Healthy Maple Apple Crisp | Gluten-Free & No Refined Sugar

This healthy maple apple crisp is filled with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a buttery, crunchy oat crumble. It’s naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, made without refined sugar, and is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. It’s an easy fall dessert that tastes incredible served warm right out of the oven!

I’m currently visiting family in Iowa, and this morning’s 65-degree weather was perfect for a long walk. With fall in the air, I couldn’t resist making one of my favorite apple desserts. There’s something about warm cinnamon apples baking in the oven that instantly makes it feel like fall!

This recipe was such a hit! My mother-in-law and parents were over when I made it, and we all devoured it. My husband, who loves anything with apples, even chose it for his birthday dessert! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and made without refined sugar, but it still tastes like the cozy apple crisp we all love. This recipe was inspired by my honey peach crumble, and they’re both delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Maple Apple Crisp

• Naturally sweetened: Pure maple syrup sweetens both the apples and oat topping without refined sugar.
• Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour and certified gluten-free oats if needed.
• Dairy-free and vegan: Coconut oil creates a delicious crisp topping without butter.
• Easy to make: No mixer or special equipment needed.
• Warm and cozy: Cinnamon, maple syrup, and baked apples make this the perfect fall dessert.
• Family favorite: It’s simple enough for an everyday dessert but delicious enough for Thanksgiving or a fall gathering.

What Makes This Maple Apple Crisp So Good?

The combination of maple syrup, cinnamon, and warm baked apples is what makes this crisp so delicious. As the apples bake, they soften and soak up the cinnamon-maple mixture, creating a sweet and gooey filling underneath the crunchy oat topping.

And that topping might be my favorite part! It’s made with oats, flour, cinnamon, maple syrup, coconut oil, and a pinch of sea salt. It gets golden and crisp in the oven while the apple filling stays soft and tender underneath.

An Easy Apple Crisp with Maple Syrup

Pop it in the oven and about 40 minutes later, you’ll have warm cinnamon-maple apples bubbling underneath a golden oat topping. It’s one of those simple fall desserts that looks and tastes like you spent much more time on it than you actually did!

One of my favorite things about this apple crisp with maple syrup is how easy it is to make. There’s no mixer or fancy equipment required! Simply chop the apples and toss them with the filling ingredients, mix the oat crumble in a separate bowl, and layer everything in your baking dish.

Watch how easy this recipe is to make with the video below!

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Simple Ingredients for a Healthier Apple Crisp

One reason I love this healthy apple crisp is the simple ingredient list. Instead of brown sugar and butter, this recipe uses pure maple syrup and coconut oil while still creating that classic sweet apple filling and crunchy oat topping.

Apples: I use Honeycrisp apples because they’re naturally sweet, slightly tart, and hold up beautifully when baked.

Oats: Whole oats give the topping its hearty texture and that classic apple crisp crunch. If you need the recipe to be gluten-free, make sure you’re using certified gluten-free oats.

Pure Maple Syrup: Maple syrup sweetens both the apple filling and crumble topping. It also adds a warm flavor that pairs perfectly with cinnamon and apples.

Coconut Oil: Melted coconut oil replaces butter in the crumble and helps create a crisp, golden topping while keeping the recipe dairy-free and vegan.

Cinnamon: There’s plenty of cinnamon in both the apples and topping for that classic warm fall flavor.

Sea Salt: Just a little sea salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors in the oat topping.

Apple Crisp Ingredient Substitutions

Flour: I use gluten-free all-purpose flour, but regular all-purpose flour works if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free.

Maple Syrup: Honey can be used in place of maple syrup, but keep in mind that the flavor will be different and the recipe will no longer be vegan.

Apples: Honeycrisp apples are my favorite for this recipe, but Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, or a combination of apples will also work.

Coconut Oil: You can substitute melted butter or vegan butter for the coconut oil. Regular butter will make the recipe dairy-based, while vegan butter keeps it dairy-free and vegan.

Cinnamon: Apple pie spice works well in place of cinnamon, or you can add a pinch of nutmeg for even more warm fall flavor.

Oats: I use whole oats for the crisp topping. If you’re making this recipe gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.

Ingredients for Maple Apple Crisp

You only need seven simple ingredients to make this maple apple crisp! You’ll use several of the same ingredients in both the cinnamon apple filling and the crunchy oat topping.

For the Cinnamon Maple Apple Filling

• Honeycrisp apples — Sweet, crisp, and perfect for baking.
• Ground cinnamon — Adds that warm fall flavor.
• Gluten-free all-purpose flour — Helps thicken the juices as the apples bake.
• Pure maple syrup — Sweetens the apples without refined sugar.

For the Oat Crisp Topping

• Whole oats — Create the hearty, crunchy topping.
• Gluten-free all-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Sea salt
• Coconut oil — Melt it before mixing into the topping.
• Pure maple syrup

Then add one little note:

Gluten-free tip: If you need this recipe to be completely gluten-free, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats and gluten-free all-purpose flour.

How to Make Maple Apple Crisp

Prepare the apples: Peel and chop the Honeycrisp apples into evenly sized pieces. Add them to a bowl and toss with the flour, cinnamon, and pure maple syrup until evenly coated.

Make the oat topping: In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, cinnamon, and sea salt. Pour in the melted coconut oil and maple syrup, then stir until everything is well combined and crumbly.

Assemble the apple crisp: Spread the cinnamon-maple apple mixture evenly in a 9×5-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the oat crisp mixture evenly over the apples.

Bake: Bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes, until the apples are tender and the oat topping is golden.

Cool: Let the apple crisp cool for 20–30 minutes before serving. This gives the filling a little time to thicken as it cools.

How Do You Know When Apple Crisp Is Done?

Your apple crisp is ready when the topping is golden and crisp and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. You should also be able to easily pierce an apple with a fork. If the apples still feel firm, give the crisp another 5–10 minutes in the oven and check again.

What to Serve with Maple Apple Crisp

This maple apple crisp is delicious on its own, especially when it’s still slightly warm from the oven. But if you want to dress it up, here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Vanilla ice cream: My favorite for dessert! The cold, creamy ice cream with the warm cinnamon-maple apples is so good.
• Whipped cream: Add a dollop right before serving for an easy fall dessert.
• Greek or vanilla yogurt: Perfect if you’re enjoying leftover apple crisp with breakfast.
• Chopped pecans or walnuts: Sprinkle them over the top for a little extra crunch.
• Hot coffee: Because warm apple crisp and coffee on a chilly fall morning is pretty hard to beat.

A Family-Favorite Apple Crisp

This apple crisp has always been a family favorite! My son loved eating it and had so much fun helping me make it. Apple crisp is a great recipe for little helpers because they can stir the apples, mix the crumble topping, and sprinkle it over the baking dish before it goes into the oven.

It’s one of those simple fall recipes that’s just as fun to make together as it is to eat!

Maple Apple Crisp FAQs

Can I make apple crisp ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the apple filling and oat topping ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve for the crispiest topping.

What are the best apples for apple crisp?
I love Honeycrisp apples because they’re sweet, slightly tart, and hold their texture when baked. Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, or a combination of apples also work well.

Can I make apple crisp without brown sugar?
Yes! This apple crisp is made without brown sugar or refined sugar. Pure maple syrup sweetens both the cinnamon apple filling and oat topping.

Can you make apple crisp with maple syrup?
Absolutely! Pure maple syrup works beautifully in apple crisp and adds a warm sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon. This recipe uses maple syrup in both the filling and crisp topping.

Is this apple crisp gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and certified gluten-free oats to keep the entire recipe gluten-free.

Is this apple crisp vegan?
Yes! This recipe uses coconut oil instead of butter, so it’s naturally dairy-free and vegan.

Can I use butter instead of coconut oil?
Yes. Melted butter can replace the coconut oil if you don’t need the recipe to be dairy-free or vegan. Vegan butter is another option.

How do I store leftover apple crisp?
Cover the apple crisp and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. You can enjoy leftovers cold or reheat individual portions before serving.

More Healthy Fall Desserts You’ll Love

• Pumpkin Spice Cake Bars with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
• Healthier Peach Crumble | Gluten-Free & No Refined Sugar
• Healthy Butternut Squash Fudge Brownies: Gluten-Free, Vegan
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Cottage Cheese Protein Pudding Parfaits
• Healthy Pecan Pie Bars

One of my favorite things about apple crisp is how unfussy it is compared to pie. You still get all of those cozy baked apple and cinnamon flavors, but there’s no pie dough to roll out or crust to perfect. It’s the kind of dessert I can throw together on a fall afternoon, pop in the oven before dinner, and have warm and ready by the time we’re sitting down for dessert. And the smell of cinnamon, maple syrup, and apples baking might be the best part!

I hope this healthy maple apple crisp becomes one of your favorite fall desserts! It’s one of those recipes I look forward to making as soon as apple season arrives, especially when the house starts smelling like warm cinnamon and baked apples.

Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for dessert or save the leftovers to enjoy with coffee the next morning. If you make this recipe, leave a star rating and comment below and let me know how it turned out! I always love hearing when one of my recipes makes it onto your family’s table.