This recipe for Mom's Healthier Apple Crisp is simple, delicious, and mostly guilt-free! The apple filling is like that of apple pie, while the brown sugar crisp oat topping is full of cinnamon flavor and is naturally vegan.
This recipe was inspired by my mother-in-law! She made it for Thanksgiving one year and I've been hooked ever since!
In a way, this apple crisp is a classic and one that my husband grew up eating at home. It's a comfort dessert for sure!
Who doesn't love apple crips?! It's like a bite of Fall in your mouth between the juicy apple filling and then the cinnamon spiced brown sugar oat crumble on top.
What makes this apple crisp healthier?
There is a little less sugar and fat in Mom's Healthier Apple Crisp recipe compared to the many other apple crisps out there.
I'm not opposed to sugar and fat in my recipes (bring on the butter!!), but you for sure feel a little less "guilty" when eating it. Plus, the flavor is so amazing you won't even know it's missing any dairy.
That's what makes this recipe naturally vegan. There is no dairy. So, no butter, eggs, or milk.
Trust me when I say you won't even realize the crisp topping is missing butter because it is so flavorful between the brown sugar, maple syrup, and a whole teaspoon of cinnamon!
Why Mom's Healthier Apple Crisp Is The Best:
- It's extremely easy and delcious to make year round!
- Two different types of juicy apples are used for the filling.
- It's topped with a brown sugar cinnamon oat crisp topping.
- Contains less fat because it's vegan.
- You don't have to feel guilty having one, two, or even three servings!
What Apples Are Best For Apple Crisp?
Just like with my homemade apple pie, I like to use two different types of apples when I'm baking a dessert out of them.
- Granny Smith Apples
- Honeycrisp Apples
Granny Smith apples have a tart flavor and a beautiful green color. I love how they taste when paired up with Honeycrisp apples, which are more sweet and have a great crisp texture (just like their name says).
Now, those are just the two I like to bake with the most, but there certainly are other kinds of apples you can choose. Such as:
- Golden Delicious
- Fuji
- Gala
You decide which ones you want to bake with! I'd just recommend picking two kinds. 🙂
Baking Tips Before Starting:
- Prepare Baking Pan: I use my 8x8-inch baking pan for this recipe, but you can also use a 9-inch pie pan. Spray down your pan with non-stick spray before adding the apples to it.
- Apples: Be sure to core and slice your apples into 1/4 inch slices. Peeling the apples are optional because I don't taste much of a difference whether they're peeled or not. Plus, it takes more time to peel them, so I just leave the skins on!
- Mix Ingredients Thoroughly: For both the apple filling and the oat topping, be sure to combine all of the ingredients thoroughly. I like to use my wooden spoon to ensure that everything is mixed together completely.
Ingredients In Apple Crisp:
- Apples: Use two different types of apples. I used Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. Check out the other apples I suggest earlier in this post.
- Apple Juice: Gives more moisture and flavor to the apples.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a bit of tartness to the apple filling.
- Corn Starch: Used for thickening the filling when baking.
- Cinnamon: Warm spice flavor that goes well with apples.
- Salt: Enhances the other flavors.
- Oats: The main component of the crisp topping.
- Flour: Binds the crisp topping together.
- Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps for all of the ingredients in the crisp to come together.
How To Make Mom's Healthier Apple Crisp:
I love how easy this apple crisp recipe is to make! From start to finish it takes just one hour to prep and then bake. You'll be eating your apple crisp in no time!
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray your 8x8-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Core, peel (optional), and slice your apples into 1/4 inch slices and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the apple juice, lemon juice, corn starch, cinnamon, and salt and mix together. Pour your apples (including the juices) into the prepared pan.
- Crisp Topping: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, vegetable oil, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon. Pour over the top of the apples.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, just until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft. Use a toothpick to check the doneness of the apples. Allow the apple crisp to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before serving.
Feel free to add whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or even caramel sauce to your apple crisp! I personally LOVE mine with whipped cream. 🙂
How To Store Mom's Apple Crisp:
Keep any leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
At that point, you can choose to eat it cold or reheat it in the microwave (my personal preference). Just warm it up for 20 seconds at a time until warmed through.
Let me know in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest how you liked this healthier rendition of apple crisp!
Did you even miss the butter in the crumble?!
More Delicious Recipes To Try:
Mom's Healthier Apple Crisp
Equipment
- 8x8 inch baking pan
Ingredients:
- 4-5 medium-sized apples, cored, peeled (optional), and sliced into 1/4 inch slices (I recommend using two different types of apples)
- 1/3 cup apple juice or apple cider
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp corn starch
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
Crisp Topping:
- 2 cups oats
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray your 8x8-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Core, peel (optional), and slice your apples into 1/4 inch slices and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the apple juice, lemon juice, corn starch, cinnamon, and salt and mix together. Pour your apples (including the juices) into the prepared pan.
- Crisp Topping: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, vegetable oil, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon. Pour over the top of the apples.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, just until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft. Use a toothpick to check the doneness of the apples. Allow the apple crisp to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before serving.
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