This Healthy Apple Crisp is so easy to make and is naturally vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. It’s loaded with apples and topped off with a crispy topping made from oats and almond flour. Serve it up on its own or top it off with your favourite ice cream!

an apple crisp in a round baking dish with three scoops of vanilla ince cream on top

What makes this apple crisp healthier?

Looking for a go-to dessert that is both healthy and easy to make? Look no further, this is it!

I love making crisps. They’re one of the easiest desserts to make and you can really use any fruit you have on hand. Whether it’s strawberry rhubarb crisp, pear crisp or apple crisp, it’s a simple dessert that is light, fruity and a crowd pleaser!

Sometimes apple crisp recipes can be made with a lot of added sugar, oils and butter to create a tasty but not-so-healthy crisp. And since apples are so delicious on their own, I wanted to create a healthier version to really let the apples shine.

This recipe for healthy apple crisp is made with less sugar and less oil/or butter than a regular crisp and uses a combination of oats and almond flour for a gluten-free crisp topping. It still tastes sweet and indulgent but only has 18 grams of sugar, (mostly natural sugars from the apples) 9 grams of healthy fats and 5 grams of fiber per serving.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • This is the perfect easy apple dessert recipe that doesn’t require any fuss with making pie dough.
  • It’s the perfect recipe to use up any of those Fall apples from apple picking.
  • This apple crisp is relatively low in calories with 230 calories per serving.
  • The crisp topping is like a crunchy oatmeal cookie that is high in fibre and protein.
  • This crisp stores well in the fridge for 3-4 days so it can be enjoyed again and again! (If it lasts that long.)

Ingredients & substitutions

A flat lay of ingredients for healthy apple crisp

  • Oats: To make this Healthy Apple Crisp gluten-free, make sure to use gluten-free oats. Otherwise, any quick oats or rolled oats will work just fine!
  • Almond flour: This gives the crisp some more protein and adds helps the topping come together. You can substitute any type of flour you like.
  • Coconut sugar: This type of sugar (also known as palm sugar) has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, so it won’t leave you with that *sugar high.* You can substitute brown sugar here if needed.
  • Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg. Definitely recommend using both of these spices in this recipe!
  • Salt: to help balance out the flavour.
  • Coconut oil: You can also use dairy-free butter or regular butter.
  • Lemon: Fresh lemon is preferred!
  • Apples: McIntosh, Cortland, Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are all great options!

What is the difference between apple crisp and crumble?

The main difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble is all in the topping.

A crisp topping is generally made with a base of oats. Whereas crumble topping is more of a streusel-like topping made from a mix of flour, butter and sugar. Though some people use the name interchangeably now for these two desserts.

How do you slice apples for apple crisp?

There are two main ways you can slice your apples for a crisp. Either in slices or in cubes.

For both of these options, you’ll want to start by removing the skin from your apples using a peeler. Simply peel away all the skin and discard. Then cut the apples in quarters. cut along the center to remove the seeds and stem. Then slice into thinner slices, or chop up into cubes.

Slices will give a crisp more texture as pieces hold together more, whereas cubes will give you a bit more of a softer texture. Both ways are delicious!

How to make a healthy Apple Crisp

Step 1

Peel the apples and cut them into slices. You can also cut the apples into small cubes. It all depends on your personal preference! Then toss them in a bowl with some spice and lemon juice.

Sliced apples in a bowl

Step 2

Next, Prepare the healthy crumble topping by adding the topping ingredients to a food processor and pulsing until everything is incorporated. You can also do this by hand in a large bowl.

  • A food processor with oats, coconut sugar and almond flour in it
  • a food processor with blended crisp topping in it

Step 3

Layer the apples on the bottom of a baking dish. Make sure to spread the apples out in an even layer. Then use your hands to sprinkle the crisp topping over the apples evenly.

unbaked apple crisp in a baking dish

Step 4

Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes until golden brown on top.

a baked apple crisp in a round white baking dish

Tips for making this recipe perfectly

  • Use Honeycrisp, granny smith, Mcintosh or Cortland apples for best results.
  • Don’t forget to peel the apples! Apple peel will be tough in the crisp and will make it less enjoyable.
  • Use quick oats if you prefer a smaller crumble in your topping, or rolled oats if you prefer a chewier/nuttier texture in your topping.
  • Use room temperature coconut oil or butter. This will give you a more crumbly dough and will result in a delicious crisp topping.
  • You do not need to cover this crisp while baking. Make sure to bake it in the middle rack of your oven.

Storage tips

Fridge: store any leftover apple crisp covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Eat directly out of the fridge or warm in the oven or microwave

Freezer: Let the crisp cool completely, then cover well with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw on the countertop then warm in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through.

Healthy apple crisp FAQ

Is apple cobbler the same as apple crisp?

No. An apple cobbler is made with a pie dough or biscuit topping. Apple crisp is made with an oat-based streusel topping.

What is the best apple for a crisp?

The best apples to use are honey crisp, granny smith, gala, pink lady, Mcintosh and Cortland.

a serving spoon scooping some apple crisp out of a baking dish

Watch how to make this healthy apple crisp recipe

More apple recipes to try

If you tried this Healthy Apple Crisp or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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Healthy Apple Crisp

★★★★★ 4.9 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This Healthy Apple Crisp is easy to make and healthy enough that you can even eat it for breakfast!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 apples, peeled and cut into slices
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • pinch of
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, room temperature (or butter or vegan butter)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F 
  2. In a bowl mix the apples, lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon together
  3. In a food processor or bowl, mix together the oats, almond flour, coconut sugar and remaining cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until everything is incorporated. (If using a bowl, use a fork or your hands, mash the coconut oil or butter into the dry mixture until it’s well incorporated and forms small clumps.)
  4. Layer the apples in an 8×8 inch baking dish then sprinke the crisp topping on top of the apples.
  5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown on top. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. 

Notes

Use Honeycrisp, granny smith, Macintosh or Cortland apples for best results.

You can use quick oats or rolled oats for the crisp topping. Do not use steel cut oats! 

Use room temeprature oil or butter rather than melted. This will result in the best texture for the crisp topping. 

You do not need to cover the crisp while baking. 

Store leftovers in the fridge covered for up to 5 days. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 100mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 39g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 3g

Keywords: healthy apple crisp, vegan apple crisp, gluten-free apple crisp

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