This healthy apple crisp is lightly sweetened with maple syrup and features a crunchy oatmeal topping. This recipe is sure to be a fall family favorite!

Riddle me this — what do you do when you have four big bags of fresh apples sitting in your kitchen after a fun day of apple picking?!

You make a homemade apple crisp!

The apples are baked to caramel-y perfection while the oatmeal topping gives the crisp a crunchy texture. I love the apples, but the oatmeal pecan topping is totally what makes the dish. Of course, you have to remember that this is coming from the girl who loves all things crunchy — crispy muffin tops, granola, the edges of bread… bring on that crunch!

What Makes This Apple Crisp Healthy?

The great thing about this particular apple crisp is that it’s relatively healthy in comparison to traditional recipes…

• I swapped traditional brown sugar for coconut sugar
• I used coconut oil instead of butter
• I used almond flour instead of traditional all-purpose flour
• I used hearty rolled oats as the base of the crisp topping

Apple Crisp vs. Apple Crumble

Depending on where you live, apple crisp and apple crumble may mean the same thing! In the United States, they are slightly different dishes. Apple crisp is baked apples topped with a mixture of oats, nuts, sugar and spices. Apple crumble is also baked apples but is topped with more of a streusel mixture of flour, sugar and butter. No matter what you call it, they’re both delicious!

Here’s What You Need

Filling

• apples – the star of the show here! I like using a combination of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady are all great options!
• arrowroot powder – helps thicken the apple mixture. Cornstarch works as well.
• maple syrup – just a little bit of added natural sweetness for the apple mixture.
• lemon juice – helps prevent the apples from browning and brings out the flavors in the dish!
• seasonings and spices – cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt.

Crumble Topping

• coconut sugar – brown sugar works as well!
• old-fashioned rolled oats – oats are naturally gluten-free but are often cross-contaminated during processing, so if you need this crisp to be gluten-free, make sure you look for oats that say “gluten-free” on the package. I like using Bob’s Red Mill gluten free old fashioned rolled oats.
• almond flour – we’re using almond flour to keep this recipe gluten-free. I haven’t tested this crisp with a different flour, but I have a feeling that all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour will work just fine for the topping. If you try it, please let me know in the comments.
• chopped nuts – I prefer using pecans or walnuts, but you can definitely sub in another nut like almonds. To make the topping nut-free swap the pecans with additional oats.
• coconut oil – keep the coconut oil in solid form to help make the topping more crumb-like. You can also use vegan butter in place of the oil.

tip! If you need this recipe to be nut-free just swap the nuts for additional oats! 

What Variety of Apple is Best For Apple Crisp?

Not all apples are great for baking. When choosing apples for baking you want apples that are firm and keep their structure under heat and don’t turn into mush after baking. The crisp and firm Granny Smith and Honeycrisp varieties are the most popular when it comes to baking. Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Fuji, Cortland and Jonagold are also great options. Feel free to use just one variety or use an assortment of varieties for an added depth of flavor. I like to use both sweet and tart apples in this crisp!

How to Serve Apple Crisp

Served warm, this apple crisp is absolutely delicious on its own, but if you really want the full experience I recommend serving it with some toppings. Here are some ideas:

• ice cream – I love eating it with Halo Top Creamery vanilla ice cream, which is a low cal/low sugar ice cream that actually tastes pretty darn good!
• yogurt – add creaminess and protein by adding yogurt as a topping! Pro tip: whip the yogurt in a food processor for a light and airy texture.
• whipped cream – can’t go wrong with classic whipped cream!
• coconut whip – looking for a dairy-free option? I love topping this apple crisp with coconut whipped cream!
• caramel sauce – want more caramel-y flavor? Drizzle my date caramel sauce over top!

Can You Make This Crisp Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can totally make this crisp ahead of time, which is perfect if you’re serving it for Thanksgiving dessert and have a ton of other dishes to make. There are a couple of options that work really well.

OPTION 1: BAKE AND THEN REHEAT BEFORE SERVING

Prepare your crisp as the recipe suggests. Once baked, let it cool, cover the baking dish and place it in the fridge. You can do this 1-2 days in advance. When ready to serve, take your crisp out from the fridge, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes.

OPTION 2: PREP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN WITHOUT BAKING

Simply prepare your crisp as the recipe suggests without baking it. Cover your dish with foil, place it in the fridge and then bake it as directed below before you’re ready to serve.

How to Store Leftovers

After allowing it to cool, store in an airtight container. Leftovers will store well at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers because I don’t think the crisp topping will hold up.

Looking For More Apple Recipes?

• Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
• Vegan Apple Bread
• Healthy Apple Crumble Bars
• Baked Apple Cider Donuts
• Healthy Apple Pancakes
• Apple Cinnamon Muffins
• Baked Apples
• Apple Cake
• Healthy Dutch Apple Pie

Try These Popular Healthy Desserts

• Baked Pears
• Peach Crisp
• Blueberry Crumble
• No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars
• Pavlova
• Soft Pumpkin Cookies
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
• Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
• Healthy Lemon Bars

Be sure to check out all of my apple recipes as well as the full collection of dessert recipes here on EBF!