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Healthy Apple Crisp (No Butter) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 69 reviews

This Healthy Apple Crisp recipe uses coconut oil instead of butter and maple syrup as a natural sweetener, creating a lightened-up fall dessert that balances sweet and tart flavors perfectly. With a rich, spiced apple filling and crunchy, nutty oat topping, it’s an easy and wholesome dessert ideal for family gatherings or cozy evenings. Featuring gluten-free options and simple substitutions, this apple crisp is warm, comforting, and packed with fall spices.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Filling

  • 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

Crumble Topping

  • 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

Instructions

  1. Make the Filling: Thinly slice the apples and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Toss everything together until the apple slices are evenly coated with the spiced mixture.
  2. Make the Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, rolled oats, almond flour, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold coconut oil or vegan butter, then use the back of a knife or a pastry blender to cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the maple syrup until well mixed.
  3. Assemble: Transfer the apple filling into a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the apples, covering them completely.
  4. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, starting to check at 35 minutes. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Bake until the topping is golden and the apples are tender and bubbly.

Notes

  • For a vegan option, substitute vegan butter or additional coconut oil in the topping.
  • To make grain-free, replace oats with almond meal or flaxseed and use tapioca flour instead of gluten-free flour.
  • Omit nuts for a nut-free version and replace almond flour with oat flour or more rolled oats for crunch.
  • Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp to maintain a balance of flavors and textures.
  • Make ahead by preparing filling and topping separately and assembling just before baking; store components in the fridge.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to one week or freeze up to three months.
  • Reheat the apple crisp in the oven until warmed through before serving.

Keywords: healthy apple crisp, apple crisp no butter, gluten free apple crisp, fall dessert, maple syrup sweetened apple crisp, coconut oil apple crisp, vegan apple crisp option, autumn dessert recipes

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/healthy-apple-crisp-no-butter-recipe/