15 Minute Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Fall in love with this classic fall dessert that fits in perfectly with any meal prep plan. Prepare this easy apple crisp recipe in 15 minutes, it is simple and straight to the point! 

A Not So Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

A traditional apple crisp is a classic home-style favorite composed of chopped apple tossed with brown sugar, butter, and spices topped with a layer of a crispy crumble (usually containing butter, sugar, flour, and oats). 

Although this makes a delicious sweet treat, most of these recipes contain a high amount of sugar, which may not be the best if you are counting your macros or tailoring your meal plan towards specific health goals.

Skip the fuss and make a few simple swaps to prepare a healthy apple crips at home using 7 ingredients. In less than 15 minutes you'll have a delicious dessert or snack to add to your meal prep for the week. 

Customize your apple crisp recipe by experimenting with different spices and apple varieties. 

How to Choose Healthy Pre-Made Granola 

What's the secret to preparing a healthy apple crisp?

Simple: We've swapped the flour and sugar topping with granola and opted to pre-cook the apples with a small amount of maple syrup and spices. 

You can prepare your own granola mix at home, or purchase a pre-made granola from the grocery store. 

If you opt to purchase your granola, here are some simple questions to ask to ensure you are choosing one with little to no added sugar and a balanced amount of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. 

1. How many ingredients are there? A good rule of thumb to reading any labels is the less ingredients the better; these foods may be less processed and contain fewer calories and added ingredients. The order of the ingredients on the food label also matters; food labels list the ingredients in order of what is most abundant.  
2. What is the 'Serving Size' and 'Calories per Serving'? You want nutrient density, but typically not calorie density. Granola should be used as a topping, look for serving sizes of 1/4-1/2 cup below 200 calories per serving. 
3. Is there too much sugar? Most granolas will have some kind of sweetener, so look for ones containing honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup and try limit or avoid ones containing high fructose corn syrup or evaporated cane juice. Ideally you'll want a granola with as little added sugar as possible. 
4. What about the fat? Healthier variations of granola may have a variety nuts and seeds that contain heart healthy omega 3 fats, so the fat content may range from 3-10 grams per serving. Reading the label will help you determine where the fat is coming from, if there are nuts and seeds listed, you're steering in the right direction. 
5. What else is added in? Granola mixes may contain add-ons like dried fruit, coconut, chocolate, candy pieces, etc. The better granola options are the ones without chocolate, candy, or a lot of added in ingredients. Keep it simple, the more extra ingredients the higher the amount of added sugars and unwanted calories. 
6. Does it have any fillers? Lastly try to avoid granolas with added artificial colors and sweetness; if you can't pronounce it or don't recognize it then it may not be the best choice. 

How to Prepare a 15-Minute Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 4 granny smith apples, thinly sliced or diced 
• 1 tablespoons maple syrup
• 4 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon, ground 
• 1 tablespoons ginger, ground 
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil 
• 1 teaspoon arrowroot starch 
• pinch salt 

For The Topping:

• Granola (store-bought or Homemade) 

Kitchen Tools: 

• Knife and Cutting Board
• Small Saute Pan and Spatula 
• Baking Dish & Oven 
• Meal Prep Containers 

Step 1: Cut Apples and Preheat Your Oven 

Gather all of your ingredients and preheat your oven to 420 degrees. 

Slice the apples into this slice for faster cooking, or cut them into small dices; either way you choose be sure to cut them medium to small, large pieces of apple take longer to cook. 

Step 2: Saute Apples 

Heat your saute pan over medium-high heat and add the water, maple, spices, and apples. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the apples begin to soften and maple mixture begins to cook down. 

Add in arrowroot starch and stir until the apples are well-coated with the spiced maple mixture, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. 

This recipe utilized cinnamon and ginger for spices but feel free to explore other options like: 

• Pumpkin pie spice mix
• Apple pie spice mix
• Allspice
• Nutmeg 
• Coriander

Step 3: Place in Baking Dish And Bake 

Place the apple mixture into a baking dish and top with the granola, then bake for 8 minutes in the oven or until granola is slightly browned. 

Step 4: Remove and Portion 

Carefully remove the apple crisp from the oven and portion into 4 meal prep containers. Top with a bit of extra granola if desired or eat immediately with:

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Fat Free Whipped Cream

Too Busy? We Got You!

Made dessert but need the rest of your meal prep done, we have got you covered! Learn how to count your macros to reach your goals and use our Trifecta Meal Plans to conquer your meal prep without spending hours in the kitchen!  Take your wellness to the next level with Trifecta.