• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
freebie! download my top 8 dessert recipe ebook

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Erin Lives Whole

Healthy Eats + Delicious Treats

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Soup
      • Sides
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sauces & Dips
    • Dessert Type
      • Bars & Balls
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • Frozen
      • Pie & Cobbler
      • Other
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo Friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Method
      • 30 Minute or Less
      • Air Fryer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Bake
      • One Pot/Pan
      • Oven
      • Stove Top
    • Season
      • Fall
      • Holiday
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • All Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Subscribe to receive latest recipes

    Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten-Free
    • Dairy-Free
    • Nut-Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Snacks
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
Home By Meal Dessert

Healthy Apple Crisp

★★★★★ 11 Reviews Recipe Print
df
By: Alex CaganPosted: 11/13/19Updated: 9/22/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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!

apple crisp in bowl with fork

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!

apple crisp in pan with spoon

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!

apple crisp in pan

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.

apple crisp in bowl

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!

sliced apples in pan

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!

  • Healthy Mini Apple Pies
  • Healthy Apple Cobbler
  • Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal

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!

★★★★★ 4.6 from 11 reviews

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! 

Prep: 10 minutesCook: 45 minutesTotal: 55 minutes
Yield 8–10 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

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 cinnamon 
  • 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil

Instructions

  1.  Preheat oven to 350F and spray 9×11 baking dish with nonstick spray
  2. Mix together thinly sliced apples in a bowl with coconut sugar, cinnamon, and flour
  3. Pour into baking dish
  4. In a medium bowl, mix together oats, flour, coconut sugar, walnuts/pecans, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir until combined.
  5. Sprinkle crumble evenly on top of apple mixture. 
  6. Place in oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are bubbling.
  7. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. 
Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: gluten-free, snack, dessertMethod: bakeCuisine: American

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

erinliveswhole

There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

You May Also Like...

  • apple cobbler with two spoons and ice cream
    Healthy Apple Cobbler Recipe
  • healthy mini apple pie on plate
    Healthy Mini Apple Pies
  • Healthy Apple Chicken Sausage Stuffing
  • stack of apple pie bars with icing
    Healthy Apple Pie Bars
free ebook

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

download now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Previous Post
Next Post

Primary Sidebar

Hey there!

I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

Shop My Grocery Downloads

Do you head to the grocery store and feel overwhelmed with all of the options? Well, I've created FIVE downloadable and printable grocery lists from five different and popular grocery stores. All of my absolute must haves from Whole Foods, Target, a regular grocer, Trader Joe's, and Costco!

Shop Now

Popular Posts

chickpea brownie on a tray

Chickpea Brownies

bite out of healthy cookie dough ball

Healthy Cookie Dough Balls

cauliflower wings on plate

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

pouring syrup on stack of oatmeal blender pancakes

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

Download Now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Trending Recipes

banana bread muffin on a rack

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

cinnamon roll on plate

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

stack of baked blueberry oatmeal cups

Baked Blueberry Oatmeal Cups

cauliflower wings on plate

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Featured On

Get latest updates To your inbox!

Back to Top
© 2021 Erin Lives Whole
  • Privacy Policy
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled