This Healthy Apple Crisp is my go-to fall dessert when I want something cozy yet wholesome. The apples bake down perfectly, and the hazelnut topping adds the best crunch. It tastes amazing warm from the oven.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
This healthy apple crisp is my favorite way to turn fresh apples into something cozy and delicious. Here's why I love it:
- Toasty Hazelnut Topping: Chopped hazelnuts bring the best crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs so well with tender apples.
- Warm and Spiced: The filling is packed with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. It smells incredible and tastes even better.
- Better-For-You Sweetness: Maple syrup and coconut sugar make this crisp feel indulgent without going overboard. It's healthy and delicious, just like my Healthy Oven Baked Apples.
- Just the Right Texture: The apples turn soft but never mushy, and that crisp topping gets perfectly golden in the oven.
- Fall Favorite: I make this when I want something comforting but still wholesome. It’s even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Key Ingredients
- Apples – Naturally sweet and tart, apples create the juicy base of the crisp and soften beautifully while baking.
- Lemon Zest & Juice – Adds brightness and helps prevent the apples from browning while balancing the sweetness.
- Cinnamon, Cardamom & Ginger – This warm spice mix enhances the apples and gives the filling its classic cozy flavor.
- Cornstarch (or Arrowroot Powder) – Thickens the fruit juices during baking, keeping the filling from becoming too watery.
- Maple Syrup – Adds natural sweetness with a deep, rich flavor that complements the spices and apples.
- Hazelnuts – Toasted and chopped, hazelnuts add a nutty crunch to the topping and pair well with the apples and spices.
- Rye Flour – Provides a slightly earthy flavor and a hearty texture that makes the topping more wholesome.
- Brown Sugar (or Coconut Sugar) – Sweetens the crisp topping and helps it bake into a golden, caramelized layer.
- Cold Butter – Cut into the topping mixture, butter creates a crumbly, crisp texture that contrasts the soft apples underneath.
- Salt – A small amount sharpens the flavors and balances the sweetness in the topping.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:
- Apple Choices: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady are all great for baking, but you can use any firm, slightly tart apple like Fuji or Braeburn. Mixing a few varieties gives the filling more depth.
- Sweetener Options: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness, but you can also use honey or date syrup. For the topping, brown sugar can be swapped with coconut sugar or turbinado sugar for a similar texture.
How to Make Healthy Apple Crisp
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 10–15 minutes until fragrant and skins crack.
Step 2: Transfer hot nuts to a kitchen towel and rub for 30–60 seconds to remove most of the skins.
Step 3: Chop hazelnuts into small pieces or pulse briefly in a food processor.
Step 4: Peel, core, and chop apples into ¾-inch chunks. Add to a bowl with lemon zest, lemon juice, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cornstarch, and maple syrup. Mix well and transfer to a 9-inch baking dish.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, combine chopped hazelnuts, rye flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add cold butter and work it in with your fingers until the mixture is coarse and clumpy.
Step 6: Spread the topping evenly over the apples. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
Step 7: Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you prefer a more rustic texture and want to save time, you can leave the skins on. Just make sure to wash the apples thoroughly and slice them thinly so the skins soften while baking.
Walnuts, almonds, pecans, or even sunflower seeds will work well. Each nut brings a slightly different flavor and crunch, so feel free to use what you love or have on hand.
It’s lightly sweetened with maple syrup and a small amount of sugar in the topping. If you like things sweeter, you can add a tablespoon or two of extra sugar to the filling.
Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back that crisp topping texture.
More Apple Recipes You'll Enjoy
- Apple Sponge Cake - This Apple Sponge Cake, also known as Russian Sharlotka, is a super delicious and moist dessert that will quickly become your new favorite apple dessert.
- Crispy Apple Pie Egg Rolls - These Apple Pie Egg Rolls are crispy on the outside with a tangy and moderately sweet green apple filling. They make a great choice for breakfast or brunch.
- Russian Pancakes with Apple - Cozy, sweet and so delicious, these homemade Ukrainian/Russian pancakes are a staple on a weekend breakfast menu.
- Healthy Baked Apples - You're going to love these 5-Ingredient Healthy Bake Apples! They are an affordable homemade treat that's perfect for a healthy breakfast or dessert.
Recipe
Healthy Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 6 apples medium, like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady
- 1 lemon small, zested and juiced
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon corn starch or arrowroot powder
- ¼ cup maple syrup
For the Topping:
- ¾ cup hazelnuts raw
- ¾ cup rye flour medium or dark
- ⅓ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ cup butter cold, cut into small cubes (1 stick)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and spread the whole hazelnuts (skins on) in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 10-15 minutes until they’re fragrant and the skins look cracked.
- Transfer the hot nuts to the clean kitchen towel. Fold the towel over the nuts and vigorously rub them together for about 30−60 seconds. This will loosen and remove most of the skin.
- Chop the hazelnuts into small pieces or pulse for a few seconds in a food processor.
- Peel and core the apples. Cut them into small ¾ inch chunks and add to a large bowl.
- Add lemon zest, lemon juice, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cornstarch and maple syrup. Mix to combine and transfer to a 9’ baking dish.
- In a separate large bowl, combine chopped hazelnuts, rye flour, brown sugar and salt. Using your fingers, work cold butter into the flour and nut mixture until a coarse, sandy, and clumpy mixture forms.
- Spread the topping evenly over the apple filling and bake at 350 F for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is deeply golden.
- Remove apple crisp from the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes, and then serve it with a dollop of ice cream.
Notes
- Cut the apples into evenly sized chunks about ¾ inch thick. This helps them cook uniformly and gives the crisp a nice texture.
- Work the cold butter into the topping with your fingers. This creates that perfect coarse, clumpy texture that turns golden and crisp in the oven.
- Make sure the topping is evenly spread over the apples. This ensures it bakes uniformly and every bite has both fruit and crunch.
- Let the crisp rest for 5 minutes after baking. This gives the juices time to settle and the topping to firm up before serving.
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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