Granola Topped Healthy Apple Crisp

This naturally sweet and delicious recipe is gluten/dairy free; sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup for the perfect healthy fall dessert!

We went apple picking a few weeks ago, so I was on the hunt to find some great apple recipes to test out and share with you all. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional apple crisp – this recipe is a wonderful place to start.

What’s the difference between crisps & crumbles? Crisps are traditionally made with an oat base, while crumbles typically have a flour and butter-based topping. We’ll add chopped pecans to our dish for a delicious crunch of healthy fats and flavor!

WHAT MAKES THIS APPLE CRISP HEALTHY?

A lot of apple crisps are made with loads of butter and sugar, while this apple crisp is much more nutritious!

Whole Grains – We’ll use old fashioned oats instead of refined flour for our crisp topping

Low sugar – Rather than using regular sugar, we’ll use just a small amount of maple syrup and allow the pure sweetness of the apples to shine through

No butter – Instead of using butter, we’re using coconut oil which is much more nourishing.

WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES TO USE FOR APPLE CRISP?

For this recipe, I chose Pink Lady apples. Luckily, we went apple picking later in the season, so we got to snatch up these beautiful pink ladies on our trip. They’re the impeccable combo of sweet and tart making them perfect for desserts!

Truly any apple can work for this recipe – it’s all about your taste bud preference.

ADDITIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS

Nut Free – To make this nut free you can omit the pecans. If you’d like to add in some crunch you could swap in sunflower seeds.

Adding Fruit – This recipe will work great by adding berries like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. Dried raisins or craisins could be a tasty add-in – this will be an addition I’ll try out for my next one!

Maple Syrup – You can substitute maple syrup with honey

Oats – If you don’t have old fashioned oats on hand, you can use quick oats

Toppings – This recipe wouldn’t be complete without a little added pizzazz to the top; I added a couple dollops of cool whip for a tasty treat. Feel free to spruce up your dessert with Greek vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream!

STORING/PREPARING APPLE CRISP

Storing: This apple crisp will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days

Freezing: Freezing isn’t the best option, as the topping would lose its precious crisp

Preparing in advance: You can prepare this recipe 3-4 hours in advance of baking it; be sure to refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.