This No Sugar Added Apple Crisp recipe is perfect to serve up during the holidays. It combines classic pie spices with a crispy oat topping and a dollop of fat free Greek yogurt. You won’t even know this dessert is low in sugar and fat! I love apples. Especially fresh baked apples. And you can’t beat a no sugar added apple crisp. This is a great dessert for fall or anytime you want to bake something sweet without all the sugar.

Healthy Apple Crisp

Made with rolled oats and whole wheat flour, this Healthy Apple Crisp is an easy, fall inspired dessert. It’s ready in just under an hour and is a low-hassle alternative to traditional apple pie. Enjoy this refined sugar free crisp that can be made dairy free and is bursting with fall flavors!

The most delicious apple crisp dessert

Nothing screams fall more than warm apple and cinnamon. Truly.

I just love the warmth (and smells) of the spices. They bring up the coziest feelings of crisp fall days spent cuddling under blankets with warm apple cider after running around playing in the cold all day!

This healthy apple crisp brings back all those feelings. It is packed full with warm juicy apples and topped with a crispy, golden crumble. It will remind you of your favorite apple pie, but it’s way less work since an apple crisp is crustless!

Dare I say it… I may even like the crisp better than the traditional apple pie! It’s a MUST for this year’s Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients in this apple pie crisp recipe

Apple crisp consists of two parts: a base and a crispy top layer. For the base we’ll use a boatload of apples (10 cups, to be exact), sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Then, we’ll create a yummy top layer of rolled oats, nuts, and more!

Apple Base

Apples: To begin, start with 10 cups of apples. They should be cored, peeled, and sliced. I used honeycrisp, but any type will work!

Coconut sugar: Add sweet flavor with 1/3 cup of coconut sugar. See below for why this is an awesome swap for creating a healthier dessert!

Cinnamon: Add flavor with 1 tsp of cinnamon.

Flour: Lastly for the apple base, use 1 tbsp of white whole wheat flour.

Crisp

• Rolled oats: Kick off the crisp topping with 1 cup of rolled oats.
• Flour: Next, add 1 cup of white whole wheat flour.
• Coconut sugar: Add more sweetness with another 1/3 cup of coconut sugar!
• Nuts: Next, include 1/2 cup of either walnuts or pecans for a yummy crunch. They should be finely chopped.
• Baking powder: Use 1/4 tsp of baking powder to help the crisp bake properly.
• Baking soda: Do the same with 1/4 tsp of baking soda!
• Cinnamon: Add some more cinnamon for flavor. Use 1 tsp.
• Butter or coconut oil: Finally, 1/2 cup of either melted butter or coconut oil will help the ingredients mix well together and will create for a delicious apple crisp!

Crisp vs. Cobbler vs. Crumble

Something I always used to ask myself was “what the heck is the difference between a crisp and a cobbler?” It always seemed like the two terms were used interchangeably. Baked apples (or berries) topped with some sort of crispy topping was a crisp or a cobbler, no matter the ingredients.

But. Turns out there is a difference! While the filling between all three is typically baked fruit, the difference is all in the topping.

The topping of a COBBLER is usually made of some sort of dough, like biscuits, pastry, or cake batter. The dough is dolloped on top of the fruit. As the dough spreads out and the fruit bakes through the cracks, the dough looks like a cobblestone street. Hence the name cobbler!

A CRISP is made up of a combination of oats, flour, butter, sugar, and spices. When it bakes, it gets crunchy, which is where the name “crisp.” Comes from.

This is actually different then an apple CRUMBLE, which usually doesn’t have oats in its. It’s just sugar, flour, and butter.

So, now you can impress all your family members by explaining the difference while you enjoy this healthy apple crisp!

What makes this apple crisp healthy?

Typical apple crisp is made with all-purpose flour and is loaded with refined sugar and butter.

I’ve made a couple of easy swaps in this recipe to up the nutrient levels. The result is a dessert that will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth, but is also healthy enough to eat for breakfast! I promise, no one will even notice a difference!

This healthy apple crisp recipe uses:

• White whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour is used in place of all-purpose flour, which has a higher fiber content.
• Coconut sugar: I eliminated the refined sugar in this recipe and replaced it with coconut sugar, a natural alternative.
• Walnuts or pecans: Adding chopped nuts to this recipe adds a good source of healthy fats.

Of course, you’re also getting a serving of fruits from the apples and fiber from the rolled oats. This recipe can also be made vegan but substituting coconut oil in place of butter.

Tools used to make this dessert

To create your apple crisp, start with a veggie peeler for your apples. From there you will need a mixing bowl, stirring utensil, baking dish, and measuring cups! Gather 1/4 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make healthy apple crisp

This apple crisp is incredibly easy to make. From start to finish, it takes about an hour.

Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples. Be sure to slice the apples thinly.

Next, mix apples together in a bowl with coconut sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of flour. Pour into baking dish.

Then, combine oats, flour, coconut sugar, pecans/walnuts, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and melted butter/coconut oil and stir until combined. Then sprinkle the crumble evenly on top of your apple mixture.

Now all you have to do is bake for 45 – 50 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and apples are bubbling!

Serving your healthy apple crisp

This apple crisp is best served warm out of the oven to keep the top nice and crunchy!

Honestly this recipe is SO GOOD that it really doesn’t even NEED the ice cream. But, if you want to level up, a big scoop of ice cream melting over this warm apple crisp is definitely a win.

I also love to eat it with a few spoonfuls of yogurt for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. Because oats + apples = breakfast, right?

If you want to reheat this apple crisp, I’d recommend reheating individual portions in the microwave. You can also reheat it in the oven, but be sure to watch to ensure that the crumble does not burn!

Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe (No Sugar)

Apple crisp is a classic recipe that the whole family loves. However, not everyone wants all the sugar in traditional apple crisp recipes.

With just a few simple changes to the ingredient list, you won’t believe that this delicious baked cinnamon apple crisp has no added sugar (refined). And it’s also gluten-free!

The addition of fresh thyme adds balance with a subtle savory note to the delicious sweet flavor profile of this delicious healthy apple crisp recipe.

INGREDIENTS FOR HEALTHY BAKED APPLE CRISP

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients.

Apple Crisp Filling Ingredients

• 6 large apples, cored, peeled, and sliced
• 1 T. fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 c. real maple syrup
• 2 T. 100% apple juice (sugar-free)
• 1 t. ground cinnamon
• ½ t. ground allspice
• 1½ t. fresh thyme leaves
• ¼ t. salt

Apple Crisp Topping Ingredients

• 1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 c. almond flour
• 1/3 c. almonds, sliced
• 1/3 c. honey, preferably local
• 3 T. unsalted butter, melted

The Best Apples To Use For Apple Crisp

When it comes to making the best healthy apple crisp, there are a variety of different types of apples that can be used. Some apples are better suited for baking and hold their shape better when cooked, while others have a richer flavor that is ideal for adding sweetness to the dish.

Some of the best apples to use for this baked apple crisp recipe include Granny Smith and Pink Lady. These tart apples have a firm texture that helps them retain their shape in the oven without losing too much moisture or becoming mushy.

How to Peel and Core the Apples

When making this recipe, it’s important to remove the apple peel and core. Below are some tips to make this process go smoothly.

Peeling and coring an apple is easy with the right tools. For peeling, a paring knife or apple peeler will work. For coring, an apple corer is the best tool, but a paring knife can also be used.

First, wash the apple to remove any dirt or residue. Then, using a paring knife or vegetable peeler, carefully remove the skin from the apple, going around the entire fruit. If using a paring knife, it can be helpful to cut off the top and bottom of the apple so that it can stand upright on your cutting board.

To remove the core with a paring knife, start at the top of the apple and make downward cuts into the flesh of the fruit until you reach the center. Finally, use a twisting motion to remove the core from the apple.

What Can I Substitute For Butter In Apple Crisp?

Melted coconut oil can be substituted for butter in this recipe.

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY BAKED APPLE CRISP

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Follow these simple steps to prepare your apple crisp recipe.

1. Place the top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8” x 8” baking dish and set aside.
2. Place the cored, peeled, and sliced apples in a large non-reactive bowl. Toss with fresh lemon juice. Add maple syrup, apple juice, cinnamon, allspice, thyme leaves, and salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
3. Combine the crumble topping ingredients in a separate medium bowl. Stir until the old-fashioned oats are thoroughly coated and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
4. Pour the apple filling into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Spread the topping evenly across the top in a uniform layer, as well.
5. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. If the top layer is nicely browned, cover dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the apple crisp is nice and bubbling. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
6. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!

HOW TO STORE APPLE CRISP

It’s best to enjoy your apple crisp soon after making it. However, if you don’t finish it all you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

How Long Will Apple Crisp Last in the Fridge

If stored properly in an airtight container, apple crisp will stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

How To Reheat Apple Crisp

You can reheat your leftover apple crisp in the oven. Place the apple crisp in an oven-safe dish. Then heat at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes, then enjoy the warm apple crisp with some ice cream or whipped cream.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What’s the Difference Between Crisp, Crumble, and Cobbler?

A. Apple crisp, apple crumble, and apple cobbler are all popular fall desserts. But what’s the difference between them?

• An apple crisp is made with a topping of oats, flour, sugar, and butter. The topping is then baked on top of the apples.
• An apple crumble is similar to a crisp, but the topping usually doesn’t have oats.
• An apple cobbler has a biscuit-like dough for its topping. The dough is placed in dollops on top of the apples before they’re baked.

Q. Should Apples Be Peeled For Apple Crisp?

A. Yes, we recommend removing the peel from your apples when making homemade apple crisp. While the peel adds a nice pop of color, it can become tough after baking. For a nice soft, delicate filling with tender apples, it’s best to remove those apple peels.

Q. What Can I Substitute For Brown Sugar In Apple Crisp?

A. In this recipe, we use maple syrup, apple juice, and honey as sweeteners instead of brown sugar and refined sugar.

Q. What Are The Best Apples For Apple Crisp?

A. For this recipe, we recommend using pink lady apples or granny smith apples. The key is using a firm apple that has a sweet but tart flavor. Rome Beauty and Honeycrisp apples are also popular choices to use in apple dessert recipes.