Sugar-free Apple Crisp
Welcome to Sugar, Spice & Glitter! Please note, this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, see our Full Disclosure.
As the air gets a bit crispy and chilly, we are bringing you a gourmet recipe for a Cozy Fall Apple Crisp with a crunchy oat topping with a honey almond crunch. This warm apple crisp is bursting with cinnamon apple flavor and natural sweetness, making it a must-bake rustic recipe on a drizzly fall day.
Rustic Apple Crisp Recipe
I claim zero credit for this rustic apple crisp recipe – all credit goes to my friend, Beth, who is an amazing baker committed to developing recipes without processed sugars or artificial flavors.
While my website is clearly called Sugar, Spice and Glitter – making me no hater of processed sugar – I can respect a naturally sweetened dessert and have developed my fair share of processed sugar-free desserts (my favorites include our Sugar-free Banana Bread and our Black Bean Brownies).
Today’s rustic apple crisp features tender baked apples are laced with maple syrup and warm spices, gently softened in their juices, and crowned with a golden oat topping that bakes to a golden crisp.
A touch of fresh thyme adds a subtle herbal note that brings balance and complexity, though it can easily be left out for a more classic profile. The result is cozy and fragrant, with just enough sweetness to satisfy without feeling heavy.
Apple Crisp Variations:
- Swap the almonds for chopped pecans or walnuts for a richer, more buttery crunch.
- Add fresh or frozen cranberries to the apple mixture for a tart contrast to the sweetness.
- Stir in dried fruit, such as golden raisins or chopped dates, for extra bursts of texture and flavor.
- Use pear slices instead of or in combination with apples for a softer, more floral twist.
- Infuse the topping with spice by adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the oat mixture.
- Use a crumb coat topping instead of the oatmeal topping. (Check out our Sweet Potato Casserole recipe for the ingredients and directions for this.)
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats? Quick oats can work, but the topping may be softer and less crisp.
Do I have to peel the apples? Peeling is recommended for a more uniform texture, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer a more rustic finish.
What type of apples should I use? A mix of firm, tart apples like Granny Smith and sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji gives the best balance of flavor and texture.
Is the thyme necessary? Thyme is optional. It adds a subtle, savory element, but the recipe works beautifully without it.
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, assemble the crisp and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving for best texture.
How to store apple crisp: You can keep this recipe on the counter for 1 day, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
How to freeze apple crisp: Store in your favorite freezer containers for up to 3 months. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)
More Amazing Apple Dessert Recipes:
Apple Crisp Ingredients
- Apples, cored, peeled, and sliced
- Fresh lemon juice
- Maple syrup
- Apple juice
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground allspice
- Fresh thyme leaves, optional
- Salt
Topping Ingredients:
- Old-fashioned rolled oats
- Almond flour
- Almonds, sliced
- Honey
- Unsalted butter, melted
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: Slice apples evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate and soften uniformly.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- 8×8-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl (non-reactive)
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Apple corer and peeler
- Knife and cutting board
- Spoon or spatula
- Aluminum foil
- Oven mitts
How to Make Apple Crisp
Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8” x 8” baking dish and set aside.
Place apples in a large non-reactive bowl and toss with fresh lemon juice. Add maple syrup, apple juice, cinnamon, allspice, thyme leaves, and salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
Combine topping ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until oats are thoroughly coated and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Spread the topping evenly across the top in a uniform layer, as well
Place into pre-heated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
If the top layer is nicely browned, cover dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the apple crisp is nice and bubbling. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
Pin this Cozy, Rustic Apple Crisp for a sugar-free dessert with all of the best flavors of fall:
Grab your free printable recipe card for our sugar-free apple crisp recipe:
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.
Sugar-free Apple Crisp
Rustic apple crisp featuring tender baked apples are laced with maple syrup and warm spices, gently softened in their juices, and crowned with a golden oat topping that bakes to a golden crisp.
Ingredients
Apple Filling Ingredients:
- 6 large apples, cored, peeled, and sliced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons apple juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1½ teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup almonds, sliced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Place top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8” x 8” baking dish and set aside.
- Place apples in a large non-reactive bowl and toss with fresh lemon juice. Add maple syrup, apple juice, cinnamon, allspice, thyme leaves, and salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
- Combine topping ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until oats are thoroughly coated and all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
- Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Spread the topping evenly across the top in a uniform layer, as well
- Place into pre-heated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- If the top layer is nicely browned, cover dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 305Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 7gSugar: 38gProtein: 4g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family loves this rustic apple crisp as much as my friends did!
For more decadent desserts, check out our full dessert recipe collection here:
