Healthy Apple Crisp

This healthy apple crisp is the perfect fall dessert! It is made with wholesome ingredients but tastes as warm and cozy as traditional apple crisp. This apple crisp is easy to make. Healthy enough for breakfast and sweet enough for dessert!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This healthy apple crisp is warmly spiced.
• It has amazing fall flavors!
• Each serving is only 137 calories.
• It is made without any white sugar or refined sugar.
• The apples become soft and tender in the oven.
• The crumbly topping is slightly crunchy and so delicious!
• This recipe is gluten free, nut free, refined sugar free and easily made dairy free.
• Double check that oats are gluten free if needed.
• Check out these Apple Crisp Bars for another fall favorite dessert.

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for healthy apple crisp. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use old fashioned rolled oats for the crumble topping. Instant or quick oats are a little too rough. Use certified gluten free oats if Celiac or gluten free.

For the topping, a little gluten free flour helps thicken it. If not gluten free, feel free to use all purpose flour.

Cinnamon is used in both layers. After all, it is the quintessential fall flavor.

Pure maple syrup helps the topping stick together. Maple syrup is a great refined sugar free sweetener. If desired, replace with honey or date syrup.

Cold unsalted butter adds a buttery flavor to the topping. Use cold butter right from the fridge. The warmth from your hands will help break up the butter. Topping mixture will be crumbly. For dairy free, use vegan butter.

For the filling, use a combination of apples. Use a combination of Granny Smith, honey crisp and MacIntosh or Cortland apples. These apples all have slightly different flavors and textures.

Gluten free flour helps thicken the apple mixture. If not gluten free, all purpose flour works too.

A little cinnamon and nutmeg add a classic flavor to the apples.

Lemon juice helps prevent the apples from turning brown while baking.

For the full butter and sugar version, check out this Gluten Free Apple Crisp.

What is Apple Crisp?

Apple crisp is a traditional fall dessert that features gooey cinnamon apples topped with a streusel oat topping.

This dessert is most popular in September, October and November. In addition, this dessert is commonly made for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Apple crisp and apple crumble traditionally refer to the same dessert. Apple cobbler features an apple filling with a doughy biscuit topping.

This healthy version is made with nutritious ingredients. Additionally, it contains no added sugars.

Taste & Texture

This healthy apple crisp is warmly spiced, filled with apples and cinnamon. The taste is slightly less sweet than traditional apple crisp since there is no added sugar.

The apples are soft and tender. In addition, the oat topping is crunchy and crumbly.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8 inch square pan with nonstick spray.

Step 2

Make crumble topping. Add all topping ingredients to a mixing bowl. Use your fingers or a fork to incorporate cold butter into the other ingredients. Continue mixing until a crumbly mixture is formed. Set aside.

Step 3

Then, make apple filling. Add diced peeled to a large mixing bowl. Add gluten free flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice to the bowl. Toss until fully coated.

Step 4

Place coated apples down into the greased pan. Spread into an even layer.

Step 5

Crumble the topping on top.

Step 6

Bake for 1 hour or until topping is golden brown and the apples are fork tender.

Step 7

Finally, remove healthy apple crisp from oven. Serve warm immediately or chill until needed.

Expert Tips & Tricks

I always recommend carefully measuring ingredients. However, this healthy apple crisp is a slightly more forgiving recipe.

Use rolled oats, not instant oats.

To make the crumble topping, use cold butter. Use hands, fork or pastry cutter to incorporate butter into mixture. See photo above for what it should look like.

For the best flavor, use a variety of apples. Granny Smith add a slight tartness. Honey crisp are naturally sweet. MacIntosh and Cortland apples become nice and soft.

Slice apples into ¼ inch slices. Do not slice into large chunks.

Bake until apples are fork tender and topping is golden brown.

If the topping is golden and the apples are not tender yet, cover with tin foil and continue baking.

How to Serve & Store

Serve healthy apple crisp warm from the oven!

This recipe pairs well with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can be eaten warm or cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

You May Also Like

• Caramel Apple Dip
• Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts
• Almond Flour Apple Muffins
• Apple Strawberry Crumble
• Paleo Grain Free Apple Crisp (Vegan)

If you make this healthy apple crisp recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more sweet treats, check out these Dessert Recipes.

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