THE BEST HEALTHY APPLE CRISP RECIPE

I absolutely love anything with apples, and this healthy apple crisp is no exception! It’s my go-to recipe for a cozy fall treat that’s not only delicious but also easy to make. I have perfected this healthy apple crisp recipe to ensure it’s lightened up yet still bursting with all the comforting flavors. With a crispy, golden topping, and sweet, tender apples, this apple crisp is perfect on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whether you’re serving it at holiday gatherings or just looking for a delicious dessert, this apple crisp will quickly become a year-round favorite. Plus, it’s so effortlessly tasty, that you’ll find yourself making it again and again.

Why You Will Love This Healthy Apple Crisp

• This apple crisp is lightened up and made with simple ingredients.
• It’s topped with a crispy, crunchy oat crumble.
• It’s bursting with flavor in each bite from the fresh, juicy apples.
• Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make this apple crisp a cozy treat.
• It’s the perfect balance of sweetness and the fall flavors are balanced.
• This apple crisp is easy to prepare!

What Is An Apple Crisp?

An apple crisp is a warm dessert consisting of warm baked apples topped with an oat crumble. The apples soften while they bake, and the oat topping becomes crispy and golden brown. It is a delicious combination of soft tender apples with a crunchy topping, for the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Serve this apple crisp warm and enjoy it on its own or with toppings such as ice cream or yogurt.

Ingredients Needed

For The Apples

• Apples: Use two pounds of apples for this recipe, about six medium-sized apples.
• Lemon: Freshly squeeze lemon juice and zest the lemon.
• Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract for flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt.
• Sweetener: Use brown sugar or a sugar-free sweetener such as brown monk fruit.
• Nutmeg: Add ground nutmeg for flavor.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds incredible flavor.
• Cornstarch: A small amount of cornstarch to thicken the cooked apples.

For The Topping

• Oats: Use rolled oats or quick oats for the topping.
• Flour: Mix flour with the oats for the topping.
• Sweetener: Sweeten the oat topping with brown sugar or brown monk fruit.
• Cinnamon: Add ground cinnamon to the topping, as well.
• Salt: A pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
• Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce reduces the amount of butter needed and makes this apple crisp a healthier option.
• Butter: Since we added applesauce, you only need two tablespoons of butter for the topping.

Which Apples Are Best?

It’s best to use sweet and tart apples when making an apple crisp. You can use one type of apple or a combination of them. Some apples that work best in this apple crisp recipe are Honeycrisp apples, Macintosh apples, Pink Lady apples, Fuji apples, Granny Smith apples, and Braeburn apples.

How To Make A Healthy Apple Crisp

Step 1: Peel the apples. Then, cut them into small, even-sized pieces. After that, place the chopped apples in a large bowl.

Step 2: Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, salt, sweetener, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch to the bowl with the apples. Next, thoroughly mix to ensure the apples are evenly coated.

Step 3: Lightly spray a 9×12 baking dish with oil so the apples don’t stick. Then, pour the coated apples into the baking dish.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, flour, sweetener, cinnamon, and salt. After that, add the applesauce and melted butter to the bowl and mix the topping.

Step 5: Evenly distribute the oat topping over the apple mixture in the baking dish.

Step 6: Bake this apple crisp. Once done, let it slightly cool and enjoy!

How Long To Bake An Apple Crisp

Bake this apple crisp at 350°F for about 45-55 minutes. The topping should be golden brown and crispy while the apples should be bubbling and cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this apple crisp warm after baking it. Enjoy it on its own or with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream. You can also pair it with whipped cream, Greek yogurt, or even cottage cheese for a protein boost! For an extra indulgent twist, drizzle caramel sauce over the top or sprinkle some cinnamon for a cozy finish. It’s incredibly delicious however you choose to enjoy it!

Expert Tips

• Peel The Apples: It is best to peel the apples because they give this apple crisp a smoother texture.
• Evenly Cut Apples: Chop the apples into small, even-sized pieces, so they cook at the same rate.
• Zest The Lemon: Avoid the pith, the white part of the lemon, when zesting, as it is bitter.
• Add More Spices: To further enhance the flavor of this apple crisp, in addition to the cinnamon and nutmeg, add a pinch of ground ginger, cardamom, or cloves.
• Let It Rest: Allow this apple crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving it. This helps the flavors meld together and allows the juices to thicken.
• Add The Topping: Evenly distribute the crumble topping over the apples before baking.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers of this apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave before serving again. To reheat them in the oven, cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. Or, reheat individual portions of this apple crisp in the microwave for about 30 seconds to one minute.

Variations

• Make It Gluten-Free: You can make this apple crisp gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour in the topping for oat flour! Just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
• Sweeteners: You can use your sweetener of choice in this recipe. Some options are brown sugar, regular sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or a sugar-free sweetener such as brown monk fruit.
• Add Chopped Nuts: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the oat topping for added flavor and crunch!
• Make This Apple Crisp Vegan: To make this apple crisp vegan, use vegan butter or coconut oil in place of regular butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apple Crisp Healthy?

This apple crisp recipe is healthy! Most apple crisps are packed with butter and sugar. This apple crisp delivers all of the amazing flavors while being lightened up. We replaced most of the butter in the topping with applesauce, so you only need a small amount of butter for this recipe. Also, you can use a sugar-free sweetener if you prefer. This is the perfect lightened-up apple crisp recipe!

How Long Does Apple Crisp Last?

This homemade apple crisp recipe is best enjoyed warm after making it. However, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

What Is The Difference Between Apple Crumble And Apple Crisp?

The main difference between an apple crumble and an apple crisp lies in their toppings! An apple crisp contains a crunchier topping that is made with oats! On the other hand, an apple crumble usually has a softer, streusel-like topping that is made with flour rather than oats.

Can You Freeze Apple Crisp?

Yes, you can freeze this apple crisp! Allow the leftovers to cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe airtight container. You can freeze this apple crisp for 1-2 months.

Is This Apple Crisp Gluten-Free?

This apple crisp can easily be made gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour in the topping for certified gluten-free oat flour. If you don’t have oat flour, you can blend rolled oats into oat flour.

More Recipes To Try Next!

• Air Fryer Apples
• Healthy Peach Crisp
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Air Fryer Apple Crisp
• The Best Healthy Apple Pie Filling
• Apple Pie Overnight Oats Gluten Free
• Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.