Healthy apple crisp with granola is a no refined sugar spin on the traditional fall dessert. Made with no butter and without brown sugar. Simple & easy to bake in just 45 minutes! Gluten free, dairy free and vegan and less than 150 calories per serving!
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With temperatures dropping and fall on its way, it's time to break out all of the classic apple and pumpkin desserts. Whether it's pumpkin or apple pie, baked healthy desserts are one of the best things about the autumn season (like these apple cider donuts!). We also love this Thanksgiving fruit salad which is another healthy way to use up apples!
If you love easy dessert recipes also try out this easy apple cobbler, blackberry cobbler, nectarine cobbler, or peach cobbler with cake mix!
Why This Recipe Works
- Lots of apples from apple picking or the farmer's market? This is the best of the best crisps you can make when there are leftover apples around (also try these healthy apple fritters, pie or nacho recipes!)
- This healthy apple crisp is easy & versatile for lots of holidays and celebrations - Christmas, Thanksgiving, summer picnic and cookout guests will love this healthy apple crisp. You can also swap out the fruit and use strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pears, plums, rhubarb or peaches - whatever is in season.
- Made with no flour, rather with whole grains, less sugar and wholesome ingredients making it perfect for dessert, snack or breakfast!
Ingredients for This Recipe
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Granola: I used my vanilla almond granola for this recipe or store-bought works well too!
- Apple pie spice: you can swap for cinnamon or pumpkin spice if you do not have this. You can always add in your favorite fall spices like cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin spice, allspice and more.
- Maple Syrup: You can always choose another low sugar option or coconut sugar or raw honey. A no sugar option like powdered stevia or monk fruit sweetener would work also.
- Apples: Using a sweet apple like Pink Lady or Honey Crisp is a great way to make this recipe with no sugar. If you choose a tart apple like Granny Smith, you will want to keep the sweetener.
How to Make This Recipe
This is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Begin by washing and peeling the apples. Slice evenly, very thinly or dice.
- Stir apples with water, coconut sugar and spices.
- Mix together granola, honey and coconut oil.
- Add filling to a prepared baking dish (an 8X8 dish works well) and top with granola. Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes, covering with foil for the final 10 minutes if granola begins to brown too much.
Expert Tips
- Storage Instructions: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I do not recommend freezing it.
- Make ahead instructions: Assemble healthy apple crisp leaving off granola and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Top with granola when ready to bake.
- Topping Suggestions: Top with vanilla bean or French vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or vanilla Greek yogurt.
- Healthy apple crisp is quick to reheat in the microwave or warm it up in the oven for 5 minutes at 350F or until heated through.
- Make recipe for one or for two by adjusting measurements in the recipe card and using ramekins instead of a baking dish. To double recipe, double ingredients and use a 9X13 pan.
- Peel the apples to allow apples to cook evenly. I recommend this extra step as it really makes a difference in the texture.
- Use a paleo or gluten free granola if needed and serve with dairy free ice cream if necessary.
- To make nut free healthy apple crisp, use a nut free granola.
- If you want more nuts in the recipe you can add in some chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds to the apples.
Recipe FAQs
If you are looking for a tart flavor Granny Smith is a great selection. Honey crisp is a sweeter apple, while Gala apples would provide a perfect balance of tart and sweetness. Any apple like Jonagold, Braeburn and Cortland would also be great!
You're not alone if you thought they were all the same! Luckily the Farmer's Almanac helped to distinguish the difference. The basic difference lies in the topping where a crisp contains oats or oatmeal, unlike a crumble made without oats and cobblers that have biscuit toppings.
Peeling the apples allows them to cook evenly. I recommend this extra step as it makes a huge difference in texture.
This recipe uses coconut oil instead of butter. You can also use refined coconut oil if you prefer to omit the coconut flavor.
Related Recipes
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Healthy Apple Crisp with Granola
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 cups sliced apples approx 5 large apples
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- ½ cup granola
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- While oven is preheating, wash, peel & slice or dice apples. Stir apples in a bowl with water and spices. Add mixture to an oven-safe dish, such as an 8X8 Pyrex baking dish or a cast iron skillet.
- Melt coconut oil & raw honey and combine with granola. Top apples with granola mixture.
- Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes, covering with foil for the final 10 minutes if granola begins to brown too much.
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