Apple Crisp (low-carb, sugar-free)
Imagine crisp autumn air, colorful leaves falling, and the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples filling your kitchen.
This sugar-free Apple Crisp captures that cozy autumn vibe perfectly. It features tender, cinnamon-spiced apples under a golden, buttery crisp made with almond flour, chopped nuts, and coconut flakes.
This sugar-free apple crumble is perfect for a cozy night in or a festive gathering. It’s gluten-free and incredibly delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
The recipe requires:
7 Ingredients + spices
Active cooking time: 10 minutes
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Table of Contents
Why you will love this!
Autumn in Every Bite: The combination of tender apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a buttery crisp topping is pure autumnal bliss.
Delicious: Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or enjoy it on its own.
Guilt-Free: This crumble is sugar-free and gluten-free, so you can indulge without the guilt.
Effortless: This sugar-free crisp is incredibly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a delicious dessert ready to enjoy.
Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
To make this gluten-free apple crisp you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Filling:
Apples: Opt for varieties that hold their shape well when baked: Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are excellent choices, offering a balance of sweetness and tartness. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different apple varieties to create a more complex flavor. Look for firm apples with no bruises or soft spots.
A little experiment that didn’t go so well: I once tried to make this crumble with zucchini instead of apples, thinking it would be a clever low-carb swap. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the same! Even with some apples and spices added, the zucchini made the crumble a bit watery and it lacked that distinct apple flavor. Stick with apples for this one or use berries instead for the keto version.
For the Crisp Topping:
Almond Flour: This gluten-free flour gives the crumble a lovely texture and subtle nutty flavor.
Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a wonderful crunch and richness.
Coconut Flakes: A touch of coconut adds a subtle sweetness and an additional layer of flavorto the crumble.
Low-Carb Sweetener: The best sweetener depends on your needs, here are some options:
- Allulose: Mimics sugar is perfect, and has no aftertaste. About 70% as sweet as sugar.
- Erythritol: Zero-calorie, can crystallize, best combined with allulose. About 70% as sweet as sugar.
- Monk Fruit: Natural, zero-calorie, slightly fruity, and may have a mild aftertaste. Up to 250 times sweeter than sugar (depending on the extract).
- Xylitol: Clean sweetness, smooth texture, potential cooling effect, toxic to dogs. About as sweet as sugar.
- Stevia: Natural, zero-calorie, can have a strong aftertaste, best in blends. Up to 300 times sweeter than sugar (depending on the extract).
- Honey/Maple Syrup: Adds unique flavor, but contains sugar, impacts blood sugar. Suitable for a paleo diet, but not for a ketogenic diet.
Butter: Melted butter brings everything together and creates that irresistible buttery flavor.
Spices: Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add a cozy touch. A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors.
*you’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Equipment
For this easy recipe, you’ll only need:
- Kitchen board and a knife
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet or baking dish
Instructions
Prepare the Apples: Start by chopping your favorite apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance their natural sweetness. Spread the apples evenly in your baking dish.
Make the Crisp Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine almond flour, chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), coconut flakes, a touch of sweetener, and spices. Stir in melted butter and a splash of vanilla extract until the mixture is perfectly crumbly.
Sprinkle the topping generously over the apples.
Bake to Perfection: Bake until the crisp topping transforms into a beautiful golden brown, with irresistible crispy edges. You’ll know it’s ready when the apples are tender and the juices are bubbling around the edges. This usually takes about 50-55 minutes, but keep a close eye on it towards the end.
Tip: If the crumble starts to brown too quickly, loosely place foil on a dish to prevent it from burning.
Once it’s ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate autumn indulgence.
FAQ
More sugar-free desserts:
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Apple Crisp
Cozy up with this sugar-free apple crisp! Warm, comforting, and perfect for fall. It's gluten-free, low in carbs (11 g net carbs), and utterly delicious!
Ingredients
Filling:
- 3 apples
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. lemon juice (optional)
- 1 tsp. lemon zest (optional)
Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup (100g / 3.5 oz.) almond flour
- 1/4 cup (40g / 1.4 oz.) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (60g / 2.1 oz.) nuts (almonds/pecans/walnuts), chopped
- 1/4 cup (20g / 0.7 oz.) unsweetened coconut flakes
- 3 tablespoons (50g / 1.8 oz.) granulated erythritol (or your preferred sweetener)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 C (350°F). Prepare a baking dish or a skillet.
- Chop 3 medium apples into cubes, removing stems and seeds. Then transfer them to a baking dish. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, lemon juice, and lemon zest (if using). Toss to coat the apples in the cinnamon and lemon juice.
- In a mixing bowl combine almond flour, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in melted butter and vanilla extract, mixing until crumbly.
- Spread the topping over your apple mixture.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, loosely place foil on the dish to prevent it from burning.
- Once it’s ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 19.5gSaturated Fat: 11.6gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 17gNet Carbohydrates: 11gFiber: 6gSugar: 9.6g