Striving to live a wholesome, self-sufficient, and handcrafted life
Healthy Apple Crisp With Maple Sugar
Apple crisp is one of those classic treats that never gets old! But a lot of times these kinds of desserts or breakfasts are loaded with unnecessary sugar. This healthy apple crisp is made of only seven ingredients and sweetened with only unrefined maple sugar. This healthier alternative has the perfect amount of tart from the apples and sweet from the maple sugar. Make this as a healthy breakfast as well as a satisfying treat after dinner. Either way, your family will be asking for this over and over. Better yet, its something you can feel good about serving them!
The Ingredients for your Healthy Apple Crisp
This recipe only calls for seven ingredients. You probably already have all of them in your kitchen right now!
- Apples
- Oats
- Flour
- Butter
- Maple Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon
There are several options when it comes to the type of apple you can choose. I suggest going more to the tart side or doing a mix or tart and sweet. Avoid very soft apples like golden or red delicious, or gala.
Go for a firm apple more on the tart side. Some good options include Pink Lady, McIntosh, or Granny Smith. The tartness of these apples will complement the oats and honey.
Use rolled oats for this recipe. Steel cut oats will not give the right texture for the crumble. For the healthiest dish, go for an organic flour – I use all purpose – and a grass fed butter.
While I love using maple sugar for most of my baking, you could substitute maple syrup in this recipe with no problems!
Maple sugar and maple syrup are natural sweeteners, and will provide a much healthier dish than dishes made with added white sugar or brown sugar.
Preparing the Apples
After selecting your ingredients, the first step in making this delicious healthy apple crisp is to prepare the apples.
To start the process of making your apple crisp, core and peel the apples. Then slice the apples into quarters and cut out the core by placing the apple quarter on its side and slicing diagonally.
Next remove the peeling from each quarter taking as little of the apple as possible.
Now its time to slice the apples. Slice each quarter into about 5 or 6 pieces. The slices of apple should be no more than 1/4 of an inch.
Be sure to save those peelings and cores to make your own apple cider vinegar. Find the recipe here!
Preparing the Crumble
Next, prepare the crumble by measuring out your butter, oats, flour, cinnamon, maple sugar, and vanilla extract into a bowl.
To combine these ingredients, you’ll need to gently combine them using a fork. Now, slowly mash the butter into the oats and flour until the ingredients are combined.
This will take about 5 minutes to incorporate all the ingredients well. You’ll know the ingredients are fully combined, because there will be no visible white flour in the bowl. At this point, it should all be combined into the butter at this point.
Assembling and Baking Your Healthy Apple Crisp
After the apples are peeled, then you can move on to preparing the crumble.
Now it’s time to begin putting your healthy apple crisp together. First, take a small amount of butter on a napkin or paper towel and grease the inside of an 8×12 baking dish. Next transfer your sliced apples to the dish.
After adding the apples, pour the crumble over top. Next, melt an additional 1/4 cup of butter and drizzle over the crumble.
To bake the crisp, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Finally, bake the crisp in the preheated oven for about 40-50 minutes or until the top is slightly browned and the apples are soft.
Additional Options
This recipe is great for seasonal eating! Switch out the fruit for so many different variations. Try using the same number of sliced peaches for peach crisp in late summer. Or use about 5-6 cups of fresh cherries in early summer. Finally, switch out the apples for blackberries and raspberries for a delicious berry crisp!
This dish is delicious with toppings. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a very decadent dessert or drizzle over some heavy cream for a nutritious breakfast!
If you try this recipe and it’s one of your favorites, tag me in a post on Instagram or Facebook @almostheavenhomesteading
Be sure to pin this recipe to your board of ideas for desert or breakfast inspiration!
Be sure to check out my recipe for Apple Scrap Vinegar to use your leftover apple peelings!
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