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Home » Recipes » Dessert » Sweet Things » Grain-Free Apple Crisp

Sep 28, 2016(updated September 15, 2025)

Grain-Free Apple Crisp

4.67 from 15 votes
By Dani Spies
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Apple Season is in full swing and I wanted to share one of our family’s new favorite apple recipes!

This Grain-free Apple Crisp (which also happens to be free of refined sugars as well) is the perfect Autumn dessert and also makes a pretty tasty breakfast as well.

In an attempt to let the natural flavors of the apple shine, I cut way back on any added sweeteners (in this case honey) and chose big fat, sweet, tart Honey Crisp apples.

apple crisp

As for the topping, a combination of nuts, shredded coconut, honey, and pastured butter is all it takes to create a grain-free version of the original.

As for the flavor?  I would call this one insanely delicious!  But I double dare you to find out for yourself.

HELPFUL KITCHEN TOOLS
4-Cup Food Processor
8×8 Ceramic Baking Dish
Orange/Lemon Juicer
Glass Mixing Bowls

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4.67 from 15 votes

Grain-Free Apple Crisp

Course: DESSERT, DIET, sweet things
Cuisine: American, gluten free
Author: Dani Spies
Prep Time25 minutes mins
Cook Time35 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr
Calories:

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Ingredients

  • 5 large apples; cored and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces and then cut in half again see video for demo
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • 1/2 cup pecans halves
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 3 tbsp. melted butter preferably grass-fed or pastured
  • 1/4 cup honey

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 (be sure the rack is in the middle of the oven) and coat a 88 baking dish with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
  • Place almonds, pecans, coconut, salt, butter, and honey on a food processor that holds a minimum of 4 cups.
  • Pulse the mixture until it starts to come together into a loose ball (see video). Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, cinnamon and lemon and gently toss until all of the apples are lightly coated in the lemon and cinnamon.
  • Transfer apples into the greased baking dish and gently spread them out so they are even in the dish.
  • Drop the nut and coconut topping over the top of the apples, using your fingers to distribute it evenly.
  • Pop in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the top is toasty brown and the apples are tender. Cool and enjoy!

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Gluten Free, Recipes, Sweet Things, Video

About Dani Spies

Dani Spies is the founder and host of Clean & Delicious; a weekly cooking show on YouTube and a healthy eating blog that celebrates real, whole foods! She takes a holistic approach to health and wellness and is loved for her approachable, down to earth style both in and out of the kitchen.

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Reader Interactions

Yum! I love this recipe.

    4.67 from 15 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    If you loved this recipe please leave a comment and star rating below. Questions are also welcome. Cheers!

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

  1. Patricia says

    September 28, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Dani:  Thank you for the apple crisp recipe.  I like the oats in crisps a lot but I am willing to give this a try.  Why did you list butter as three teaspoons instead of one tablespoon?  I might slip and put in THREE TABLESPOONS by mistake or just because I love what butter does to a crisp.

    I have two apples left.  I might try my hand at paring down the amounts and see what happens. 

    Thanks again for this recipe.

    Patricia

    Reply
    • Dani says

      October 1, 2016 at 8:47 am

      That was a typo!! It is actually 3tbsp. of butter!!  #sorry

      Reply
  2. Patricia says

    September 28, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Dani – I’m back!  Just as you said, the kitchen smells heavenly.  I used two large apples and I halved the ingredients for the crisp.  I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.  It was beautiful to look at, smelled great, and it was perfect sweetness for me too.  I used about two teaspoons of butter for the crisp so it was just a little richness that melted with the honey and the apple juices.  A great fall treat.  Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Dani says

      October 1, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Hi Patricia!  Good to know you can cur back on the butter even more.  As I mentioned in my last comment, I used 3 tbsp. of butter in my recipe.  Either way, I’m so glad you enjoyed this one.

      Reply
    • Patricia says

      October 3, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      Oh well.  That’s funny.  I thought that was a little too tiny of an amount of butter but it turned out just great!

      What’s next?  I’m going to live with no wheat and no dairy for a while and see how I feel.  Good news is I will still be able to have apple crisp!

      Reply
    • Dani says

      October 7, 2016 at 12:11 am

      Thank you, Patricia! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  3. marge201 says

    September 29, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe. What can I substitute for shredded coconut? Oatmeal? i don’t love coconut. I use coconut oil all the time but never liked coconut. I’m bringing chocolate zucchini snack cake for Rosh Hoshana by popular demand but I’m going to try this.

    Reply
    • Dani says

      October 1, 2016 at 8:45 am

      I bet oats would work just fine! You might want to a dd an extra tablespoon or two of honey, because the coconut does add a little sweetness as well.

      OR – maybe try half oats half, dried fruit – like prunes. Just an idea!

      I’d love to hear how it turns out!

      Reply
  4. Sharlene says

    January 8, 2018 at 5:32 pm

    5 stars
    This is the most delicious dessert ever, and I feel good after I have eaten it. Thank you for including the info about the correct type of butter – awesome!

    Reply
    • Dani says

      January 10, 2018 at 11:25 am

      Yay!! So glad you are enjoying it. It’s a favorite in our house too.

      Reply
  5. Arbo says

    October 19, 2019 at 10:18 pm

    Made this tonight and loved it! Enjoyed the nutty flavor with the apples. Would it work to add 1/2 cup of oatmeal also?

    Reply
    • Dani says

      October 21, 2019 at 8:49 pm

      So glad you liked it Arbo. I bet adding oats would be delicious.

      Reply
  6. Bobbi says

    December 8, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight but I added oats and cut back on the nuts. It came out awesome, I love the use of nuts in baking, I have to sneak them in just like veggies ! Love your recipes and videos!

    Reply
    • Dani says

      December 11, 2019 at 5:14 am

      So glad you enjoyed it Bobbi and I love how you made it your own 🙂

      Reply
  7. Ruth stagnitta says

    September 28, 2021 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    Came out great once I saved it from air fryer 350 temp lowered it and lowered time came out fresh I used granny smith so I added some honey nut are so healthy for us you always have the healthiest most delicious desserts thank you for being so healthy God abundantly bless you where you need it most Dani and bring you close to him.

    Reply
  8. Karen says

    December 9, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    Do you think this would work with pears?

    Reply
    • Dani says

      December 12, 2021 at 6:39 am

      I do! I bet pears would be delicious.

      Reply
  9. Kathy says

    October 11, 2023 at 9:45 am

    The recipe looks yummy and is a much healthier dessert except for the ice cream which is full of sugar! Maybe give a recipe for a home made, sugar free ice cream made of coconut milk. Thank you for giving us yummy recipes!

    Reply
  10. Connie M Norr says

    October 13, 2023 at 4:04 am

    Sounds great except for the coconut. Is it important to the outcome?

    Reply
    • Dani Spies says

      December 18, 2023 at 7:13 pm

      Nope! If you don’t like coconut you can skip it and add a extra sprinkle of nuts.

      Reply
  11. Nikki Helmer says

    November 30, 2024 at 11:15 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Dani! I made the apple crisp + 4 more of your dishes on Thanksgiving! All were wonderful and a big hit. Do you think this apple crisp might freeze well if I wanted to assemble and not bake so I could use at a later date?

    Also made one your salads with pomegranate/pear/homemade dressing, brussels sprouts, and baked sweet potatoes then cut into medallions and lightly brushed with cinnamon/butter and topped with toasted pecans. Everything was fantastic and healthy of course!

    Thanks,
    Nikki

    Reply
  12. Nikki Helmer says

    November 23, 2025 at 11:40 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Dani, I’m making this for Thanksgiving again this year. Do you think leftovers might freeze well for a nice treat later? Thanks in advance and Happy Thanksgiving to you!

    Reply

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