Easy Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping
This Easy Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping is healthy-ish, made with less sugar and tastes AMAZING served warm alongside some vanilla ice cream or plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option!
I recently made a pork loin recipe for dinner that included savory, sautéed apples as a topping and it was SO delicious. Most importantly, it was super easy.
Ever since, I have been daydreaming about creating a recipe using sautéed apples — preferably a sweet, cinnamon-y, dessert recipe. Because who doesn’t love a nice, warm apple crisp with ice cream? Hint: no one.
easy apple crisp recipe with oat crumble topping
I make Hummusapien’s Sweet Potato Casserole every year at Thanksgiving, and I immediately thought of it when I decided to attempt an apple crisp. I knew that the oat crumble topping for that recipe would translate perfectly to this recipe, too. Why recreate the wheel, ya know?
I used her Sweet Potato Casserole topping recipe exactly, because it’s so good. Shout out to Alexis for this one! If you have never tried one of her recipes OR if you don’t follow her on IG, you must! She is a fellow Registered Dietitian who is also just a wonderful human. Did I mention her recipes are incredible? Click here to check her out.
All you need for the oat crumble topping:
- Whole wheat flour
- Old-fashioned oats
- Brown sugar
- Chopped pecans
- Butter or ghee
Ingredients you need for the apple crisp filling
The recipe for the apple crisp FILLING was all me. ; ) I’m pretty positive you’ll have all the ingredients you need for this recipe, except maybe the apples. All you need is:
- 5-6 apples, whatever kind you prefer (I used Gala)
- Butter or ghee
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla Extract
- Maple Syrup
- Water
do you need to peel the apples first?
Great news – NOPE! You do not need to peel the apples!
It will save you time to leave the skin on, plus there are good nutrients found there. Leave that yummy skin on, just like I recommend for my Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes!
Don’t worry; it’ll get nice and soft during the cooking process.
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
For The Apple Filling
- 5 medium apples thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp ghee or butter
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup water
For The Oat Crumble Topping
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour or all-purpose
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats GF if necessary
- 3/4 cup pecans chopped
- 2 tbsp butter or ghee, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine all ingredients for the oat crumble topping in a small bowl: whole wheat flour, old-fashioned oats, chopped pecans and melted butter. Stir until all ingredients are mixed well, then set aside.
- Rinse apples and pat dry with a paper towel. Using a sharp knife, cut 5-6 small/medium apples into very thin slices. (Use an apple corer to remove the core first if you'd like, and then cut into thinner slices from there.) Remove any seeds.
- Spray a medium-large skillet with non-stick cooking spray, and add sliced apples to the pan, cooking over medium/high heat. Add 2 Tbsp of ghee or melted butter, and mix in using a spatula.
- Next, add cinnamon, vanilla extract, a dash of salt and maple syrup. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add 1/4 cup water, stir to incorporate and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until sauce starts to thicken, and apples are soft enough to cut using your spatula.
- When ready, transfer the apple & sauce mixture to an oven-safe pie pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Evenly sprinkle the oat crumble topping over the top of the apples using a spoon.
- Transfer the pie pan to the preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Remove from oven and serve warm by itself, or alongside vanilla ice cream, or plain/vanilla Greek yogurt for a healthier option. A serving is roughly 1/2 cup.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe would be great for a special occasion, or just for fun to enjoy with your family! My husband loved it, and I’m pretty sure kiddos will love it too. ; )
Can’t wait to hear what you think! Be sure to tag me on Instagram @wellnessforthewin if you give it a try, pin this recipe on Pinterest to make again in the future, and be sure to leave a rating and review if you love it! I appreciate your feedback more than you know!
Thanks for reading – enjoy!
Shanna