Using only maple syrup as the sweetener, this Healthy Apple Crisp recipe features perfectly cooked apples underneath a maple pecan oat crisp. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect fall dessert.
Healthy Apple Crisp
There is a time and place for decadent desserts, but sometimes you just want something that is a bit on the lighter side, while still feeling indulgent. Enter this Maple Pecan Apple Crisp. This crisp is like a celebration of apple season, combined with some seriously amazing complementary flavors. The apple layer is just that: all about apples. It's sweetened with only maple syrup, which bakes up with just a slight maple flavor. The crisp layer, also subtly sweetened with maple syrup, is enhanced with a crunch from the oats and pecans.
The whole dish is healthy enough that you won't feel guilty serving it for breakfast, but still dessert-worthy, especially with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
You can't let a fall season go by without making apple crisp, it's a must. So let's get to baking, shall we?
What Makes This Healthy Apple Crisp Special
What I really love about this apple crisp is that it is such a nice balance between being wholesome and a full-on dessert. This apple crisp is on the barely sweet side, using the unrefined sweetness of maple syrup to enhance the natural sweetness of the apples. At the same time, it uses Granny Smith apples which introduces a slightly sour element as well.
The crisp topping is a bit different than most, thanks to the use of maple syrup. It is both crisp and just slightly chewy because of the play between the liquid syrup and the flour.
Ingredients Needed
Here is an overview of the ingredients used in this healthy apple crisp. Keep scrolling down for the full recipe.
- apples (this recipe calls for a combination of Granny Smith and Gala)
- maple syrup (make sure you are using pure maple syrup here!)
- rolled oats
- pecans
- cinnamon
- unsalted butter
- all-purpose flour
- vanilla extract
- cornstarch (for thickening the apples)
- lemon juice
What are the best apples for apple crisp?
For just about any apple dessert, you want to have an apple that can hold it’s shape, has a nuanced flavor and a slight tartness to break up the sweetness of the sugar. Using a combination of apples is helpful because it introduces a few different types of flavors and textures to the pie. Gala and Granny Smith apples are both good choices for apple crisp because they don’t get mushy after a long bake in the oven, and they have a sweet and tart flavor to them.
Other Good Baking Apples
- Cortland
- Yellow Delicious
- Braeburn
- Pink Lady
- Ginger Gold
- Jonagold
The Maple Pecan Crisp Topping
This crisp topping is a bit different in that it doesn't use any refined sweeteners, but instead uses just pure maple syrup. It adds a subtle maple note to it, but also makes it feel just a bit healthier.
To make it, the butter needs to be blended into the flour. You can do this with a pastry blender or you can simply use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour.
Either will work, and should result in a crumbled mixture. Next, the oats and pecans are mixed together. Then, fold in the maple syrup. At this point, do not overmix to avoid excess gluten formation between the liquid syrup and the flour.
How to Serve Healthy Apple Crisp
There is near only one way to serve apple crisp: slightly warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Trust me, you won't be disappointed with this!
When the apple crisp is pulled from the oven and very hot, the apple mixture will still be very liquidy. As it cools, it will thicken up.
Apple crisp is best eaten on the day it is made. If there are leftovers, you can keep them covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat it in the oven, at 350ºF, if desired.
More Apple Recipes:
PrintHealthy Apple Crisp
Using only maple syrup as the sweetener, this Healthy Apple Crisp recipe features perfectly cooked apples underneath a maple pecan oat crisp. Serve it topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect fall dessert.
- Prep Time: 00:10
- Cook Time: 00:55
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For Apples:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 3 medium granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced into ¼” slices
- 3 medium gala apples apples, peeled, cored and sliced into ¼” slices (total 2-½-3 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into ½” pieces
- ½ cup (60 grams) rolled oats
- ½ cup (60 grams) pecan, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF and spread softened butter in an 8x8 baking dish. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Mix together apples, cornstarch and cinnamon in a large bowl. Then stir in maple syrup, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Place inside of the prepared baking dish, pushing the apples down to leave as little space between them as possible.
- Make the crumb topping: Cut or rub in the butter into the flour with your fingers or a pastry blender. Add in the oats and nuts and stir together. Fold in the maple syrup.
- Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping on the apple mixture.
- Bake on the middle rack for 50-55 minutes, or until the apples can easily be pierced with a fork and the mixture is bubbling.
- Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
Notes
Apple crisp is best eaten on the day it is made. If there are leftovers, you can keep them covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat it in the oven, at 350ºF, if desired.
Keywords: Healthy Apple Crisp
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Peter Martin
I made this apple crisp using apples from my own trees. The apples were somewhat smaller than those you buy in the store. That being said, it took at least an hour from the time I started to the time I put the crisp into the oven. I think the advertised ten minute prep time is overly optimistic - unless of course you have a sous chef doing all the work in advance of the final assembly! Finished product was very tasty.
★★★★
Kelli Avila
How lovely you have your own trees! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe. And definitely, every cook works at their own pace. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Sally
Delicious!
★★★★★
Kelli Avila
So happy you enjoyed it, Sally! Thanks for sharing!
Sally
This is just what I was looking for! An apple crisp without sugar so our immune systems can stay strong! I used arrowroot for the starch and gf flour. I had apples from a local tree, and it was pretty fast to make using a peeler/corer/slicer. All my apples were the same variety (tart) so could have used some sugar or ice cream to go with, but over all, perfect! It was sweet enough plain that my kids didn't complain 🙂 Liked the mix of flavors with the vanilla and lemon juice. Definitely going to save this recipe for the future!
★★★★★
Kelli Avila
Awesome, Sally! Love how you made it work for you, and so glad your kids enjoyed it 🙂
Celia Cheng
I made this plus your blueberry pie for Thanksgiving this year! I thought the apple crumble would be a nice mellow compliment. Our small family had both with some fresh whip cream. And they were great for breakfast too! Thank you for your wonderful recipes!
★★★★★