This is seriously the best Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe—warm, cozy, and made with juicy baked apples, a golden oat topping, and no refined sugar. It's naturally sweetened with maple syrup and easy to make in under 45 minutes, making it the ultimate low-sugar Fall dessert everyone will love. Plus, it's completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Best Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe
- 🕒 Ready In: 45 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 12
- 🍽 Calories: ~200 calories per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Fresh apples, rolled oats, maple syrup, coconut oil, walnuts or pecans, cinnamon, lemon juice
- 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, healthy, naturally sweetened, no refined sugar
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Warm and cozy with gooey baked apples and a crunchy oat topping, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, lower in sugar, gluten-free and vegan, easy to make in under an hour, perfect for holidays, weeknights, or anytime fall craving strikes.
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Fall baking doesn't get better than apple crisp. It's cozy, nostalgic, and so much easier than pie—but just as satisfying. After testing version after version, I finally landed on the one that truly feels like the best healthy apple crisp: gooey cinnamon-spiced apples that bubble as they bake, topped with a golden oat crumble and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It's become my go-to fall dessert, right up there with my viral Air Fryer Apples and Healthy Snickerdoodles whenever I'm craving those classic autumn flavors.
What makes this recipe special is that it proves wholesome baking can still taste indulgent. Just like my Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies, Gluten-Free Apple Cake, and Baked Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts, it's been tested, perfected, and made to be a little lighter without losing that cozy, homemade feel. Sweetened naturally, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, this is the crisp I turn to year after year—and it always disappears fast.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- What Makes This Apple Crisp Healthy?
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Easy Substitutions & Variations
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- How to Make Healthy Apple Crisp (Step-by-Step)
- 1 Minute Video Tutorial
- Expert Tips for the Best Healthy Apple Crisp
- Serving Suggestions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- More Apple Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Delicious! Made this for Easter Sunday dessert, and it was perfect served warm with some vanilla ice cream. I made both the filling and the crumble the day before and kept them separately (so the crumble wouldn't get soggy), and it worked out great when I baked them together the next day. Highly recommend!
- Aisha
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthier twist on a classic — warm, gooey apples with a crunchy oat topping that's just as satisfying as pie, just like this air fryer apple crisp (single-serve).
- Naturally sweetened — made with maple syrup and no refined sugar.
- Fits all diets — gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, so everyone can enjoy.
- Quick & easy — simple ingredients, 5 minutes to prep, and ready in under 45 minutes.
- Make-ahead friendly — prep it in advance and bake fresh when you're ready to serve.
What Makes This Apple Crisp Healthy?
- No refined sugar: Naturally sweetened with maple syrup for that cozy fall flavor.
- Wholesome oats + nuts: Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and a satisfying crunch.
- Lighter ingredients: Uses coconut oil or vegan butter instead of heavy butter.
- Diet-friendly: 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- Still indulgent: Lower in sugar than traditional crisps but just as warm, gooey, and comforting.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Apples – I like using a mix of tart and sweet (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for the best flavor and texture. They hold up well while baking and don't turn mushy.
- Rolled oats – The base of the crunchy topping. This healthy apple crisp is made with old-fashioned oats, which give it that crisp, hearty texture, not quick oats. Just like my Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies!
- Maple syrup – Naturally sweetens both the filling and topping while adding a subtle caramel-like flavor without adding refined sugar. Just like my gooey Air Fryer Apples!
- Coconut oil – Keeps the topping crisp without needing butter. You can also use melted vegan butter if you prefer.
- Walnuts or pecans – Add crunch and nutty flavor that balances the sweetness.
- Cinnamon + lemon juice – Cinnamon for warmth, lemon juice to brighten the apples and keep them from browning.
- Tapioca flour (or cornstarch) – Thickens the filling so it's gooey, not watery.
Scroll to recipe card for quantities!
Easy Substitutions & Variations
- Make it gluten-free – This crisp is naturally gluten-free; just be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Make it vegan – The apple crisp is already vegan as written!
- Change the apples – Any baking apple works. Granny Smith adds tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji brings natural sweetness. A mix gives the best flavor.
- Sweetener swaps – Maple syrup gives the best cozy flavor, but honey or coconut sugar works too (note that honey isn't vegan).
- Coconut oil substitute – Swap for melted butter or vegan butter if you prefer.
- Different nuts – Pecans and walnuts are classic, but almonds or pumpkin seeds are also great. For nut-free, simply leave them out.
- Fruit mix-ins – Swap out one apple and add a cup of blueberries or sliced strawberries. Or try my Apple Strawberry Crumble or Apple Blueberry Crumble for a fun twist!
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Ask AI for suggestions on how to substitute the particular ingredient.
How to Make Healthy Apple Crisp (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Core, peel, and thinly slice the apples. Toss them in a large mixing bowl with the maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, tapioca flour, and cinnamon. Transfer the apple mixture into a pie pan or baking dish.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, prepare the crumble topping by mixing together all the topping ingredients.
- Step 3: Sprinkle the oat crumble evenly over the apples.
- Step 4: Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the topping is golden and crisp and the filling is warm and bubbly. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving!
1 Minute Video Tutorial
Expert Tips for the Best Healthy Apple Crisp
- Use a mix of apples – Combining tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp or Fuji) gives the best flavor and texture.
- Slice the apples evenly – Thin, uniform slices bake evenly and prevent the filling from turning mushy.
- Don't skip the lemon juice – Lemon juice and zest brighten the filling and balance the sweetness.
- Cover the apple crisp if needed – If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil so the apples can finish baking.
- Let the apple crisp rest – Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving to let the filling set and the topping stay crisp.
- Make ahead like a pro – Prep the filling and crumble separately, then assemble right before baking to keep the topping crisp.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic combo – Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate fall dessert. I love this high-protein cottage cheese ice cream!
- Lighter twist – Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for extra creaminess.
- Whipped cream – A little homemade whipped cream or coconut whip (if you are vegan) makes it feel special.
- Festive touch – Sprinkle with toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon just before serving.
- Breakfast style – Enjoy leftovers the next morning with yogurt or a splash of milk — it tastes like dessert for breakfast. You can also try this healthy pumpkin baked oatmeal for another Fall staple!
Frequently Asked Questions
I love using a mix! Granny Smith adds that tart bite, while Honeycrisp or Fuji brings natural sweetness. Using both keeps the flavor balanced and the apples from turning mushy.
If the topping isn't crisping, it may just need more bake time. Make sure you're using rolled oats (not quick oats), don't overmix the crumble, and let the crisp cool for at least 10 minutes before serving — that helps the topping set. Another common culprit is oven temperature. If your oven runs cool, the topping won't brown properly. I recommend using an oven thermometer — it completely changed how I bake!
Yes! You absolutely can use frozen apples. For the best texture, thaw them first and drain off any excess liquid so the filling doesn't get too watery. If you bake straight from frozen, expect to add extra bake time — the apples may end up a little softer than fresh ones, but still delicious. Using a thickener like tapioca or arrowroot helps, and a high enough oven temperature makes a difference.
Definitely, I do this all the time. You can prep the filling and topping separately and store them in the fridge, then assemble and bake when ready. Or bake it fully, then reheat in the oven before serving.
They're very similar! In the U.S., "crisp" usually refers to a topping made with oats, while "crumble" typically consists of flour, butter, and sugar. In many places, the terms are used interchangeably.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Room temperature: Let the crisp cool completely, then cover lightly and keep on the counter for up to 1 day. The topping will stay crunchy.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until the topping is warm and crisp again.
- Freezer: Apple crisp freezes beautifully. Once cooled, cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen at 350°F until hot and bubbly.
- Pro tip: Skip the microwave if you want the topping to stay crunchy — the oven (or even an air fryer) works best for reheating.
More Apple Dessert Recipes You'll Love
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Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Best Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Base:
- 4 - 5 red apples, (Honey Crisp or Pink Lady are my favorite)
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoon tapioca flour, or arrowroot starch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup rolled oats, gluten-free certified
- ⅓ cup oat flour, or white whole wheat, all-purpose flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9”x9” baking dish or 9-inch pie dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Core, peel, and thinly slice the apples. Then toss them in a large mixing bowl with the maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, tapioca flour, and cinnamon.
- Pour into the pie pan or baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, make the crumble topping by mixing together all the ingredients. Then, sprinkle the oat crumble evenly on top of the apple mixture.
- Bake for 40 - 50 minutes, until the top, is golden and crisp and the filling is warm and bubbly. If the topping is browning too quickly, cover the pie dish with aluminum foil and continue to bake.
- Allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
Jazmyne says
So good!! topped mine with vanilla ice cream and did butter instead and worked out perfectly !
Tati Chermayeff says
YAY! Thank you for this review, Jazmyne. It's so yummy.
Kristen says
Really tasty version of apple crumble. My only question is who is peeling, coring, and cutting 7 apples in under 5 minutes not to mention the rest of the prep?? You are all much better bakers than I.
Tati Chermayeff says
hahaha! You can keep the skin on 🙂 it is a preference
Astrid says
Delicious! I followed the recipe almost exactly, just used cornstarch instead of the tapioca flour, and for the crumble topping I used half whole wheat flour and half lupine flour for some extra protein. Turned out great, just had some warm out of the oven with vanilla ice cream.
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Astrid - so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe!! This is one of my all time favorites!
Aisha says
Delicious! Made this for Easter Sunday dessert and it was perfect served warm with some vanilla ice cream. I made both the filling and the crumble the day before and kept them separately (so the crumble wouldn’t get soggy) and it worked out great when I baked them together the next day. I used all pink lady apples and olive oil instead of coconut oil and I thought those subs worked well. Highly recommend!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Aisha - thank you for your 5 star review!!! I love this recipe so much.