This healthy apple crisp recipe is refined sugar free, low in carbs - the ultimate fall dessert. Skip peeling the apples, this recipe is super pretty, tasty and no frills.
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Disclosure: We'd like to note that this recipe was seen first on our Instagram, as a paid partnership with Yes! Apples. Making a blog post for this recipe wasn't part of the collaboration, but it's too good not to share here. 😉
Are you a big fan of apple crumble? This version has no added sugar, making it low carb, You're definitely not missing anything. Add a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream when it's fresh out of the oven and you're in for the perfect autumn dessert.
With a unique crumble topping made from coconut flakes, almond flour and rolled oats. The crispy topping and the perfectly spiced, tart, sweet, in tact and firm apple pieces will delight your palate. You'll love the texture too.
Love apples? Be sure to check out this homemade unsweetened applesauce, these keto apple crisp bars, or this Instant Pot apple butter!
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🍎Ingredients
✏️Ingredient notes
You can find the quantities and nutritional information in the recipe card.
- Apples - We used a variety of apples called SweeTango apples for this dessert, and they worked perfectly, because they are the perfect mixture of tart and sweet. You could also use a combination of tart and sweet apples of your choosing, like granny smith apples and honey crisp for instance.
- Apple cider vinegar - To add a bit of acidity and moisture to the apple crisp filling. The flavor is the perfect complement, since we're just incorporating more apple flavor here. If you prefer, you can substitute with equal parts lemon juice.
- Sweetener - Use your favorite sugar free sweetener of choice. We used granular erythritol, but a brown sugar replacement would be wonderful here.
- Unsalted butter - We melt it before combining with the dry ingredients to create a lovely, buttery crumble topping. To make this apple crisp vegan or dairy free, you could use melted (but not hot) coconut oil instead of butter.
- Cinnamon - We use lots of cinnamon in this recipe. Feel free to use apple pie spice if you prefer.
- Kosher salt - To balance and enhance the sweetness and flavor of this dessert.
- Vanilla extract - To add to the filling for a lovely warming flavor.
- Xanthan gum - Use in the crumble topping to get things to hold together better.
- Cornstarch - We use a bit of cornstarch to thicken the apple filling.
- Gluten free rolled oats - Did you know that not all oats are technically gluten free? Although oats are technically gluten free, many brands process them in the same facilities with wheat ingredients. Make sure your package says gluten free on it.
- Almond flour - Or almond meal can be used for a more crumbly texture. If you're not watching carbs as closely, you can use all oats instead of the oat and almond flour combo.
- Pecans - Or any nut you prefer here. Almonds or walnuts would taste great. If you like, you can leave out the nuts entirely, or substitute with more coconut flakes.
- Unsweetened coconut flakes - Make sure there's no added sugar. If you don't like coconut, add more nuts or oats.
📖Instructions
Prepare and partially bake the apples
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add apples to a medium size bowl, combining with some sweetener, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, cornstarch and kosher salt.
Toss to fully combine, then add to a greased casserole dish or cast iron skillet to bake for 30 minutes to soften.
Prepare the crumble topping
While the apples are baking, combine almond flour, rolled oats, pecans, coconut flakes, sweetener, cinnamon, kosher salt, and xanthan gum to make the apple crisp topping.
Add melted butter and stir to combine to make sure everything is incorporated.
Assemble the apple filling and crumble topping
After the apples have been baking for about 30 minutes, give them a small toss to distribute the sweetener and any liquid that has pooled at the bottom.
Add the crumble topping over top of the apples. Return to the oven to bake for another 30 minutes at 350°F.
Bake then serve!
Bake, then serve with your favorite ice cream. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving, as it will be really hot.
✨Tips & tricks
Here are our top tips and tricks for the best sugar free & gluten free apple crisp!
- For an even thicker apple filling, add an extra ½ tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Be mindful of the type of apple you are using for the filling, as sweeter apple varieties won't require as much added sweetener!
🍏Nutrition information
The following nutrition facts per 100 grams of each food. This may be helpful if you want to swap out certain ingredients and you are watching your carb or sugar intake. The following values are provided via USDA data.
- Rolled oats - 350 calories, 13g protein, 8g fat, 68g total carbs, 10g fiber, 0g sugar.
- Unsweetened coconut flakes - 700 calories, 7g protein, 60g fat, 27g total carbs, 20g fiber, 7g sugar.
- Pecans - 691 calories, 9g protein, 72g fat, 14g total carbs, 10g fiber, 4g sugar.
- Almond flour - 571 calories, 22g protein, 50g fat, 22g total carbs, 11g fiber, 4g sugar.
💭Frequently asked questions
Making this apple crisp with gluten instead of using gluten free ingredients or without any carb restrictions is an easy swap for the regular version if you prefer.
First of all, you don't have to be mindful of the brand of rolled oats you're using. You can use any rolled oats that may have come into contact with some wheat along the way.
You can also substitute the almond flour with all purpose flour or whole wheat flour in equal parts. Using flour in place of cornstarch in the apple mixture filling will also be great to thicken it if you prefer, but you will need to use roughly double the amount flour as you would to cornstarch.
You can skip the xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is a common binder in gluten free ingredients, and you don't need it if you're using regular wheat flour.
Yes, you should cover the apple crisp to protect from dust, bugs, etc., but you can keep apple crisp at room temperature for up to 2 days. This is of course as long as there is no ice cream on top.
After storing at room temperature, you can refrigerate for an additional 3 more days. All in all, this apple crisp will keep for about 5 days after making.
🍂More fall recipes to try
- Fall Harvest Whiskey Sangria
- Pumpkin Bars with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- Homemade Sugar Free Apple Cider
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🥣Storage
You can store this apple crisp at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered, then transfer to the fridge for up to 3 days more.
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📖 Recipe
Sugar Free Apple Crisp (Gluten Free, Low Carb)
Ingredients
For the apple filling:
- 2 pounds apples of choice, cored and cut into bite sized pieces (we used Sweetango apples, which are similar to honeycrisp)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup granular erythritol (48 grams)
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch (increase to 1 tablespoon for a thicker filling)
For the crisp topping:
- ½ cup gluten free rolled oats 48 grams
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut flakes 40 grams
- ⅔ cup almond flour 75 grams
- ⅔ cup pecan pieces 80 grams
- ¼ cup granular erythritol 48 grams
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 8 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add apples to a medium size bowl, combining with some sweetener, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, cornstarch and kosher salt. Toss to fully combine, then add to a greased casserole dish or cast iron skillet to bake for 30 minutes to soften.
- While the apples are baking, combine almond flour, rolled oats, pecans, coconut flakes, sweetener, cinnamon, kosher salt, and xanthan gum to make the apple crisp topping. Add melted butter and stir to combine to make sure everything is incorporated.
- After the apples have been baking for about 30 minutes, give them a small toss to distribute the sweetener and any liquid that has pooled at the bottom. Add the crumble topping over top of the apples. Return to the oven to bake for another 30 minutes at 350°F.
- Bake, then serve with your favorite ice cream. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving, as it will be really hot. Save in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
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Notes
- For an even thicker apple filling, add an extra ½ tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Be mindful of the type of apple you are using for the filling, as sweeter apple varieties won’t require as much added sweetener!
- For dairy free or vegan, use coconut oil in place of butter.
Susan Graham says
OMG! The second day I got a wild hair to sprinkle low carb chocolate chips on a helping and heat in the microwave for one minute. That took this recipe OVER THE TOP! I poured just a touch of cream on top and WOW! This would’ve won any cooking show on any channel!! I am making this repeatedly!!
Briana says
Wow, this comment rocks! Sounds amazing with the addition of chocolate chips and cream too! We're so glad you enjoyed it, Susan, and thank you so much for your kind review!
MuslimLady says
This recipe gave us a great apple crisp. I am very thankful for being able to find such a great sugar- abd gluten-free recipe. Everyone loved it! Thank you!
Briana says
Oh I'm so glad to hear this!! Thank you so much for trying it and for the sweet comment!