Healthy Vegan Apple Crisp

Name: Healthy vegan Apple Crisp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4-6 Apples; 2 Tbsp Lemon juice; 2 Tbsp Date syrup (more to taste); 1 tsp Ground cinnamon; ½ tsp Ground nutmeg; ½ tsp Ground ginger; ½ tsp Ground cloves; 1/4 tsp Ground cardamom; 2 Tbsp Cornstarch; 2 Tbsp Ground flaxseeds; 5 Tbsp filter water; 1 Cup oats (jumbo/rolled); 1/4 Cup walnuts or pecans chopped; 1/4 Cup almonds or hazelnuts; 2 Tbsp Date syrup; 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

A Warm, Guilt-Free Dessert to Nourish the Soul

This Healthy Vegan Apple Crisp is a cosy, lighter take on the classic dessert — packed with warming spices, naturally sweetened with date syrup, and topped with a crunchy oat-and-nut crumble. It’s easy, comforting, and perfect for autumn baking, without any refined sugar, dairy, or fuss. Perfect warm with a spoonful of coconut yoghurt or your favourite vegan ice cream.

Prep

10 mins

Cook

25 mins

Total

35 mins

Serves

4-6 people

Ingredients

4-6 Apples
2 Tbsp Lemon juice
2 Tbsp Date syrup (more to taste)
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
½ tsp Ground nutmeg
½ tsp Ground ginger
½ tsp Ground cloves
1/4 tsp Ground cardamom
2 Tbsp Cornstarch

Crisp/Topping:

2 Tbsp Ground flaxseeds
5 Tbsp filter water
1 Cup oats (jumbo/rolled)
1/4 Cup walnuts or pecans chopped
1/4 Cup almonds or hazelnuts
2 Tbsp Date syrup
1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Instructions step by step:

Step 1 – Make the Flax Egg

In a small bowl, mix 2 Tbsp ground flaxseeds with 5 Tbsp filtered water. Stir well and let it thicken for about 10 minutes, giving it a stir now and then.

Step 2 – Prep the Apples

Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan). Wash the apples, remove the cores, and slice them into thin wedges.

Step 3 – Add Lemon

Place the apple wedges into an ovenproof dish and squeeze over the lemon juice.

Step 4 – Add Spices & Sweetener

Sprinkle over the spices and cornstarch, then drizzle in the date syrup. Use your hands to mix everything until the apples are evenly coated. Add a splash of lemon juice or water if needed.

Step 5 – Make the Crisp Topping

In a bowl, combine the oats, nuts, cinnamon, and date syrup. Add the flax mixture and stir (or use your hands) until everything is well combined.

Step 6 – Assemble & Bake

Spread the crisp topping evenly over the apples. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are soft and bubbling.

About this Recipe

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm apple crisp fresh out of the oven — that sweet, spiced aroma filling the kitchen, the soft fruit bubbling away under a golden, nutty topping… pure autumn bliss. This healthier vegan version keeps all the nostalgia while giving the classic a wholesome twist. Think naturally sweet apples tossed with warming spices and a touch of date syrup, then crowned with a crunchy oat-and-nut crumble held together with flax and a drizzle of olive oil or vegan butter. It’s simple, nourishing, and just the kind of treat that makes you want to grab a cosy blanket and a big spoon. Enjoy it warm, ideally with a scoop of your favourite dairy-free ice cream or a dollop of coconut yoghurt.

💡Tips for the Perfect Apple Crispy

Use a mix of apples – Combining sweet and tart varieties gives the filling more depth. For example: Braeburn + Granny Smith or Pink Lady + Bramley.
Slice the apples evenly – Thin, even slices cook at the same rate, giving you that soft, tender texture without some pieces turning mushy.
Coat the apples thoroughly – Make sure the spices, syrup, and cornstarch are well distributed. This helps the filling thicken into that lovely glossy, caramel-like sauce.
Add nuts for texture – Walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds give the topping a gorgeous crunch and a toasty aroma. Lightly crushing them works best.
Bake until golden and bubbling – If the top looks pale, leave it longer. The crisp should be golden and the apples soft enough to pierce with a fork.
Let it rest before serving – Give it 5–10 minutes out of the oven. The juices settle and the topping firms up, making it easier to serve. Serve with cool, creamy topping (vegan yoghurt or ice cream) makes it feel extra indulgent and highlights the warm spices.

About these Ingredients:

Apples – Use a mix of sweet and tart varieties. No need to peel, most fiber and vitamins are in the skin. You can also substitute by pears and add some berries.

Lemon – It brightens the flavour and stops the apples from browning. A little extra acidity also balances the sweetness beautifully and adds extra vitamin C.

Spices – This warming spice blend turns simple apples into a cosy, aromatic treat. Cinnamon adds classic sweetness, nutmeg deepens the richness, ginger brings gentle heat, cloves add a fragrant autumnal kick, and cardamom lifts everything with a subtle floral note. Together, they create the perfect spiced filling.

Date Syrup – Date syrup adds rich, caramel-like sweetness and enhances the apple and spice flavours. It also helps bind the topping, giving the crisp a slightly sticky, indulgent texture — all while keeping it wholesome and plant-based.

Cornstarch – Helps thicken the juices released by the apples as they bake, turning them into a silky, lightly saucy filling instead of a watery one. It keeps the crisp from becoming soggy and gives the apples that lovely glossy finish.

If you don’t have cornstarch, you can swap it for arrowroot powder or tapioca starch — both work well and give a similar thickening effect.

Oats – Oats give the topping its signature crunch and a naturally nutty flavour. Jumbo or rolled oats hold their shape as they bake, creating a satisfying texture that flour simply can’t match. They’re also a more wholesome option — higher in fibre, more nutritious, and perfect for a lighter, healthier apple crisp.

Nuts – Chopped nuts add a satisfying crunch and a toasty, nutty flavour to the crisp topping. They complement the oats and spices perfectly, creating a more textured, wholesome dessert while boosting protein, healthy fats, and nutrients.

Healthy vegan Apple Crisp

Marisa Marques

A Warm, Guilt-Free Dessert to Nourish the Soul

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, English

Servings 6 people

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

1 Iron cast pan or oven ready dish

Ingredients

4-6 Apples
2 Tbsp Lemon juice
2 Tbsp Date syrup more to taste
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
½ tsp Ground nutmeg
½ tsp Ground ginger
½ tsp Ground cloves
1/4 tsp Ground cardamom
2 Tbsp Cornstarch