Healthy Apple Crisp

This healthy apple crisp recipe is perfect for fall entertaining. It's easy to make & filled with warming spices - cinnamon, ginger & cardamom.

VEGAN / GLUTEN FREE / DESSERT

Is there anything better than warm apple crisp baking in the oven?

This healthy apple crisp recipe has been my go-to dessert lately to serve to friends and family. It’s easy to make, it’s deliciously spiced, and it will make your kitchen smell amazing!

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe

I’ve made lots and lots of apple crisps in the past, but this one takes the cake. It starts with warm, stewed, soft apples – I cook them down with a little apple cider vinegar for pop. Then, I add cinnamon, ginger, and a pinch of cardamomto give them a warm, spiced flavor. I love these apples so much that you could just stop here and eat the apples by themselves if you wanted a truly healthy fruit-only dessert. They’d also be insanely good on oatmeal for breakfast.

My Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Topping

But, since this is dessert and it’s called apple crisp, let’s talk about that crispy topping! It’s a mix of rolled oats, almond flour, walnuts, coconut oil, brown sugar (or coconut sugar), and, of course, more cinnamon, because I don’t think there could ever be too much cinnamon in an apple crisp. This dessert also happens to be vegan and gluten-free because these ingredients taste so amazing on apples that butter or flour just aren’t necessary here.

How to Make Apple Crisp in Advance

This healthy apple crisp recipe is great for entertaining because it can almost entirely be made in advance. I make the apples and the topping ahead of time and divide the the apples among the ramekins. When I’m about ready to serve it, I sprinkle on the topping and pop them in the oven.

I like to make these extra festive by sprinkling them with pomegranates. Serve with vanilla ice cream or coconut cream and dig in!

If you love this healthy apple crisp recipe…

Try this pumpkin bread, this apple pie, or this apple crumble

Healthy Apple Crisp

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

50 mins

 

This gluten-free apple crisp is an easy, healthy, delicious fall dessert that's great for entertaining. Prepare the filling and topping separately, combine, and bake when you're ready to serve!

Author: Jeanine Donofrio

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Spiced apple filling

• 4 apples, cut into approx. 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• Pinch of sea salt

Crumble topping

• ½ cup whole rolled oats
• ½ cup almond flour
• ¼ cup crushed walnuts
• ⅓ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ cup firm coconut oil

For serving

• Pomegranates
• Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Make the filling: Combine the apples, apple cider vinegar, and water in a saucepan and simmer over very low heat, covered, stirring occasionally (making sure the apples don’t burn on the bottom of the pan) for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir, and add the cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and salt and stir again. The apple should be tender and the juices should be thick.
3. Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the oats, almond flour, walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use your hands work in the firm coconut oil until the mixture crumbles. If the mixture is too dry, add a few drizzles of water until the mixture starts to stick together when pinched.
4. Scoop the apple filling into 4 individual ramekins, top with the crumble (you may have a little bit extra) and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly crisp on top.
5. Remove from the oven. Top with pomegranates and serve with vanilla ice cream.