Healthy Baked Apple Crisp
A quick and forgiving dessert featuring warm apples and a wholesome oat topping, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 4 cups sliced apples (about 3 medium apples) Tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg for complexity.
For the Oat Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats (not quick oats) Provides chew and structure.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar Light or dark both work; dark gives a deeper molasses note.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour if needed.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt Balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted Use coconut oil for a dairy-free swap.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch or similar-sized baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the teaspoon of cinnamon until evenly coated. Spread the apples in an even layer in the prepared dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, and salt.
- Pour the melted butter over the dry oat mixture. Stir with a fork until the mixture clumps into coarse crumbs.
- Scatter the oat topping evenly over the apples, covering them as much as possible.
Baking
- Bake on the center rack for 30–35 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the apples should be bubbling and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes. Serve warm.
Notes
For less sugar, reduce brown sugar to 1/3 cup and add a tablespoon of maple syrup. For a nuttier topping, fold in 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or Greek yogurt for a perfect dessert.