This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Nothing embodies the cozy vibes of fall quite like this healthy apple crisp. Whether you need a lighter treat or accommodating dietary preferences, this apple crisp will become your go-to fall dessert. This recipe tastes just like classic apple crisp, but with wholesome ingredients like almond flour, gluten-free oats, and maple syrup instead of sugar.
Love fruit desserts? Try cranberry oatmeal bars, blueberry crumble bars, or gluten-free dutch apple pie next!
Table of Contents
Coconut oil instead of butter and maple syrup instead of refined sugar, this lightened up apple crisp has all the fall flavors you’re looking for, without feeling heavy and super sweet!
Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering, preparing a family dinner, or simply craving a sweet treat after a long day, this apple crisp delivers on all fronts. Top with vanilla ice cream warm out of the oven!
Its rich, spiced apple filling paired with a crunchy, nutty topping creates a delicious blend of textures and flavors that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Plus, with easy substitutions and storage options, it’s a recipe you can rely on time and time again.
It’s the recipe I always reach for after apple picking (along with apple banana bread and peach apple crisp) because there’s just something so good about a warm apple dessert in the fall.
Ingredients for Healthy Apple Crisp
Creating this healthy dessert is a breeze with the right wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need. Skip to the recipe card for exact instructions.
- Apples: I like to use a variety of sweet and tart apples (more on this below)
- Maple syrup: Acts as a natural sweetener, adding depth and balancing the tartness of the apples.
- Flour: I like gluten-free flour, but whole wheat flour or all purpose flour is great too.
- Flavors and spices: cinnamon nutmeg, salt and vanilla
- Lemon juice: to balance the sweetness and keep the apples fresh.
- Almond flour: Adds a nutty flavor and a tender crumb to the topping while keeping it gluten-free.
- Old-fashioned oats: I like gluten-free rolled oats from Bob’s Red Mill.
- Pecans: nutty pecans add a nice crunch but can be left off if desired. Or swap them for walnuts!
- Coconut oil: use a cold coconut oil to give you the best crisp, but a vegan butter is another great option.
Looking to use up more fall apples? Try gluten-free apple pie, kale apple salad, or apple cider sangria next.
How to Make the Best Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe
Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this healthy oatmeal apple crisp. Skip to the recipe card for the printable version.
Step 1. Make the Filling. Cut the apples into thin slices then mix with the filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2. Make the Crumble Topping. Mix together the topping ingredients. Add the coconut oil or vegan butter, and use the back of a knife or a pastry blender to cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 3. Assemble. Sprinkle the crisp topping over the apple mixture, ensuring it covers the apples generously.
Step 4. Bake. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Begin checking at the 35-minute mark and cover with foil if it’s over browning.
Recipe Variations
- Vegan and Dairy-Free Apple Crisp: Substitute vegan butter or additional coconut oil in the topping to make the recipe fully vegan and dairy-free.
- Gluten-Free and Grain-Free Apple Crisp: Use almond meal or flaxseed instead of oats and tapioca flour instead of gluten-free flour for a grain-free option.
- Caramel Apple Crisp: Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the topping for a rich, buttery sweetness.
- Nut-free: omit the chopped nuts in the topping. Substitute almond flour with oat flour or extra gluten-free rolled oats to maintain that delightful crunch and rich flavor without any nuts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! It’s best to choose an apple that stays firm and crisp when it bakes so you’re left with tender (not mushy) apples. A mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp adds depth to the flavor. You can also use Fuji or Golden Delicious.
While almond flour adds a nutty flavor and tender crumb, you can substitute it with oat flour or another gluten-free flour of your choice if preferred.
Certainly! Pears, cranberries, or even a handful of raisins can complement the apples and add variety to the flavor and texture.
If you love apple crisp, you’ll love this paleo blackberry blueberry cobbler or gluten-free peach cobbler.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: Prepare it up two days in advance by assembling the apple filling and crisp topping separately. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator and assemble when you’re ready to bake.
Storage: Let the apple crisp cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for up to three months. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Looking for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram or TikTok.
Healthy Apple Crisp
Save this Recipe!
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 7 cups baking apples peeled and very thinly sliced (4 medium or 3 very large apples)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free flour (or 2 tbsp tapioca flour)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Crisp Topping
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned gluten free rolled oats
- 1/3 coconut sugar
- 1/2 chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or vegan butter chilled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and cream a 2 quart baking dish with non stick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the apples, maple syrup, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, sea salt and lemon juice. Dump apples into the prepared baking dish and set aside.7 cups baking apples peeled and very thinly sliced, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or brown sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- In a medium bowl, mix together the almond flour, old fashioned gluten free oats, coconut sugar, pecans, cinnamon and salt. Add the cold coconut oil and cut it into the dry ingredients with the back of a knife or a pastry blender. Spoon the crisp topping evenly over the apple mixture, there will be a lot. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Begin checking the crisp at 35 minutes to avoid over-browning. Allow to cool slightly and serve warm.½ cup almond flour, 1 1/2 cups old fashioned gluten free rolled oats, 1/3 coconut sugar, 1/2 chopped pecans, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup coconut oil or vegan butter
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, bake at 400°F for 30-40 minutes or until warmed through the center. Check at 30 minutes and cover with foil if the top is getting too brown.
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe by: Molly Thompson of What Molly Made | Photography by: Sierra Inn
I made this last year, and we loved it so much that I couldn’t wait to make it again this fall! Super easy and delicious!! I used arrowroot powder instead of corn starch. I followed recipe otherwise. Oh and I added a scoop of vanilla ice cream when serving 😉 Thanks for sharing Molly!!! 🙂
A scoop of vanilla is always a good idea!!:) Thanks, Sara!