps balance sweetness.
- Coconut sugar: A natural alternative that has a lower glycemic index than any other conventional sweetener.
- Spices: I stuck with the classic cinnamon and nutmeg combination for this recipe but feel free to add 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom, cloves, allspice or any other spice you enjoy.
- Arrowroot or cornstarch: Keeps the apple filling from getting too watery and provides a gooey texture.
- Vanilla extract: It pairs well with the spices and apples.
Crisp Layer:
- Rolled Oats: Kick off the crisp topping(gluten free if desired) for that crunchy topping. Stick with old fashioned rather than quick oats for the best texture.
- Warm alternative milk:
- Almond flour: I used almond flour, but all purpose (gluten free if desired), whole wheat, and oat flour will all work.
- Vegan butter: Or regular one for a delicious oat topping crisp
- Baking powder: It will help the crisp bake properly.
- Cinnamon: To enhance the cinnamon flavor on our crisp layer.
- Coconut sugar: It will not only sweeten the top of our apple crisp but it will also provide some dark brown.
STEPS TO MAKE HEALTHY APPLE CRISP
- Prep apples: Peel, core and slice the apples.
- Mix the apple base and cook for 6 minutes.
- Transfer the base to a baking pan.
- Stir in a bowl all the ingredients for the crisp layer.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly on the top of your apple mixture.
- Bake until golden brown.
FINAL TIPS
- I cook the apple base with the rest of the ingredients before baking. This will prepare the apples to get tender. So it will prevent over-browning the topping.
- Soak the rolled oats in warm milk or water for 5 minutes. You will get a crispy-tender texture. However, this is only an optional tip.
- I used granny smith apples for this recipe because they have that great tart taste that contrasts nicely with the coconut sugar. Other apples would work but sugar amounts might need to be adjusted.
HOW TO STORE THIS HEALTHY APPLE CRISP
You can store this crisp for up to three days in the refrigerator. Simply warm it up a bit in the microwave or as I like in the toaster oven or enjoy cold straight from the fridge.
The apple crisp is freezer-friendly! Assemble the apple crisp but do not bake it. Cover the crisp well with aluminum foil and transfer it to the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake the frozen apple crisp at 350 degrees for about an hour or until it’s golden and bubbly.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
this recipe is SO GOOD that it really doesn’t even NEED the ice cream. But if you’re a person who enjoys combining texture, warm and cold, you definitively need to try a scoop of vanilla ice cream, melting over this warm apple crisp. It will be a win! Drizzle with some caramel for a perfectly decadent treat.
You’ll like every bit of it. It’s finger-lickin’ good! Enjoy, friends!🌞
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Healthy Apple Crisp
Equipment
- 1 baking dish 8×8
Ingredients
Apple Base
- 2 lb apples (about 6-7 apples), peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch/flour
Crisp Layer
- 1 cup rolled oats (use gluten-free if desired)
- 3 tbsp warm alternative milk or water
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup vegan butter cold
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a deep dish pie plate or large baking dish with butter.
- In a pot over low/medium heat, pour all the apple filling ingredients and stir carefully until you see the mixture is brown and gooey (about 5 minutes). Then, add the apples to the 8×8 baking dish in a few layers.
- Combine all crisp topping ingredients in a medium bowl. I like to use a fork to get them fully combined. Then, Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples.
- Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the juices are bubbling.
This recipe is SO tasty! It’s not overly sweet so the apples really shine. I love the e crispy topping too. It was perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Aw, Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This apple crisp is the BEST I have ever tasted! The perfect blend of sweet and crunchy is soo good. I had it with vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle.
Yeah! It makes me happy to know you liked every bit!