Description
Tender apples baked under a crunchy, wholesome oat topping. This Healthy Oat Apple Crisp is a sweet, comforting treat perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
- Apple Filling:
- 6 medium Apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- Pinch Ground Nutmeg
- Oat Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
- 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, cold and diced
- Serving Suggestions:
- Greek yogurt (optional)
- Vanilla bean ice cream (optional)
- Chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Apples:: First things first, peel, core, and slice your apples into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. I find that uniform slices help them cook evenly, though honestly, I’ve had plenty of batches where my slices were all over the place, and it still tasted great! Just toss them into a large bowl as you go. This step always makes my kitchen smell like fall, even if it’s the middle of summer. I once forgot to core one apple, and let’s just say, finding that surprise in a bite was… memorable.
- Mix the Apple Filling:: To the sliced apples, add the maple syrup, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Give it all a good stir until the apples are nicely coated. This is where the magic starts to happen; those flavors really cling to the fruit. I didn’t expect the lemon juice to make such a difference when I first started making this, but it truly brightens everything up. Make sure every apple slice gets some love here; you want that flavor infused throughout.
- Crafting the Healthy Oat Apple Crisp Topping:: In a separate medium bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, whole wheat flour, light brown sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the rest of the nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together. Now, add your cold, diced butter. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Honestly, this is where I get my hands messy; it’s part of the fun! Don’t overmix; we want those delightful little buttery clumps for crunch.
- Assemble Your Healthy Oat Apple Crisp:: Pour the apple filling into an 8×8 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Then, generously sprinkle the oat crisp topping all over the apples. Try to get an even layer, but honestly, a few bare spots or extra-chunky bits just add to the rustic charm. I once piled too much topping in one spot and it took forever to crisp up, so try to spread the love!
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop your dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 35-45 minutes. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown topping and bubbling apple juices around the edges. This is the hardest part for me – waiting! The smell that fills your kitchen at this stage is absolutely heavenly, trust me. You’ll hear the gentle sizzle, and that’s your cue that deliciousness is happening.
- Serve Warm and Enjoy Your Healthy Oat Apple Crisp:: Once it’s beautifully baked, pull it out of the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. This lets the filling set a bit and prevents you from burning your tongue (ask me how I know!). Serve it warm, perhaps with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. That crunchy topping and tender, sweet apples? It’s pure bliss.