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    Home » Dessert

    Published: Oct 9, 2021 · Modified: Nov 21, 2023 by Kayla · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Healthier Apple Crisp

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This is the best Healthier Apple Crisp ever. It's sweet from the apples and pure maple syrup and has a perfect crunch from the delicious crumble topping. It is also refined sugar free, dairy free, vegan and can also be made gluten free!

    Apple crisp on a white plate, topped with vegan sugar-free ice cream.

    This recipe is perfect for pot lucks or other get togethers such as Thanksgiving dinner. If you're looking for other Thanksgiving desserts, you have to try this Dairy and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie recipe. It's the absolute best one you'll try! Or if you want more apple recipes to make this fall, make these Apple Cider Donuts! They're cakey, moist, and so delicious.

    Jump to:
    • 📝Ingredient Notes
    • 🍯Substitutions
    • 🔪Instructions
    • 🧊Storing
    • ❓Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    Ingredients to make healthier apple crisp.

    📝Ingredient Notes

    Apples: Honey crisp or gala apples work nicely. They're very sweet with the right amount of tartness. I also recommend leaving the skin of the apples on because they're very nutritious! I do not recommend, however, using tart apples such as Granny Smith for this recipe.

    Pure maple syrup: Make sure to use 100% pure maple syrup. Other maple syrups have added ingredients and refined sugars in them.

    🍯Substitutions

    Pure maple syrup: Honey will also work in place of the maple syrup if you are not vegan.

    Whole wheat flour: Make this apple crisp gluten free by swapping the whole wheat flour for oat flour. Make sure your oats are certified gluten free to avoid cross contamination. You could also use Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour instead. It's my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour.

    Oats: If you don't like oats, you can simply leave them out. This will actually make the topping into a crumble rather than a crisp.

    Sliced almonds: Or your choice of chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts.

    Nut-free option: Use sunflower seeds for a crunchy nut-free option.

    Coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used instead of vegan butter.

    🔪Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Wash and thinly slice your apples. Slice along the four sides of the apple, as shown in the photo below, leaving the core in tact in the center with the seeds. Slice each of the four apple pieces in thin slices, about ¼ inch thick.

    Arrows and lines showing you how to slice an apple.

    Place apples in a large mixing bowl and add the remaining ingredients to the apples and mix together until well combined.

    Sliced apple mixture in a large mixing bowl.

    Begin to prepare the crumble topping by placing all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together, then add the coconut oil and maple syrup. Mix until well combined. The mixture should stick together when you press it with your fingers.

    Crumble topping for a healthier apple crisp.

    Spray a 9x9 baking dish with oil and pour in the apple mixture.

    With your hands, crumble the topping over the apples until all of the surface is covered.

    Apple crisp in a white casserole dish before going in the oven.

    Bake in the oven for 35 t0 40 minutes until the crust is nice and golden.

    Some apples could look slightly dry on the top layer. Do not worry. The syrup from the natural sugars and starch collect at the bottom. Once it is scooped out, it will not be noticeable!

    Serve with vegan vanilla ice cream if desired and enjoy!

    Apple crisp on a white plate, topped with vegan sugar-free vanilla ice cream.

    🧊Storing

    Store this apple crisp in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let it warm up for a few minutes.

    ❓Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you prepare this healthier apple crisp in advance?

    Yes. You can prep the apple crisp a few hours in advance. Just store it covered in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

    Is this apple crisp healthy/good for you?

    Healthy is a relative term. I personally don't think healthy is only relative to calories. While this dish is pretty high in calories from the flour, oats, coconut oil, almonds, maple syrup and apples, I think they still provide good nutritional value. I think it's important to look at the quality of the ingredients while still being mindful of what to consume in moderation.

    Can you freeze apple crisp?

    Yes. Apple crisp freezes well both baked and unbaked.

    What's the difference between a cobbler, crumble and a crisp?

    A cobbler uses a biscuit-like batter on top of the fruit. When a cobbler is baked, the topping can resemble a cobblestone street, which is actually where the dish gets its name.

    A crumble is a topping over the spiced fruit that typically includes a combination of butter, flour, sugar and sometimes nuts.

    A crisp is very similar to a crumble. The only difference is that a crisp includes oats and nuts in the topping to give it a crunchier texture.

    What is a good sweet crisp apple?

    Gala or honey crisp!

    Before you go! If you tried this Healthier Apple Crisp recipe and enjoyed it, please leave me a comment and review down below. I love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Apple crisp on a white plate, topped with vegan sugar-free ice cream.

    Healthier Apple Crisp

    Kayla
    This Healthier Apple Crisp is sweet from the apples and maple syrup with a hint of saltiness from the crumble topping. It is refined sugar free, dairy free, vegan and can also be made gluten free!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 451 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Apple Mixture

    • 6 medium sized apples thinly sliced gala or honey crisp
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup optional
    • 2 tablespoons tapioca starch or corn starch
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

    Crumble Topping

    • ¾ cup rolled oats
    • ¾ cup whole wheat flour
    • ½ cup sliced almonds can use chopped
    • ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ cup melted coconut oil
    • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Wash and thinly slice your apples. Slice along the four sides of the apple, leaving the core in tact in the center with the seeds. Slice each of the four apple pieces in thin slices, about ¼ inch thick. 
    • Place apples in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients to the apples and mix together until well combined.
    • Begin to prepare the crumble topping by placing all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together, then add the coconut oil and maple syrup. Mix until well combined. The mixture should stick together when you press it with your fingers.
    • Spray a 9x9 baking dish with oil and pour in the apple mixture.
    • With your hands crumble the topping over the apples until all of the surface is covered.
    • Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the crust is nice and golden.
    • Some apples could look slightly dry on the top layer. Do not worry. The syrup from the natural sugars and starch collect at the bottom. Once it is scooped out, it will not be noticeable!
    • Serve with vegan vanilla ice cream if desired and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 451kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 8gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.003gSodium: 199mgPotassium: 493mgFiber: 10gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 102IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword apple crisp recipe, healthier apple crisp
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Note: Nutrition label is just an estimate. Amounts may vary.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Summer Bourbon says

      October 10, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious. Definitely eat with ice cream it makes it so good🤤

      Reply
      • Kayla says

        October 10, 2021 at 11:22 pm

        Thanks, Summer!

        And yes! Ice cream is a must!!

        Reply
    2. Meredith says

      October 12, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      I had this recipe for my birthday and it easily replaced a traditional loaded down with sugar birthday cake for a guilt free dessert that stole the show! I could eat the crumble topping by itself it’s so delicious!

      Reply
      • Kayla says

        October 12, 2021 at 4:34 pm

        Thank you! This one has to be one of my all time favorite desserts 🙂

        Reply

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    Kayla Daniels.

    HEY THERE! I'M KAYLA.

    I make delicious food that just so happens to be dairy free. It's my goal to help make you excited about what you can eat! So here's a menu of options. Enjoy!

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