Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe (Under 200 Calories & Easy To Make!)

This healthy apple crisp recipe layers baked cinnamon apples with crispy crumble topping, and it’s packed with wholesome ingredients!

Apple Oat Crisp (Low Calorie Apple Dessert)

Why you’ll love this healthy apple crisp recipe

Sweet, spicy, soft, crunchy, and buttery, all in the same dessert.
Saves you over three times the amount of sugar of traditional apple crisp.
Low fat, whole grain, egg free, high fiber, and under 200 calories per serving!
Perfect for winter or summer, topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
This lightened up version of the classic is simple to make with just a few basic ingredients.

You may also love oil free Applesauce Muffins

Step by step recipe video

Key ingredients for the apple dessert

Oats: The topping calls for whole grain rolled oats. You may substitute quick oats if they are what you have in the pantry. Do not use instant oats or steel cut oats. For a gluten free apple crisp, buy certified gluten free oats or swap them for rolled quinoa flakes.

Flour: I love spelt flour in this healthy dessert. Or almond flour gives you a soft and buttery crisp. Whole wheat flour, white all purpose flour, or all purpose gluten free flour work as well. To ensure a moist, soft, and chewy crisp instead of a dry one, it is best to avoid coconut flour.

Applesauce: The recipe gives you the option to use coconut oil or unsalted butter for a more buttery topping. Or omit the fat and go with sweetened or unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana for a low calorie apple crisp dessert. To make a vegan apple crisp with no cholesterol, use dairy free butter, coconut oil, or applesauce.

Sweetener: Just two tablespoons of sweetener compliment the natural sweetness of the fruit. This can be pure maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, or a sugar free substitute. I like to use unrefined raw cane sugar (also called turbinado) in the oatmeal crisp topping. But you can choose regular sugar or no sugar granulated erythritol or xylitol if you prefer.

Cinnamon: Stirring one and a half teaspoons of ground cinnamon into the apple pie filling heightens the sweet cinnamony flavor and provides a small amount of antioxidants as well. Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom if you wish as well.

Salt: A pinch of salt adds character depth to the taste without extra fat or calories. Even with the salt included, it is still a low sodium recipe.

What type of apples should I use?

You will need six cups of sliced apples. Varieties that do well for baking include Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn.

Granny Smith green apples are a great choice as well.

I do not recommend Red Delicious apples for this recipe, or for cooking in general, because they tend to turn mushy when baked and will not caramelize in the oven.

As a fun variation on the recipe, substitute up to two cups of the apples for another fresh or frozen fruit, such as cherries, peaches, raspberries, or blueberries.

Still craving apples? Try these Air Fryer Apples

Healthy Apple Crisp With Oat Crumble Topping

How to make the best healthy apple crisp

You can peel the apples, or leave the skins on for extra fiber. If peeling, do so at this time. Then slice thinly or chop into cubes (your choice), and discard the core and seeds.
Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit or 190° Celsius. Grease an 11 by 8 inch rectangular baking pan or any pan of a similar size. Set this dish aside for now.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, maple syrup or sweetener of choice, cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Stir to evenly mix these dry ingredients.
With a spoon or a spatula, spread the cinnamon apples into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Using either the same mixing bowl or a new one, stir the rolled oats, flour, sugar, and remaining salt until well mixed. Cut in the applesauce, or softened butter or coconut oil to form a crumbly pastry dough.
Sprinkle the buttery crumbles over the apples in the pan. Place the pan on the center rack of the preheated oven.
Bake for 45 minutes. Then cover the top of the baking dish with a sheet of tin foil or with a cookie sheet. Continue to bake for another 15 to 20 minutes or until apples are soft and the crispy topping is lightly golden.
Enjoy hot, or let cool before transferring leftovers to the refrigerator.
The easy apple recipe should keep for up to five days covered and refrigerated or up to two months frozen in an airtight container.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove top, then serve to guests in bowls or on plates. This healthy fruit crisp is also delicious served cold, topped with gooey caramel sauce and a scoop of Almond Milk Ice Cream or Coconut Ice Cream.

Oil Free Vegan Apple Crisp With Ice Cream

Health benefits

High in fiber. The recipe contains over 20% of the RDA for fiber and is also high in vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. Additionally, it is a great source of iron, with over 35% of the recommended daily allowance in just one serving.

Can stabilize blood sugar. Superfood whole grain oats have been shown to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels in studies, leading to a reduced risk of heart disease. They also may help steady glucose levels and improve digestion.

Healthier alternative to cakes or cookies. If you’re craving a sweet treat to end the evening, this nutritious apple crisp offers more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than highly processed packaged snacks or desserts full of high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients.

Surprising amount of protein. When divided into eight single servings of 150 calories, the crisp gives you close to four grams of protein. Double the serving size, and you are getting almost eight grams of protein while still consuming fewer calories and less saturated fat than you’d find in most typical desserts.

Healthy Gluten Free Apple Crisp With Cinnamon Oat Crumb Top

The recipe was adapted from my Blueberry Crisp and this Healthy Apple Pie.

1. Start by peeling the apples. Alternatively, leave the skins on if you prefer. Slice or chop into cubes (your choice), discarding the cores and seeds.
2. Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit (190° Celsius). Grease an 11×8 inch baking pan, or any pan of a similar size. Set aside.
3. Combine apples, maple syrup or sweetener, cinnamon and 1/8 tsp salt in a large mixing bowl, and stir well.
4. Spread the healthy apple crisp filling into the prepared pan.
5. In either the same mixing bowl or a new bowl, stir the oats, flour, sugar, and remaining salt until well mixed. Cut in softened butter or coconut oil, or the applesauce, to form a crumbly dough.
6. Sprinkle crumbles evenly over the cinnamon apples. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 45 minutes.
7. Cover the top of the pan with foil or a rectangular cookie sheet. Continue to bake another 15-20 minutes, or until topping appears golden and apples are soft and caramelized.
8. Serve hot with ice cream if desired, or allow to cool fully before covering and refrigerating.
9. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days, or freeze in an airtight container for up to two months.