Healthy Apple Crisp

by Kayla Berman on Sep 21, 2021 (updated Aug 12, 2022) 0 comments

Apple crisp is the best fall dessert in my opinion! It’s the perfect recipe to make with all those apple lying around from your trip to the apple orchard. Plus it’s great for your Thanksgiving table too! And Healthy Apple Crisp is going to be your new favorite recipe for the classic treat. I promise it will have all your family and friends in love!

Healthy Apple Crisp has a gooey apple filling, a buttery almond flour & oat crisp topping, and lots of cinnamon! This healthier version is gluten free & refined sugar free, but is just as delicious as the classic. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream on top for the perfect fall dessert or holiday dish!

What makes this Apple Crisp Recipe healthier?

This apple crisp recipe is made healthier because of the wholesome and more minimally processed ingredients that are used. It is also a gluten free and refined sugar free option!

Old fashioned oats, almond flour, and coconut sugar are substituted for the more traditional white or brown sugar and all purpose flour. This provides more nutrients and will give you less of a sugar crash! Additionally, a lot of the sweetness in this recipe comes from the apples themselves! They provide a delicious natural sweetness. This Healthy Apple Crisp also uses less butter than your classic recipe would! But it still has enough to pack in that delicious flavor.

Despite these healthy swaps, you will not be able to taste that this is a healthier version of the fall classic!

Ingredients needed for Gluten Free Apple Crisp…

All you need is a few, simple ingredients to make this incredibly delicious dessert!

Apples: Apples are the most important ingredient in apple crisp! I recommend you use Honeycrisp or any apple on the slightly sour side for the best taste. You’ll need 4 cups of peeled & chopped apple.
Almond Flour: Almond flour is the base of the crisp topping in this recipe and is what makes it gluten free. Add 1 cup!
Oats: The crisp topping also calls for old fashioned oats! To ensure this recipe is completely gluten free, make sure to use certified gluten free oats. 1/2 cup is the perfect amount!
Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar is the main sweetener used in this healthy apple crisp. It is refined sugar free and has a rich & delicious flavor! You’ll need 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp divided between the crisp topping and apple filling.
Butter: Butter gives this recipe that classic taste! Even a healthier version of the fall favorite needs this ingredient. Use 1/4 cup of melted salted butter!
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is used in the apple filling for the acidity. You’ll need 1 tsp!
Corn starch: To thicken up the apple filling in this crisp you’ll need to add some cornstarch. 1 tsp is just the right amount!
Cinnamon: Cinnamon and apple go together absolutely perfectly! And an apple crisp is simply not an apple crisp unless it is loaded with the spice. Add 3 tsp throughout this entire recipe!
Vanilla Extract: Add 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract for that classic taste.
Salt: Lastly, add a pinch of salt to bring out the rest of the delicious flavors here.

How to make Healthy Apple Crisp…

Healthy Apple Crisp is actually super simple to make! All you do is mix up your apples, add the oat topping, and bake to gooey middle & crispy top perfection.

Set the oven to 350 degrees.
Next peel and chop the apples. Mix with the coconut sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl add the almond flour, oats, coconut sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until combined evenly.
Transfer the apple mixture to a baking dish.
Spread the oat topping on top of the apples evenly.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream & enjoy!

What apples should I use for this recipe?

My favorite apple to eat and bake with is always Honeycrisp! I mean its’s in the name … they are just so crisp and delicious. They are what I used in this Gluten Free Apple Crisp and are what I recommend.

If not I recommend a slightly sour apple, like a Granny Smith. They just provide a better taste and a more complex flavor in this fall dessert!

Can I prepare this Easy Apple Crisp ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely prepare this recipe ahead of time! Simply prepare the apple crisp as instructed, place in a baking dish, cover, and store in the fridge until you are ready to bake.

This is the perfect method to use when serving this dessert at a dinner party or Holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas! It will save you tons of time and makes this apple crisp even easier to whip up than it already is.

How to best serve Healthy Apple Crisp…

This apple crisp is best served warm, fresh out of the oven, and of course with some vanilla ice cream on top. It will be a total crowd pleaser … I promise!

Storing & re-heating Gluten Free Apple Crisp…

Store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and most delicious for about 1 week!

To re-heat, pop a serving in the microwave for 30-45 seconds and enjoy. Or you could eat cold! The leftovers of this crisp are delicious either way.

Need some more fall dessert recipes? Check out the delicious ones below…

Connect with me!

If you make Healthy Apple Crisp or any of my other recipes I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on instagram, so I can see and share your recreation.

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.