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Made with rolled oats and whole wheat flour, this healthy apple crisp is an easy, fall inspired dessert. Ready in just under an hour, this apple crisp is a low-hassle alternative to the traditional apple pie. It’s refined sugar free, can be made dairy free, and bursting with fall flavors!
Nothing screams fall more than warm apple and cinnamon. Truly.
Clearly this is one of my favorite flavor combinations because I have been making apple-based recipes all season. If you’re an apple-cinnamon lover like me, you should try my healthy apple cobbler, my healthy mini apple pies, or my apple pie baked oatmeal!
I just love the warmth (and smells) of the spices. They just brings up the coziest feelings of crisp fall days. I remember always cuddling under blankets with warm apple cider after running around playing in the cold outside.
This healthy apple crisp brings back all those feelings. It is packed full with warm juicy apples and topped with a crispy, golden crumble. It will remind you of your favorite apple pie, but is way less work since an apple crisp is crustless!
Dare I say it… I may even like the crisp better than the traditional apple pie! It’s a MUST for this year’s Thanksgiving table!
Crisp vs. Cobbler vs. Crumble
Something I always used to ask myself was “what the heck is the difference between a crisp and a cobbler?” It always seemed like the two terms were used interchangeably. Baked apples (or berries) topped with some sort of crispy topping was a crisp or a cobbler, no matter the ingredients.
But. Turns out there is a difference! While the filling between all three is typically baked fruit, the difference is all in the topping.
The topping of a COBBLER is usually made of some sort of dough, like biscuits, pastry, or cake batter. The dough is dolloped on top of the fruit. As the dough spreads out and the fruit bakes through the cracks, the dough looks like a cobblestone street. Hence the name cobbler!
A CRISP is made up of a combination of oats, flour, butter, sugar, and spices. When it bakes, it gets crunchy, which is where the name “crisp.” Comes from.
This is actually different then an apple CRUMBLE, which usually doesn’t have oats in its. It’s just sugar, flour, and butter.
So, now you can impress all your family members by explaining the difference while you enjoy this healthy apple crisp!
What makes this apple crisp healthy?
Typical apple crisp is made with all-purpose flour and is loaded with refined sugar and butter.
I’ve made a couple of easy swaps in this recipe to up the nutrient levels of this apple crisp. The result is a dessert that will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth, but is also healthy enough to eat for breakfast! I promise, no one will even notice a difference!
This healthy apple crisp recipe uses:
- White whole wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour, which has a higher fiber content
- Coconut sugar: I eliminated the refined sugar in this recipe and replaced it with coconut sugar, a natural alternative.
- Walnuts or pecans: Adding chopped nuts to this recipe adds a good source of healthy fats.
Of course, you’re also getting a serving of fruits from the apples and fiber from the rolled oats. This recipe can also be made vegan but substituting coconut oil in place of butter.
How to make healthy apple crisp
This apple crisp is incredibly easy to make. From start to finish, it takes about an hour.
Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples. Be sure to slice the apples thinly.
Next, mix apples together in a bowl with coconut sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of flour. Pour into baking dish.
Then, combine oats, flour, coconut sugar, pecans/walnuts, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and melted butter/coconut oil and stir until combined. Then sprinkle the crumble evenly on top of your apple mixture.
Now all you have to do is bake for 45 – 50 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and apples are bubbling!
Serving your healthy apple crisp
This apple crisp is best served warm out of the oven to keep the top nice and crunchy!
Honestly this recipe is SO GOOD that it really doesn’t even NEED the ice cream. But, if you want to level up, a big scoop of ice cream melting over this warm apple crisp is definitely a win.
I also love to eat it with a few spoonfuls of yogurt for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. Because oats + apples = breakfast, right?
If you want to reheat this apple crisp, I’d recommend reheating individual portions in the microwave. You can also reheat it in the oven, but be sure to watch to ensure that the crumble does not burn!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
Healthy Apple Crisp
Warm apples, rolled oats, whole wheat flour, nuts, and spices combine to make the perfect healthy fall dessert. This recipe is refined sugar free and can be made vegan. Ready in just under an hour, this healthy apple crisp is a must make for your holiday gatherings!Â
Ingredients
Apple Base:
- 10 cups apples, cored, peeled (optional), and sliced. I used honeycrisp, but any will work
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp white whole wheat flour
Crisp:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamonÂ
- 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Â Preheat oven to 350F and spray 9×11 baking dish with nonstick spray
- Mix together thinly sliced apples in a bowl with coconut sugar, cinnamon, and flour
- Pour into baking dish
- In a medium bowl, mix together oats, flour, coconut sugar, walnuts/pecans, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir until combined.
- Sprinkle crumble evenly on top of apple mixture.Â
- Place in oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are bubbling.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.Â
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Frances says
This is not gluten free. I make it without baking soda and baking powder. No flour in the apples, either.
Some water or cider in the apple layer keeps it juicy, prevents dryness.
My favorite dessert!
★★★★
Erin says
Hi Frances, so happy you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Debbie says
Can you use almond flour in place of whole wheat flour?
Erin says
Hi Debbie, yes, you can use a almond instead. I haven’t tried it with that substitution so before you bake just be sure to check the ratio because some flours are not a 1:1 ratio. Let me know how it comes out!Â
Eleanor says
Hi! I’m allergic to nuts – do you think I could add pumpkin seeds or more oats or something to the topping instead of the walnuts/pecans??
This looks too good not to try!
Erin says
Hi Eleanor, yes of course!! Feel free to switch out the toppings for whatever works best for you! Let me know how it comes out!
Sydney says
Loved this on Thanksgiving!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sydney! I am so happy you enjoyed it!
Allie says
I just made this recipe on the fly last night and it is so yummy! I only had 4 apples so I made a half-batch in an 8×8 pan, and I subbed with regular flour and brown sugar because that’s all I had. Plus extra extra cinnamon since I’m obsessed. I was too lazy to peel the apples, and it didn’t bother me, but if you’re picky about texture I definitely recommend taking the time to peel them. The ‘crisp’ layer is ADDICTIVE. I can’t stop eating it.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allie, thanks for your kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own!!
Isabella says
I absolutely love this apple crisp! It’s my go to for family gatherings. Thanks Erin!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Isabella, thanks so much for the kind words and so happy you and your family love the crisp! 🙂
Carly says
Love this recipe!! One of my favorites. Erin continues to kill it!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Carly, so happy you love the apple crisp!!
Regina says
Can I do it without sugar?
Erin says
Hi Regina, I would not suggest that. This recipe works best with sugar.
Janet B. says
I made this recipe with granny Smith apples, coconut oil, and no nuts. It turned out really dry, so I was very disappointed:(
★★
Erin says
Hi Janet, I’m sorry to hear that. If you replace a lot of the things in the recipe, I cannot guarantee it will come out good. Hope you can try it again as is.
Ana says
This apple crisp was soooo good! I’ve made many of your recipes and they never disappoint, thank you! 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ana, I am thrilled you love it and thanks for all your support!!
Ana says
So good! My whole family loved it. Baking it again for Christmas!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ana, I am so glad everyone loved the crisp! Hope you enjoyed round 2!!
Jill K says
I was tempted to try this after Erin wrote that she might like this more than traditional apple pie, and it did not disappoint. This recipe is delicious!!! I’ve made it twice- once with pecans and once with walnuts. Thought the walnuts were better, might try putting in a little extra next time! Also, like stated above, recommend serving this fresh out of the oven, since the texture isn’t as “crisp” the next day. This is definitely one of my TOP recipes from ELW; I can’t wait to make it again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jill, thanks for sharing and so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Aaron says
Delicious! Made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit. Was looking for a dessert that was fresh and not too heavy after the big meal. It was a success and will be making it again! Thanks Erin 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Aaron, I am so glad you enjoyed it so much!
Erin O says
The best Fall treat after a fun day of apple picking!!! So delicious and easy to make thanks to this step by step recipe. A guilt free dessert 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, I am so happy you enjoyed it!!