Make your apple crisp healthier with this healthy apple crisp! This Healthy Gluten Free Maple Apple Crisp is gluten free, cane sugar free, and has less sugar than traditional recipes for apple crisp
Think you can’t find allergy-friendly comfort foods that are easy to make and healthy? Think again!
If you are looking for a sweet apple recipe for fall, than look no further: this healthy apple crisp recipe is simple, delicious, gluten-free, and has no cane sugar and no flour. Awesome!
A week or so ago I asked friends on Facebook which fall recipe they would love to see re-made. One of my friends wanted to see a healthier, gluten-free apple crisp recipe that had less sugar. Here it is: my Healthy Gluten Free Maple Apple Crisp!
Some traditional apple crisp recipes have 316 calories per serving (of similar size) and have and entire cup of sugar (or more) for a 6 serving recipe. I decided to create with my own recipe that is healthier, gluten-free, and uses pure maple syrup instead of white and brown sugar.
My healthier Maple Apple Crisp recipe has just a bit over 200 calories per serving (less if make the servings smaller), has no cane sugar in it, and it’s gluten-free, allergy-friendly, and vegan!
With the first batch I used jazz apples, but in my second batch I used Granny Smith apples and the tart apples made a huge difference in taste!
I recommend using tart apples in this recipe (green or not), but if you don’t have tart apples you can toss in 1 or 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice to the apple filling to add some tartness to balance the sweet.
Here’s a creative way to use the apple crisp leftovers (if you have any!): Take a scoop of apple crisp and blend it with some non-dairy ice cream and a bit of non-dairy milk for an apple crisp milk shake (like an apple pie milkshake)…Yummy!
If you are curious about the margarine I use, here it is:
This is my go-to when we need margarine for anything. It is non-hydrogenated, soy-free, natural, non-GMO, and gluten-free making it perfect for us. Plus, it tastes good and bakes well.
Healthy Gluten Free Maple Apple Crisp
Gluten free, vegan
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 medium tart green apples 4 cups cored and sliced
- 2 Tablespoons healthy soy-free margarine I use Earth Balance Soy-Free or coconut oil, melted
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup gluten-free quick oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons soy-free margarine Earth Balance or coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
- Lightly oil a 9×9-inch square baking dish and set aside
- Prepare the filling:
- Halve the apples, core them, and slice thinly. You should have about 4 cups. I don’t peel the apples since the peel adds fiber, but you can peel your apples first if you like
- Place the apples in a large bowl and toss with the cinnamon and nutmeg until thoroughly coated. Add maple syrup and melted margarine or coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix to coat the apples thoroughly.
- Spread the apple mixture in the bottom of the prepared dish and set aside
- Prepare the crisp topping:
- I a medium bowl, toss the gluten-free quick oats with cinnamon and salt
- Add melted margarine or coconut oil and maple syrup and mix well. Sprinkle oats evenly over the top of the apples
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the apples are soft. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Sarah Jane Parker is the founder, recipe creator, and photographer behind The Fit Cookie. She’s a food allergy mom and allergy friendly food blogger of 12 years based in Wyoming. Sarah is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach, Revolution Running certified running coach, and an ACE Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
Hello! This is in the oven right now and it smells amazing! I was looking for a recipe that was gluten, dairy, and nut free. Many gf crisps call for almond flour, and I know simply replacing with a different flour would produce a different result. I only have gf whole oats right now, so I have a feeling this will come out a bit crunchier, but will hopefully still be good. One question, in step #5 it says, “Place the apples in a large bowl and toss with the cinnamon and nutmeg until thoroughly coated. Add maple syrup and melted margarine or coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix to coat the apples thoroughly.” Is the repetition of the syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg a typo, or did I do something wrong?
Thanks for a great recipe that ticks lots of food-allergy avoidance boxes!
Hi Julia! I bet that repetition is a typo of mine, I’ll have to go back and fix that. Keep me posted how you like the recipe once it’s done! 🙂
This sounds wonderful! Am thinking of making for Thanksgiving.. can it be made ahead of time?
Hi Kathy! You could make this 1 day ahead, I probably wouldn’t make it ahead much more than that. The topping won’t be quite as crispy when made ahead. If you make this a day ahead, I’d store this at room temperature just like you would for fruit pies (non-custard type pies). If you want the topping to be crispier, you can pop it un the oven for 10-15 minutes before serving to add some warmth and more crisp!
Thank you so much!
This is an amazing recipe- its my new go-to for fruit crisp!
Thank you so much Gaston!
This is the best maple apple crisp I’ve tasted! I found this recipe last year and have made it more times than I can count. I absolutely love it! I started a no refined sugar diet last year and this recipe was a huge help in seeing me through. I have lost over 30 pounds and because of this recipe, see no need to return to refined sugar. P.S. I love the granola and usually double the recipe for it on my crisp:)
Thank so much for the kind words Shannon! I’m so glad I could help you out with this recipe 🙂 If there are other recipes you’d love to see on our blog, let me know!
Wow that looks absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to give it a shot. And blending it into a smoothie? Ohhh man I foresee some apple pie breakfasts in the near future! 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Ariana! This crisp was so good, I ate it for breakfast a couple times (yum!) 😉
Mmm apples.. always love! I’m starting to do much more gluten free so this is awesome! I never knew of this buttery spread either. Glad they have a soy-free version.
I LOVE the Earth Balance Soy-Free (we have soy intolerances), it’s so nice to have a healthy and allergy-friendly margarine around the house 🙂 I am even experimenting making toffee with it!
I have to say- I love how simple the ingredients are for this! That means you’ll really be able to taste each individual flavor (and, in my opinion, there aren’t many things better than apple crisp!).
I would HAVE to pair it with some vanilla ice cream though… that’s just a given. 🙂
Oh yes, adding ice cream would be awesome! I love crisps – sooo much easier than making pie 🙂