Name: Healthy Apple Crisp (No Butter) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 cups apples, thinly sliced (preferably a mix of tart and sweet like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp); 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; Pinch of salt; ¾ cup gluten-free flour (or whole wheat/all-purpose flour); ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if desired); ½ cup almond flour; ½ cup chopped pecans (optional; substitute walnuts or omit for nut-free); 3 tablespoons cold coconut oil (or vegan butter); 3 tablespoons maple syrup; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt

Introduction

This Healthy Apple Crisp uses coconut oil instead of butter and maple syrup in place of refined sugar, making it a lighter dessert full of fall flavors. Perfect for cozy evenings or gatherings, this crisp pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream and combines a spiced apple filling with a crunchy, nutty topping.

A white oval baking dish is filled with a textured apple crisp mixture. The bottom layer shows slices of light beige baked apples coated with cinnamon and spices. The top layer is a crumbly mix of golden brown oats, chopped nuts, and brown sugar, giving a rough and crunchy look. A wooden spoon is partially buried in the crisp, stirring the mixture and revealing the layers. Around the dish, some bits of the oat topping are scattered on a white marbled surface. In the background, red apples and a cut apple are softly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4-5 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), thinly sliced

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup gluten-free flour (or whole wheat/all-purpose flour)

1/2 cup almond flour

3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional, or swap for walnuts)

1/3 cup cold coconut oil or vegan butter

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well coated.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, almond flour, oats, and chopped pecans. Add the cold coconut oil or vegan butter, and use the back of a knife or a pastry blender to cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 3: Spread the apple mixture evenly in a baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the apples.

Step 4: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes. Check at 35 minutes and cover with foil if the topping is browning too quickly. Bake until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.

Step 5: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples to balance flavor and texture.

For a vegan and dairy-free option, use additional coconut oil or vegan butter in the topping.

To make it grain-free, substitute oats with almond meal or flaxseed and use tapioca flour instead of gluten-free flour.

For caramel apple crisp, drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the crumble topping.

Omit nuts and replace almond flour with oat flour or extra oats for a nut-free version.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any apple that holds its shape well when baked. A combination of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweet apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji creates great flavor and texture.

Is it necessary to use almond flour in the topping?

Almond flour adds a nutty flavor and tender crumb to the topping, but you can substitute it with oat flour or extra oats if you want to avoid nuts or make it nut-free.