The Ultimate Healthy Apple Crisp: Easy, Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Wholesome Dessert
This is the ultimate healthy apple crisp recipe! It is easy to make and features simple, real food ingredients, with convenient options for gluten-free and dairy-free diets. Imagine warm, tender apples, infused with aromatic cinnamon, all crowned with a perfectly crisp oat topping – it’s the quintessential comfort food, especially as the seasons change.
As autumn leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, apple season arrives in full splendor, bringing with it an abundance of fresh, juicy apples. While this time of year often evokes cozy memories and hearty meals, one dessert stands out as a true fall favorite: healthy apple crisp. This recipe transforms crisp apples into a warm, inviting treat, complemented by a sweet and crunchy oat topping. It’s undeniably perfect for autumn gatherings, but let’s be honest – a comforting apple crisp should be a delightful indulgence all year long.
Crafted for clean eating, this healthy apple crisp allows you to enjoy a classic dessert without compromise. It’s designed to be simple, using whole, unprocessed ingredients that nourish your body while satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, you’ll find this recipe incredibly straightforward and rewarding.
If you’re eager to explore more clean eating recipes featuring apples, you absolutely must try my gluten-free apple blondies, air fryer apple slices, cashew chicken salad with apples, apple cinnamon oat muffins, and apple kiwi kale smoothie. These recipes offer diverse ways to enjoy the versatility and health benefits of apples.
What Makes This Recipe a Must-Try
This healthy apple crisp isn’t just another dessert; it’s a testament to how wholesome ingredients can create something truly spectacular. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
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Real Food Ingredients for Optimal Health
Unlike many traditional dessert recipes that rely on refined sugars and flours, this apple crisp is a celebration of whole, unrefined goodness. We use whole grain oats and whole grain oat flour for the topping, providing essential fiber and nutrients that refined flours lack. The natural sweetness comes from coconut sugar, a less processed alternative that contributes to a more balanced treat. Every ingredient is chosen to provide flavor and nourishment, making this a dessert you can feel good about enjoying.
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Thoughtfully Sweetened with Low Added Sugars
One of the key distinctions of this recipe is its mindful approach to sweetness. By utilizing naturally sweet apples and a modest amount of coconut sugar, we significantly reduce the overall added sugar content compared to most traditional apple crisp recipes. This not only makes the dessert healthier but also allows the natural flavors of the apples and cinnamon to truly shine through, creating a more nuanced and satisfying taste experience.
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Naturally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Friendly
This recipe is a dream come true for those with dietary restrictions or preferences. As written, it is entirely gluten-free and dairy-free, ensuring that almost everyone can enjoy a slice of this comforting dessert. We provide clear guidance on selecting certified gluten-free oats to prevent cross-contamination, and offer substitutions like butter for coconut oil if dairy is not a concern for you. This flexibility ensures that taste and texture are never compromised.
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Effortless Preparation for Any Occasion
Don’t let the idea of baking intimidate you. This healthy apple crisp boasts an incredibly simple preparation process, requiring only about 10 minutes of active prep time. The steps are straightforward, making it an ideal recipe for busy weeknights, last-minute dessert needs, or a relaxing weekend baking project. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can get this delicious dessert from your kitchen counter into the oven, filling your home with an irresistible aroma.
Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Apple Crisp
Crafting the perfect apple crisp begins with selecting the right components. Here’s a detailed look at the simple, wholesome ingredients you’ll need, along with helpful notes and substitution ideas:
A complete list of ingredients and precise amounts can be found in the recipe card below. Here are some specific notes and potential substitutions to guide you.
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APPLES: The secret to a truly balanced apple crisp lies in combining both tart and sweet apple varieties. My preferred duo is Granny Smith for its delightful tartness and Honeycrisp for its sweet, crisp texture. This combination creates a complex flavor profile that isn’t overly sweet. However, feel free to experiment with other firm, crisp apples like Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, or Gala. The key is to choose apples that hold their shape well during baking and offer a nice contrast in flavor.
Clean Food Tip: Apples are consistently featured on the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list due to their high pesticide content. To minimize exposure, I strongly recommend choosing organic apples for this recipe.
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COCONUT OIL: Virgin coconut oil is used in the oat topping, contributing to its rich flavor and delightful texture. It’s a fantastic dairy-free option and provides healthy fats. If you don’t require the recipe to be dairy-free, you can easily substitute it with unsalted butter. For the best flavor and quality, I recommend using grass-fed butter, such as Kerrygold.
Looking for a high-quality coconut oil? Try Nutiva Virgin Coconut Oil; it’s a personal favorite for its consistent quality and flavor.
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OATS: While oats are naturally gluten-free, they are often processed in facilities that also handle gluten-containing grains, leading to potential cross-contamination. If you have celiac disease or are highly sensitive to gluten, it is crucial to use certified gluten-free oats. These products are specifically tested and verified to meet strict gluten-free standards. One Degree, GF Harvest, and Bob’s Red Mill are all excellent choices. For the best crisp topping, always use rolled oats (old-fashioned oats), not quick-cooking oats.
Clean Food Tip: Many conventional oat crops are sprayed with glyphosate (an herbicide linked to increased cancer risk) prior to harvest. To avoid this, opt for organic oats.
- OAT FLOUR: Just like with rolled oats, ensure your oat flour is certified gluten-free if you need to avoid gluten. You can easily make your own oat flour at home by blending rolled oats into a fine powder, or purchase it pre-made. If gluten isn’t a concern, you can substitute oat flour with white whole wheat flour for an added whole grain boost.
- STARCH: Arrowroot starch acts as a natural thickener for the apple filling, preventing it from becoming watery. Tapioca starch or corn starch can be used as equally effective alternatives.
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SPICES: Cinnamon is the star spice here, bringing warmth and classic apple pie flavor.
Clean Food Tip: The FDA doesn’t require spice manufacturers to disclose added ingredients like sugar, salt, colors, or preservatives in conventional spices. For purity and assurance that no chemicals were used in the growing process, choose certified organic spices.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your Healthy Apple Crisp
Creating this delicious apple crisp is a simple and enjoyable process. Follow these easy steps to bring this wholesome dessert to life:
- Prepare the Apples: In a large mixing bowl, combine your sliced apples, fresh lemon juice (which prevents browning and brightens the flavor), ground cinnamon, arrowroot starch (to thicken the juices), and coconut sugar. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Pour this flavorful apple mixture into a large oven-safe skillet or a medium baking dish (9×9 or 9×13 inches works well).
- Craft the Crumb Topping: In a separate, smaller bowl, mix the rolled oats, oat flour, coconut sugar, and cinnamon. Next, add the solid coconut oil, cut into small 1 tsp. sized pieces. Using a pastry cutter, work the coconut oil into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small clumps of oil remaining. If you don’t have a pastry cutter, a fork can also do the trick. Evenly sprinkle this crumb topping over the prepared apples in your baking dish and gently pat it down to ensure an even layer.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the apple crisp for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the edges of the apple filling are visibly bubbling, and the oat topping has turned a beautiful golden-brown and is wonderfully crisp. To confirm the apples are perfectly tender, gently pierce one with a fork – it should go through easily. Remove from the oven once tender.
- Serve and Savor: Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving. While delicious at any temperature, it’s truly best enjoyed warm, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the topping to maintain its delicate crunch.
Expert Tips & Tricks for the Best Healthy Apple Crisp
Enhance your apple crisp experience with these pro tips and serving suggestions:
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Elevate with Add-ins: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, consider mixing chopped walnuts or pecans into the oat topping mixture before spreading it over the apples. You could also experiment with a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of ginger, or even some dried cranberries for a festive twist.
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Slice Apples Uniformly: To ensure all your apple slices cook evenly and become perfectly tender, it’s crucial to slice them into consistent pieces. Aim for slices between ¼” and ⅓” thick. Thinner slices tend to cook more uniformly and will be wonderfully soft.
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Choose the Right Oats: Always use rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) for your crisp topping. Quick-cooking oats are pre-steamed and cut into smaller pieces, which results in a mushy, less desirable topping. Rolled oats provide that essential chewy yet crisp texture that defines a perfect apple crisp.
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Irresistible Serving Suggestions: While fantastic on its own, this healthy apple crisp truly shines when paired with a topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream (dairy or non-dairy!), a dollop of fluffy coconut whipped cream, or a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce for an extra touch of decadence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Apple Crisp
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making this delicious and healthy apple crisp:
Do I have to peel the apples first?
Whether to peel your apples or not is entirely a matter of personal preference. From a nutritional standpoint, leaving the skin on is beneficial as most of the apple’s fiber and nutrients are concentrated there. However, if you prefer a smoother texture in your apple crisp, feel free to peel them. Both methods will result in a delicious dessert!
What is the difference between a crisp and a crumble?
While often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle distinction between a “crisp” and a “crumble.” Both are baked fruit desserts topped with a streusel-like mixture. A “crisp” typically includes oats in its topping, which bakes up to be lighter and crunchier. A “crumble,” on the other hand, usually features a topping made primarily with flour, butter, and sugar, resulting in a denser, more cohesive, and slightly clumpier texture.
Is this healthy apple crisp gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is designed to be fully gluten-free. All the ingredients, including oats and oat flour, are naturally free of gluten. However, it’s crucial to note that conventional oats can be subject to cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains during processing. If you have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, always opt for products explicitly labeled as “certified gluten-free oats” and “certified gluten-free oat flour” to ensure safety.
What are the best apples for making apple crisp?
The best apples for apple crisp are firm and crisp varieties that can withstand baking without turning to mush. A combination of sweet and tart apples yields the most complex and delicious flavor. My top recommendations include Granny Smith (for tartness) and Honeycrisp (for sweetness and crispness). Other excellent choices that bake well are Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, and Gala.
Storage & Reheating Guidelines for Freshness
To enjoy your healthy apple crisp for longer, proper storage and reheating are key:
- Storage: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and will remain delicious for up to 5 days. For longer storage, the crisp can be frozen for up to 3 months. When freezing, ensure it’s completely cooled before placing it in a freezer-safe container.
- Reheating: To reheat refrigerated crisp, you can gently warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through. For a crispier topping, or to reheat a larger portion, place it in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping begins to crisp again.
- Note on Topping Texture: It’s important to remember that the crisp topping will naturally soften when stored after baking. While still delicious, for the absolute best crispness, this dessert is ideally enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
What Makes This Apple Crisp a Healthy Choice?
This recipe goes beyond simply being “delicious”; it’s thoughtfully crafted to be a genuinely healthy dessert option. Here’s a deeper look into what makes this apple crisp a better-for-you treat:
- Whole, Unrefined Ingredients: The foundation of its healthfulness lies in using whole, unrefined ingredients. The crisp topping, for instance, utilizes both rolled oats and oat flour. These are whole grains that retain their natural bran, germ, and endosperm, providing a wealth of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. In contrast, traditional apple crisps often use refined white flour, which has been stripped of these beneficial components during processing. The fiber in whole grains aids digestion, promotes satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels, contributing to sustained energy.
- Minimally Processed Natural Sweetener: Instead of refined white sugar, this recipe is minimally sweetened with coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is considered a natural sweetener because it undergoes less processing than white sugar, allowing it to retain more of its inherent nutrients, such as iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. While it is still sugar and should be consumed in moderation, its less refined nature makes it a preferable alternative.
- Lower Glycemic Index: One of the significant advantages of coconut sugar is its lower glycemic index (GI). The glycemic index measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Studies and nutritional data suggest coconut sugar has a GI of approximately 35. This is considerably lower than white sugar, which can range from 58-82 (out of 100). A lower GI means a slower, more gradual rise in blood sugar, preventing sharp spikes and crashes, which is beneficial for energy levels and overall metabolic health. The journal Food Science & Nutrition has also highlighted these beneficial attributes of coconut sugar.
- Naturally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: By using certified gluten-free oats and oat flour, and coconut oil instead of butter, this recipe is inherently friendly to those with gluten and dairy sensitivities, making it accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing flavor or texture.
More Better-for-You Sweet Treats to Discover
If you loved this healthy apple crisp, you’ll be thrilled to explore more delicious and wholesome dessert options:
- Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Coconut Flour Oatmeal Cookies
- Healthy Dark Chocolate Bark (dairy free)
- Gluten-free Pumpkin Scones
If you make this healthy apple crisp recipe, please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below and/or share a photo on Instagram and mention @CleanPlateMama! Your feedback and creations truly make my day.
Healthy Apple Crisp
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Equipment
- 1 oven safe skillet or baking dish
- 2 mixing bowls
Ingredients
Ingredients for Apple Filling
- 5 Granny Smith apples, cut into ¼” slices (4 if they are on the large side)
- 3 Honey Crisp apples, cut into ¼” slices (2 if they are on the large side)
- 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp. arrowroot starch
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (also called coconut palm sugar)
Ingredients for Crumb Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats (certified gluten free if needed)
- ⅔ cup oat flour (certified gluten free if needed)
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar (also called coconut palm sugar)
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup coconut oil (or butter)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Set aside a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish. If not using cast iron, lightly grease the baking dish.
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In a large bowl, mix the apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, starch, and coconut sugar. Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish.
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In a small bowl, combine the oats, oat flour, coconut sugar, and cinnamon. Next, add the coconut oil (or butter) in 1 tsp. sized pieces. Using a pastry cutter, cut the coconut oil into the oats until you have a slight coarse/crumbly mixture (the oil should remain in little clumps). Alternatively, you can use a fork to cut the oil into the mixture. Pour mixture evenly over the apples in the baking dish. Gently pat down to even out the mixture.
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Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Edges should be nice and bubbly and topping should be golden brown.
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Allow to cool slightly. Best if served warm.
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Enjoy!
Notes
- I use a 12″ cast iron skillet when making this recipe. You can use any medium sized baking dish (9×9 or 9×13 are good sizes).
- I like using honey crisp apples for the sweet apples, but you could use Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, or any other sweet crisp apple.
- You can peel the apples or leave the skin on – totally your preference. Most people like them peeled.
- Slice apples into like sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Use rolled oats for the topping, not quick cooking oats.
- I use arrowroot starch in this recipe, but tapioca starch or corn starch could be used in it’s place.
- Check that apples can be easily pierced with a fork before removing from the oven.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 47g |
Protein: 3g |
Fat: 9g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Sodium: 27mg |
Potassium: 220mg |
Fiber: 6g |
Sugar: 22g |
Vitamin A: 74IU |
Vitamin C: 8mg |
Calcium: 33mg |
Iron: 1mg
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