This Healthy Apple Crisp is loaded with tender apples and warm spices, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, all topped with a crunchy oatmeal pecan topping for the perfect fall dessert!
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Oh how I love apple season! Nothing says fall more than loads of apples consuming your kitchen. What better way to use those beauties up than with a comforting apple crisp! Not only is this easy apple crisp quick to throw together, but I can promise that your whole kitchen will smell amazing! This is the BEST apple crisp recipe made healthier with whole grain old fashioned oats and using maple syrup as a natural sweetener to keep this apple crisp refined sugar-free.
Why You’ll Love This
- Cozy and comforting – is there anything better than sweet apples, warm spices and crunchy oats all topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?!
- Wholesome ingredients – we are using real ingredients like maple syrup instead of refined sugar to sweeten this apple crisp along with wholesome oats for the perfect healthier dessert!
- Versatile – this apple crisp makes a great option for dessert, brunch or you could even meal prep this for a cozy snack.
- Crowd-pleasing – always such a hit with a crowd and makes the perfect fall dessert to share with your Thanksgiving table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- apples – I love using Honeycrisp apples because of their sweet/tart combo. They hold up really well without getting mushy, but feel free to use whatever fresh apples you like best! Braeburn, Granny Smith, Cortland, Fuji, Pink Lady and Golden Delicious all make great options as well.
- rolled oats – wholesome whole grain old fashioned oats (I used gluten-free) make this apple crumble nice and crunchy. You could also use steel cut oats, however they will have a chewier texture and nuttier flavor.
- oat flour – flour helps the crunchy oat topping come together. You can easily make your own oat flour right at home by blending rolled oats in your food processor or blender! Any type of flour will work for this though, including almond flour or whole wheat flour.
- maple syrup – naturally sweetens these apples without any added sugar and tastes incredible with all the cozy fall flavors! You could also use honey, coconut sugar, brown sugar or other sweetener of choice.
- apple cider vinegar – prevents the apples from browning and helps balance out the sweetness. You could also substitute with fresh lemon juice.
- cornstarch – thickens the sauce and prevents it from becoming watery. You could also use arrowroot powder in place of the cornstarch.
- pecans – makes the topping even crunchier and adds a boost of protein. Feel free to leave them out if nut-free.
- coconut sugar – I like use coconut sugar in place of brown sugar in recipes. This adds sweetness to the oat topping.
- butter (or coconut oil) – I’ve been making this apple crisp for years and both butter and coconut oil work great! Coconut oil has more nutritional value and is a great option if you are vegan or dairy-free, but in my opinion, butter just tastes the best. Feel free to choose whatever works best for you!
- vanilla extract – gives this delicious apple crisp a boost of flavor!
- warm spices – delicious combination of cinnamon, apple pie spice, nutmeg and sea salt.
What Apples Should I Use to Bake With?
I personally prefer Honeycrisp apples when baking because of their sweet/tart combo. I also always happen to have them in our fridge! They hold up really well too without getting mushy. Feel free to use whichever variety you like best though as there are many apples that are great for baking! Braeburn, Cortland, Pink Lady apples and Golden Delicious apples all make great options. Granny smith apples tend to be pretty tart, but if you like tart apples feel free to use them in this recipe.
Try to avoid using McIntosh, Gala, Fuji or Red Delicious apples as they can get mushy when baked, but save those for when you want to make applesauce or cider!
How to Make Apple Crisp
- Prep the apples. Peel and slice the apples then toss the sliced apples together with maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, cornstarch, spices and salt in a large bowl. Mix well until they’re completely coated and transfer them to an 8×8 baking dish or 9×9 baking dish coated in non-stick cooking spray.
- Make the crumble topping. In the bowl you mixed your apples in (we’re trying to save you from cleaning too many dishes here), mix together rolled oats, oat flour, pecans, coconut sugar, and maple syrup. Next add the butter (or solid coconut oil), and if using butter, I recommend cutting it into cubes and using a pastry cutter (or your hands) to really get the butter mixed in with all the other ingredients until the mixture resembles a nice crumble topping.
- Assemble and bake. Sprinkle the crumble over top of the apple filling until evenly covered. Bake the apple crisp in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 40 to 45 minutes. The crisp topping will look golden brown and apples should be soft and tender.
- Serve and enjoy! Serve immediately while apple crisp is warm and I highly recommend topping with vanilla ice cream!
Instead of topping with vanilla ice cream when your sweet tooth hits, try adding a dollop of Greek yogurt as a healthier option for the perfect morning breakfast!
Prepping and Storage
To Store: This healthier apple crisp will last for up to 4 to 5 days covered in your refrigerator in a sealed airtight container. You can easily reheat the whole pan by popping it back in the oven at 350 for 5 to 10 minutes. Leftovers taste even better the next day!
To Freeze: Leftover apple crisp can also be kept in the freezer (either baked or unbaked) for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw the apple crisp completely in the fridge before baking.
Tips, Tricks and Substitutions
- Make sure to use apples that will hold up nicely when baked like Honeycrisp or Braeburn apples. Some apples (like Gala) can get mushy when baked and are best used to make applesauce or cider.
- If you’re in a time crunch (or simply like the taste and texture), feel free to leave the skin on when slicing the apples. Such a time saver and the peel will soften as they bake.
- I like to cut the apples into even slices so that the apple crisp bakes evenly.
- To keep the topping crispy, make sure to use old fashioned rolled oats, and not quick cooking oats, as they tend to get mushy when baking.
- If using coconut oil in place of butter, make sure it’s in solid form at room temperature, not melted, to really get a good crumbly topping that will bake nicely.
- If you have a nut allergy, feel free to leave out the pecans (or walnuts) and you could eve substitute them with crunchy sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- You do not need to cover this apple crisp when baking, but if you notice the oat topping browning too quickly, feel free to cover with foil until warm apples are soft and tender.
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More Apple Desserts
- Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Healthy Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Maple Cinnamon Sautéed Apples
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
More Recipes for Fall Baking
- Healthy Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Soft Iced Pumpkin Cookies
- Baked Banana Bread Donuts
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Hope you all enjoy the BEST Healthy Apple Crisp recipe! If you love this as much as we do, please leave a 
star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!
Healthy Apple Crisp
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Ingredients
For the apple filling:
- 6 apples peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the oatmeal topping:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup pecans finely chopped
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons cold butter cut into cubes (or solid coconut oil)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Peel and slice the apples then toss them together in a large bowl with maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, cornstarch, spices and salt. Mix well until they’re completely coated and transfer them to an 8×8 baking dish or 9×9 baking dish coated in non-stick spray.
- To make the oat topping, mix together rolled oats, oat flour, pecans, coconut sugar, and maple syrup. Next add the butter (or solid coconut oil), and mix well using a pastry cutter (or your hands) to really get everything incorporated until the mixture resembles a nice crumble topping.
- Sprinkle the crumble over top of the apple mixture until evenly covered and bake the apple crisp in the oven for about 40 to 45 minutes. The apple crisp will look golden brown and apples should be soft and tender. (If the oat topping starts browning too quickly, feel free to cover it with foil and continue baking until apples are soft)
- Serve immediately while apple crisp is warm and I highly recommend topping with vanilla ice cream!
Notes
Nutrition
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