A healthy vegan apple crisp recipe, with tenderly baked apple filling that is naturally sweetened with dates (sugar-free) and topped with a gluten-free pecan and oat topping.
This recipe is naturally sweetened with dates and is completely vegan and gluten-free. Since this healthy dessert recipe is basically just fruits, nuts, and oats, it could even be enjoyed for breakfast.
Apple crisp is much easier to make than making an apple pie and it is an easy, healthy dessert option for those who are looking for a gluten-free vegan dessert option. Plus this recipe is refined sugar-free.
This apple crisp is perfect for a fall dessert and the holiday season. It is an inclusive recipe that is completely vegan and gluten-free and is easy to digest compared to most desserts that contain highly processed sugars, gluten, and dairy.
A simple drizzle of maple syrup can be added atop if you want something a little sweeter, but either way, this apple crisp will leave you feeling satisfied. Best served with dairy-free ice cream and a drizzle of caramel - try our date-sweetened caramel sauce.
Health Benefits
This apple crisp recipe is a healthy treat (or even breakfast) made from plant-based whole foods. It is made without highly processed sugars and is refined sugar-free.
There are many health benefits to sweetening desserts with fruits, like dates, and using whole food ingredients, rather than highly processed sugars and foods. Benefits include better nutrition, high fiber, gut health, easier digestion, regulated blood sugar and energy, and antioxidants.
This recipe is primarily made up of apples, dates, pecans, and oats and each contributes to this apple crisp's health benefits.
Apples are the star of this recipe. They are a good source of fiber and can promote weight loss and improve gut health. Apples also contain antioxidants and can help lower the risk of cancer.
Dates are used as a natural sweetener in this recipe. Dates are also a good source of fiber and improve gut health by feeding gut flora with prebiotics and also contain antioxidants.
Pecans are a highly nutritious and energy-packed food, and a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium which can help lower blood pressure.
Oats are also high in fiber and nutrient-packed food. They can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Ingredients
Here is what you need to make a healthy vegan apple crisp that is naturally sweetened with dates instead of processed sugar.
Apple Crisp Filling
- granny smith apples and/or honey crisp (or crisp apples of choice)
- lemon juice - freshly squeezed from lemons
- vegan butter or coconut oil
- date paste - to sweeten this recipe follow this quick date paste recipe
- spices & seasonings - ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt
Apple Crisp Topping
- date paste
- gluten-free flour
- old-fashioned oats - to keep this recipe gluten-free make sure to choose gluten-free oats
- almond meal
- pecans
- coconut oil
- spices & seasonings - ground cinnamon, salt
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the apples by peeling them, cutting them in quarters, and removing the core. Thinly slice the apples with a knife or mandoline. As you are slicing add the apples to a large mixing bowl with the lemon juice and coat to prevent the apples from browning.
Add the melted vegan butter, date paste, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt to the large mixing bowl with the apples and toss until well coated.
Add the filling to a large baking dish (about 9x13 inches).
Reduce dishes and use the same large mixing bowl (now empty) and add in the topping ingredients, date paste, flour, oats, almond meal, chopped pecans, cinnamon, salt and melted coconut oil and mix until well combined.
Scoop the toppings over the apple filling in an even layer. Top with extra pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter dessert.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10-20 minutes. Bake until the apples are tender and bubbling and the apple crisp topping is golden brown, a total of 50-60 minutes.
Serve with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Substitutions + Variations
- Sweetness - for additional sweetness add 2 tbsp of maple syrup to the topping mix or drizzle on top
- Nuts - substitute pecans for walnuts
- Vegan Butter - substitute vegan butter for coconut oil
- Toppings - top with vegan vanilla ice cream, coconut whipped cream, and/or some caramel sauce.
Storage
Allow the apple crisp to cool completely and then cover. Leave the apple crisp at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5-7 days.
Apple crisp can be frozen and reheated. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipe
Healthy Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
Filling
- 4-5 apples granny smith + honey crispy
- 1 cup date paste
- ⅓ cup vegan butter melted
- 2-3 tbsp lemon juice 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Topping
- 1 cup date paste
- ¼ cup gluten-free flour
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup almond meal
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil or vegan butter
- coconut oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the apples by peeling them, cutting them in quarters, and removing the core. Thinly slice the apples with a knife or mandoline. As you are slicing add the apples to a large mixing bowl with the lemon juice and coat to prevent the apples from browning.
- Add the melted vegan butter, date paste, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt to the large mixing bowl with the apples and toss until well coated.
- Add the filling to a large baking dish (about 9x13 inches).
- If you like you can use the same large mixing bowl (now empty) and add in the topping ingredients, date paste, gluten free flour, oats, almond meal, chopped pecans, cinnamon, salt and melted coconut oil and mix until well combined.
- Scoop the toppings over the apple filling in an even layer. Top with extra pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter dessert.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10-20 minutes. Bake until the apples are tender and bubbling and the apple crisp is golden brown, a total of 50-60 minutes.
- Serve with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce. Enjoy!
More V + GF Date-Sweetened Recipes
- Try this sticky toffee pumpkin pudding recipe, it is a healthy decadent dessert that is sweetened with dates.
- Try these no-bake healthy rice crispy treats that are made with only 6 ingredients and can be made with as little as 10 minutes of prep time.
- Try this healthy hot chocolate recipe made with cacao powder and health-promoting ingredients like maca, natural sweetener, and ground cinnamon.
- Try these healthy zucchini muffins that are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and free of added sugars, yet it is the most delicious and dense muffin recipe.
- Try this healthy chocolate brownie recipe that is sweetened with date sugar and bananas.
Leave a Reply