Description
This Healthy Apple Crisp features naturally sweetened apple filling tossed in maple syrup and spices, topped with a crunchy oat pecan crumble. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a comforting dessert perfect for fall and enjoyed warm with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Topping
- ⅓ cup (38g) whole wheat pastry flour (or regular flour or gluten free oat flour or almond flour)
- ½ cup (48g) old fashioned rolled oats, gluten free if desired
- ⅓ cup (71g) dark brown sugar (can also sub coconut sugar but brown sugar is best)
- ½ cup (56g) raw chopped pecans
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (57g) cold butter or vegan buttery stick, cut into very small cubes (can also use coconut oil)
Apple Filling
- 5-6 medium Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and very thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup (104g) pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon bourbon (or pure vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease an 8×8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside to ensure easy removal of the crisp after baking.
- Make the Topping: In a large bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and chopped pecans. Add the cold butter cubes and use your hands to squeeze and combine the mixture until it becomes crumbly and resembles wet sand. Alternatively, use a pastry cutter or a food processor for blending. Chill the topping in the fridge while preparing the filling.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bourbon or vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and apples to soften slightly.
- Combine and Assemble: Take one-third of the chilled topping and toss it with the apple mixture to incorporate some crumbly texture into the filling. Transfer the apple mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining topping evenly over the apples for a crunchy finish.
- Bake the Crisp: Place the baking pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake for 45-55 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the crisp to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm, ideally with your favorite vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience.
Notes
- This apple crisp is naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup instead of refined sugar, making it a healthier dessert choice.
- Using whole wheat pastry flour and oats adds fiber and wholesome grains to the topping.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a vegan buttery stick or coconut oil.
- Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- This recipe is a great way to use up fall apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith varieties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 204 kcal
- Sugar: 23.2 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34.7 g
- Fiber: 4.2 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
