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
How to store apple crisp?
Let your apple crisp cool completely. Store it in the baking dish covered tightly, or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for the best crispness.
Can I make apple crisp topping ahead of time?
Yes, you can!
Just mix the dry ingredients and butter, then store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze it for longer storage. When you’re ready to bake, simply sprinkle it over your fruit filling and bake as directed.
Can I make this apple crisp with other fruits?
Yes, you can use a variety of fruits for this gluten-free crisp recipe! Peaches, plums, berries, pears – they all work beautifully with the crispy, buttery topping. Feel free to experiment with your favorites and enjoy the delicious versatility of this crisp.
More sugar-free desserts:
Thank you for giving this recipe a 5-star review!
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