Description
This Healthy Apple Crisp is a wholesome twist on the classic dessert, featuring tender maple-sweetened apples topped with a crunchy oat, nut, and coconut oil crumble. Naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and coconut sugar, this apple crisp offers a comforting treat that’s perfect for any season. It’s easy to prepare in under an hour and serves 12, making it ideal for family gatherings or weeknight desserts.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 cups apples (about 6 medium apples, peeled or unpeeled and thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Topping
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup coconut oil, solid (not melted)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when the crisp is assembled.
- Prepare the topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the coconut sugar, rolled oats, almond flour, and chopped nuts. Add the solid coconut oil and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend everything until the mixture becomes crumb-like. Set this aside for later.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with the pure maple syrup, lemon juice, arrowroot powder, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Gently mix until all the apple slices are evenly coated in the mixture.
- Assemble the crisp: Lightly grease an 8×8 inch square baking dish or a 9-inch round pie pan. Transfer the apple mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add the topping: Sprinkle the prepared oat and nut topping evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the apple filling is bubbly and the topping turns a golden brown. Around the 30-minute mark, check the crisp; if the topping is browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil to prevent burning and continue baking for the remaining time.
- Cool: Remove the crisp from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes to set slightly.
- Serve: Enjoy your apple crisp warm, optionally topped with ice cream or whipped topping for extra indulgence.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container. The crisp will keep well at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Use peeled or unpeeled apples based on your preference; peeling will give a softer texture while unpeeled adds more fiber.
- Arrowroot powder can be substituted with cornstarch if preferred.
- For a nuttier flavor, try using walnuts or pecans based on availability or preference.
- Ensure coconut oil is solid and not melted when mixing the topping to achieve the crumbly texture.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free oats.
- To make the crisp more decadent, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
