Easy Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe – Gluten Free

Homemade healthy apple crisp recipe is a delicious and naturally-sweetened dessert. Tart apples get baked to perfection, creating a soft center with a crunchy, sweet-and-salty nut crust. Everyone will enjoy this gluten-free apple crisp; so much that you’ll forget it’s healthy. I won’t tell if you even eat it for breakfast!

overhead photo of a healthy apple crisp in a pie plate with a wooden spoon in the dish. The pie dish is on a white and red stripped towel with a plate of crisp and apples in the background

This recipe is grain-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Even Whole30 creator Melissa Hartwig approves of this recipe for a special Whole30 occasion, like to bring to a holiday party.

I love to bake. It’s relaxing, it’s a creative outlet, and the best part is that when you’re done, you have something delicious to eat. Baking is a really great hobby… unless you’re on the Whole30. 

Starting Whole30 on May 1st began as a last-minute decision. There was no prep work involved, and so, in my mind, I would simply eat eggs for breakfast every day, meat and veggies for meals, and fruit in between. 

Forget dessert; I was going to break myself of dessert. I was prepared for 30 days of total misery. And besides, May doesn’t really have any major holidays (or so I thought), so this would be the right time to do it!

gluten free apple crisp on a white plate with a vintage fork on a red and cream stripped towel

Whole30 Day 10: The Hardest Day

On day 10, appropriately dubbed one of “The Hardest Days” on the Whole30 timeline, I was faced with some amazing local pizza to celebrate my dad’s birthday. Okay, no biggie. I had a nice salad and practiced great self-control.  

Then, along came the second wave of “The Hardest Days” – day 11. During my Whole30, this day happened to fall on Mother’s Day.  My first Mother’s Day, to be clear.  To celebrate, my sister baked two lemon meringue pies to enjoy at my parent’s home. 

Suddenly, my mind could not comprehend why anyone would start a diet that would discriminate against lemon meringue pie.  

It’s a pie based on fruit and eggs.  It’s probably the healthiest pie of them all!  The most Whole30-loving pie there ever was. Right?? 

I watched those pies as my large family heartily dug in, while I pretended not to care one bit.  

Oh, I cared. But I also stayed true to Whole30, and it was totally worth it. I can say with confidence that I own and practice a monstrous amount of self-control, and I didn’t give in to the lemon meringue pie. However, I was itching to bake and I wanted to celebrate Mother’s Day. 

Whole30 Dessert: Paleo Apple Crisp

So, needless to say, I decided a Whole30 dessert was in order.  Although Whole30 might be disappointed in me for this homemade apple crisp, I’m quite at peace with that. 

Update: Funny story, Melissa Harwig actually linked to this recipe as a perfect Whole30 “dessert” to bring for the holidays… so there is that.  At some point the post was removed, so now I have no proof. But I promise I’m not lying ha.

The Whole30 queen herself even approves of this healthy dessert.  

I threw some ingredients together — whatever I had on hand and seemed right at the time — and the result was actually amazing.  

I didn’t know there was delicious, healthy dessert outside the realms of sticky sugar and flaky crust.

I’ve even served this dessert to non-Whole30 people. You know, regular folks. And they loved it!

Recipe Highlights:

Classic fall dessert: This is the perfect recipe for the holidays, but really any time of year. Tender apples topped with a crumble topping with warm spices. I love making this during apple season since we are apple picking constantly on our property.

Easy apple crisp: Only takes a few minutes to whip up. 

Healthy: Naturally sweetened with no added sugar. Great option for those wanting a healthy dessert.

overhead photo of apple crisp on a small white plate on a marble countertop with a plat of apple crisp and apples in the background

The best baking apples for apple filling:

  • Braeburn
  • Pink lady
  • Granny Smith
  • Honeycrisp
  • Golden Delicious
  • Gala
  • Jonathan
  • Apple crisp

Just to name a few. If you don’t have these, any apple that bakes well will do just fine. And if you don’t, I still encourage you to make this with whatever apples you have on hand. 

apple crisp in a pie plate with a wooden spoon taking a scoopful out

Tips:

  • Start with the best baking apples you can (see above). My favorite is granny smith apples or applecrisp apples.
  • Add your favorite nut. In this recipe I used almonds, but I would definitely be up for trying a few different nuts, or a mixture of different kinds of nuts. If you try it, let me know. 
  • To go totally off the rocker, you could absolutely make this into different fruit crisps like a berry apple crisp by substituting frozen mixed berries for the apples, or do half apples and half berries. The other day, I made it with pears and apples. Delish! It helps that crisps are one of my favorite desserts. 
  • Top it with some coconut whipped cream to make it extra delicious. I like using the fat from the full-fat can. Just refrigerate the can of coconut milk, then skim off the fat off the top and whip it up with a stand mixer or hand mixer.
  • If you don’t have raisins, you could swap them out for dates. 

The links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. See the full disclosure here.

bowls and jars filled with apples, dates, almonds, spices and oil on a marble countertop

Ingredients:

Fresh apples

Dates or raisins: Either work, whatever you have on hand.

Almonds: Or any other type of nut.

Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg add such a delicious flavor.

Salt

​Tools you may need:

8×8 baking dish or pie pan

Food processor

Knife

Cutting board

Measuring cups and spoons

a pie plate full of healthy apple crisp topped with dates and almonds on a marble counter with apples in the background

How To Make Healthy Apple Crisp

Preheat your oven to 400.

Grease an 8×8 baking dish (or a 1.5 or 2 quart baking dish) with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.

apples in a pie plate

Place the apple slices (or chopped apples) in the dish.

dates, almonds, spices, salt, and oil in a food processor

To a food processor, add the remaining topping ingredients. 

crumble topping in a food processor

Process the mixture until it resembles the texture of coarse sand.

hand sprinkling crisp topping over apples in a pie plate

Evenly distribute the crisp topping over the fruit.

crumble topping on top of apples in a pie plate on a marble counter

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then bake uncovered for another 10 -15 minutes, or until fruit is bubbling and apples are soft. Your almond and raisin topping should be golden brown.

Enjoy!

If not doing whole30 or paleo, serve your warm apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

overhead photo of gluten free apple crisp in a pie plate on a white and cream stripped towel with a wooden spoon

Storage: 

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven for best results.

This recipe is so easy and takes very simple ingredients. Because of its simplicity, it doesn’t have any grains or refined sugars, so if you bake for someone who is paleo or gluten-free, then this recipe is perfect for them.  

Find More Apple Dessert Recipes:

If you try this recipe and love it, please come back and give it 5 stars! I will greatly appreciate you and give you a virtual hug.

a pie plate full of healthy apple crisp topped with dates and almonds on a marble counter with apples in the background

Healthy Apple Crisp

Homemade healthy apple Crisp is a healthy and naturally-sweetened dessert. Apples get baked to perfection, creating a soft center with a crunchy, sweet-and-salty nut crust. Everyone will enjoy this recipe
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple crisp, paleo, whole30
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 5
Calories: 310kcal
Author: Libby

Ingredients

  • 4 cups apples sliced or chopped (I used Gala apples)
  • ¾ cup almonds roasted, unsalted
  • ¾ cup raisins or dates
  • 3 T. coconut oil 1 T greasing dish. Could also use avocado or olive oil
  • ¾ tsp. cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp. ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp. nutmeg
  • dash salt

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400.
  • Grease an 8×8 baking dish (or a 1.5 or 2 quart baking dish) with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
  • Place the sliced apples in the dish.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to your food processor. Process the mixture until it resembles the texture of coarse sand.
  • Evenly distribute the crumble mixture over the fruit.
  • Cover and bake for 25 minutes, then bake uncovered for another 10 -15 minutes, or until fruit is bubbling and apples are soft. Your topping should turn golden brown.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Start with the best baking apples you can (see above). My favorite is granny smith apples or applecrisp apples.
  • Add your favorite nut. In this recipe I used almonds, but I would definitely be up for trying a few different nuts, or a mixture of different kinds of nuts. If you try it, let me know. 
  • To go totally off the rocker, you could absolutely make this into different fruit crisps like a berry apple crisp by substituting frozen mixed berries for the apples, or do half apples and half berries. The other day, I made it with pears and apples. Delish! It helps that crisps are one of my favorite desserts. 

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @ablossominglife or tag #ablossominglife!

11 Comments

    1. I like using the fat from the full fat can. Refrigerating the can, skimming the fat off the top and then whipping it up. I tried the cream and wasn’t a fan… Plus then you have milk to add to your coffee. :). This was a delicious and healthy dessert perfect for Whole30. And go you for doing 3!

  1. Can you use walnuts instead of almonds? Just wondering because I have a ton of raw walnuts that I could use, and don’t want to have to buy almonds if it’s not necessary. Thanks! 🙂

  2. Please don’t eat this if you’re on a whole30! Totally SWYPO. But I am really looking forward to making this the next time I need a dessert and I’m back to paleo.

    1. Melissa Hartwig actuallylinked to this recipe as a good option for someone on Whole30 during Thanksgiving. She admits that it’s borderline SWYPO but said that for Thanksgiving she thinks it would be an ok substitute. I plan to make it so I don’t feel so tempted at dessert time tomorrow!

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