My family has been making this apple crisp recipe for over 10 years. The natural sweetness of the apples – with a touch of maple syrup and paired with a simple oat and nut topping – makes a perfectly satisfying dessert that is not too sweet and does not feel too heavy. It is not the raw, vegan, sugar-free kind of recipe that I usually like to share, but it’s one my whole family loves and if you choose high-quality, organic ingredients, this crisp is worth a little indulgence.
The recipe was inspired by Cynthia Lair’s “Pear Plum Crisp” in her fabulous cookbook, “Feeding the Whole Family.”
- 5 cups rolled oats
- ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 8 Tablespoons of maple syrup, divided
- ½ cup chopped organic walnuts
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 2 tsp of ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 7 organic green apples, sliced (with or without skin)
- 1 lemon (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Mix oats and flour together. Add melted butter and 6 Tablespoons of the maple syrup. Mix well. Stir in nuts.
In another small bowl, combine water, remaining 2 Tablespoons of maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Mix and set aside.
Put sliced apples in a lightly oiled pan (we use coconut oil) or an 8 x 8 -inch baking dish. If you like, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the apples – this adds flavor and also helps break down the apples during baking. Pour the liquid mixture over the apples and toss gently. Next, spoon the oat-nut mixture evenly on top of the apples. Cover and bake for 40-45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes to crisp the toppings.
Enjoy!
Dr. Maggie Ney is a co-director of the Women’s Clinic and specializes in hormone balancing and healthy aging. You can Make an appointment by calling us at 310-451-8880 or emailing us at info@akashacenter.com
