The Best Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe with Oat Topping

Makes: 6 Servings
Per Serving: 8g Protein | 187 Cal

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When the weather gets crisp and cool, it’s time to embrace all of the fall flavors the season has to offer. Pumpkins may get a lot of attention this time of year, but don’t forget about apples. Apples work well in both sweet and savory dishes ranging from seasonal grilled cheese sandwiches to gorgeous fall salads to pork and chicken dishes, traditional apple pies, and beyond. In this recipe, a fairly classic apple crisp gets a protein-packed twist, making it the perfect way to end the day if you’re on a health journey or trying to boost your protein intake (or just trying to make the most of apple season!).

With slightly sweetened apple filling and a nutty, warm, crunchy oat topping, this high-protein apple crisp is soon to become your favorite fall dessert—and one you’ll want to make again and again.

Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Apple Crisp Recipe

• Protein-Packed: With the addition of a bit of protein powder to the oatty, nutty topping, each serving of this apple crisp gives you 8g of protein.

• Super Simple: Because this recipe is a fairly classic apple crisp rendition, you likely already have most of what you’ll need to make it in your kitchen.

• Versatile and Customizable: Use whichever type of apple or sweetener you prefer, pick your favorite protein powder, swap apples for pears, change up the nuts in the topping, there are tons of ways to make this recipe your own.

Ingredients

Apple Filling:

• 3 medium-sized fresh apples, sliced and chopped (Cosmic Crisp or Honey Crisp recommended)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar, maple syrup, or dark brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumble Topping:

• 3/4 cup gluten-free oats

• 2 scoops of cinnamon or vanilla protein powder (choose a brand/flavor you love)

• Optional: Use 1 scoop of protein powder and 2 extra tablespoons of brown sugar or a sugar substitute (like monk fruit)

• 1/8 cup crushed mixed nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts would all taste great!)

• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

• Dash of salt

• Optional: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom (or other warm spices)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a baking dish.

2. Cut up the apples: Dice the apples and add them to the prepared baking dish. 

3. Make the rest of the filling: Add your preferred sweetener, cornstarch (or thickening alternative), and vanilla extract. Stir to combine and coat the apples.

4. Prep the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, nuts, brown sugar, salt, and spices (if using). Mix well.

5. Soften the butter: Add the butter cubes to the bowl with the oat mixture. Microwave the mixture for 30-45 seconds, until the butter softens. Stir the topping mixture together until it’s the texture of wet sand and forms small clumps.

6. Sprinkle the topping over the apples: Spoon the crisp mixture on top of the apples. Make sure the apples are fully covered in an even layer.

7. Bake the apple crisp: Put the apple crisp into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is crunchy and golden brown.

8. Garnish and serve the apple crisp: Remove the apple crisp from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before plating. Serve with a bit of whipped coconut cream, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Nutritional Information (per serving - serves 6)

• Calories: 187

• Protein: 8g

• Carbs: 23g

• Fat: 7g

Ingredient Swaps

• Sweetener: If you don’t want to use brown sugar, opt for coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, or even a sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.

• Protein powder: If you don’t like (or don’t have) vanilla or cinnamon protein powder, you can just use a plain version. Or, if you’d like, try something like caramel for a delicious twist.

• Nuts: Try different combinations of nuts, or swap in some seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for added crunch.

• Apples: Try using pears in place of apples, or adding in some fresh cranberries for a bit of a different spin.

The Best Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe

Watch the Tutorial

FAQs

• What other types of apples can I use?

  You can use whichever type of apples you like best in this classic fall dessert. For something more tart, opt for something like Granny Smith apples, which are great for baking. Fuji apples, Gala apples, or Pink Lady apples, would all work well too.

• How can I make this easy apple crisp dairy-free?

  Making this recipe dairy-free is simple. Instead of using butter in the topping, use coconut oil or a plant-based vegan butter. You could also use something like olive oil, but that will change the flavor and consistency of the topping.

• How can I make this easy apple crisp vegan?

  Leave out the butter and use coconut oil or plant-based butter instead. Make sure you also use a vegan protein powder.

• How should I store any leftover apple crisp?

  If you have leftovers, let the apple crisp cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, gently reheat the apple crisp in the oven or microwave. Pro tip: the oven will result in a crispier topping!

This healthy apple crisp is the ultimate fall dessert. With sweet apples, a brown sugar oat topping, it's my favorite way to make the most of apple picking season.

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The Best Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe with Oat Topping

Yield: 6

Author: Ashley aka The Protein Snack Queen

This healthy apple crisp is packed with protein. Perfect for fall entertaining, it’s quick and easy!

Ingredients

Apple Filling:

• 3 medium-sized fresh apples, sliced and chopped (Cosmic Crisp or Honey Crisp recommended)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar, maple syrup, or dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumble Topping:

• 3/4 cup gluten-free oats
• 2 scoops of cinnamon or vanilla protein powder (choose a brand/flavor you love)
• Optional: Use 1 scoop of protein powder and 2 extra tablespoons of brown sugar or a sugar substitute (like monk fruit)
• 1/8 cup crushed mixed nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts would all taste great!)
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• Dash of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a baking dish.
2. Cut up the apples: Dice the apples and add them to the prepared baking dish.
3. Make the rest of the filling: Add your preferred sweetener, cornstarch (or thickening alternative), and vanilla extract. Stir to combine and coat the apples.
4. Prep the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, nuts, brown sugar, salt, and spices (if using). Mix well.
5. Soften the butter: Add the butter cubes to the bowl with the oat mixture. Microwave the mixture for 30-45 seconds, until the butter softens. Stir the topping mixture together until it’s the texture of wet sand and forms small clumps.
6. Sprinkle the topping over the apples: Spoon the crisp mixture on top of the apples. Make sure the apples are fully covered in an even layer.
7. Bake the apple crisp: Put the apple crisp into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is crunchy and golden brown.
8. Garnish and serve the apple crisp: Remove the apple crisp from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before plating. Serve with a bit of whipped coconut cream, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

187

Fat

7 g

Carbs

23 g

Protein

8 g