When dessert cravings strike, finding something delicious that also fits into a healthy food routine can feel like a challenge. Enter the spiralized apple crisp: a modern take on a traditional recipe that satisfies your sweet tooth without compromising on health.
With tender spiralized apples and a crisp oat topping, this dish is the perfect balance of wholesome and indulgent.
A Fun Way to Enjoy Apples
Why slice apples the old-fashioned way when you can spiralize them? This technique not only adds a playful presentation but also cuts down on prep time.
Spiralized apples create a delicate texture that absorbs all the warm spices and sweet flavors in this recipe. It’s a creative way to enjoy apples while still keeping the recipe light and healthy.
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If you’re looking to make it even more exciting, you can easily swap the apples for pears for a unique variation on this crisp. No matter which fruit you choose, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
What Makes This Recipe Healthy?
Unlike traditional apple crisps, this recipe takes a health-focused approach without sacrificing taste. Here’s why it stands out:
- Natural Sweeteners: Instead of processed sugar, the recipe uses pure maple syrup and coconut sugar for sweetness, keeping it naturally balanced and free of refined ingredients.
- Gluten-Free Options: Almond flour and rolled oats form the topping, making this an ideal dessert for those who follow a gluten-free lifestyle.
- Nutrient-Packed Ingredients: Apples are high in fiber and vitamin C, while the oat topping provides whole grains and healthy fats from coconut oil or butter.
These thoughtful ingredient choices turn a classic dessert into a guilt-free indulgence.
Tips for Perfecting Your Apple Crisp
Getting the best results from this spiralized apple crisp is all about the details. Here are some tips to ensure your dish comes out flawless every time:
- Choose the Right Apples: Opt for tart varieties like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness of the topping. They hold their shape well during baking, ensuring the spirals don’t turn mushy.
- Spiralizer Settings Matter: Use a thicker noodle setting on your spiralizer for even baking. Thinner spirals may cook too quickly and lose their texture.
- Customize the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter crisp, add a touch more maple syrup to the apple base or sprinkle extra coconut sugar on top before baking.
This recipe is easy to adapt based on your personal preferences, making it perfect for experimentation.
Easy Modifications for Special Diets
One of the best things about this spiralized apple crisp is how versatile it is. Here are some quick modifications to suit a variety of dietary needs:
- Vegan-Friendly: Swap the melted butter in the topping for coconut oil or vegan butter for a completely dairy-free dessert.
- Lower Carb: For a low-carb version, use a sugar substitute like erythritol instead of coconut sugar and maple syrup.
- Nut-Free: Replace the almond flour with a nut-free alternative, such as sunflower seed flour, to make the dish safe for those with nut allergies.
With these simple changes, you can serve this healthy food recipe to anyone, no matter their dietary preferences.
Make It a Showstopper
Want to elevate your spiralized apple crisp even more? Here are some ideas to make it extra special:
- Toppings: Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a dairy-free option, use coconut whipped cream or non-dairy ice cream.
- Add Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the topping before baking for an added layer of texture and flavor.
- Spice It Up: Mix in a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves to the apple base for a deeper, spicier flavor profile.
These finishing touches turn this comforting dessert into a memorable centerpiece for any gathering.
Storage & Reheating Tips
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this dish stores beautifully. Simply cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer the crisp to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to five days.
To reheat, pop it in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes, or microwave individual portions in 30-second increments until warmed through.
It’s the ultimate combination of healthy ingredients, comforting flavors, and easy preparation, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion. So grab your spiralizer and get ready to enjoy this fresh take on a timeless favorite!
Healthy Spiralized Apple Crisp Recipe
Equipment
- Spiralizer
- 13 x 9-inch baking dish
Ingredients
For the Fruit Base:
- 6 Granny Smith apples spiralized
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Apple Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Set the Oven Temperature: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the Apple Filling:Place the spiralized apples in a large bowl. Add the maple syrup, arrowroot powder, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon. Toss the mixture thoroughly to ensure the apples are evenly coated.Transfer the apple mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Mix the Topping:While the apples are baking, prepare the topping. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt.Pour the melted butter or coconut oil into the dry mixture, along with the vanilla extract. Mix well until the ingredients clump together.
- Combine and Bake Again:Once the apples have baked for 20 minutes, remove the dish from the oven. Use tongs to gently stir the apples, ensuring they are cooked evenly.Spread the prepared topping evenly over the apples, pressing down slightly to ensure good coverage.Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Serve: Allow the crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, topped with whipped cream or ice cream, either dairy-based or non-dairy.
Notes
- For a variation, consider using spiralized pears instead of apples, or include other fruits like peaches for added flavor.
- If using thinner spiralizer settings, monitor the baking time as the apples may cook faster.
- This recipe is gluten-free and can be adapted to a vegan diet by substituting coconut oil for the butter.
Nutrition
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.