Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe with Cranberries / Gail Ingram Photography

It’s not difficult to feel swamped by food and food preparation if you are entertaining and even if you enjoy cooking as I do you still need a few go-to dishes such as a basic easy apple crisp recipe.  And seriously, who doesn’t love apple crisp?

My Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe Really is EASY…and Quick! And Perfect for Entertaining

This treat takes less than 10 minutes of actual hands-on cooking time to make. Watch the video below to see just how easy it really is….

A Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe to Help You Eat Clean While Entertaining

Healthy dessert recipes that actually taste good can be challenging to make but fruit-based desserts are often the easiest of all to make both healthy and tasty. I’m always experimenting with a baked apple dish of some sort and recently I got the idea to do a vegan (no-butter) healthy apple crisp recipe with the addition of cranberries, ginger and raisins. The cranberries liven things up and add a burst of brightness (in both flavor and color), the raisins contribute sweetness without added empty calories and the spiciness from the ginger actually brings out the natural sweetness of the raisins and apples, and again, without having to add empty calorie sugar. In fact, my entire recipe only has a total of 5 tablespoons of added sugar (this is in sharp contrast to the 1 cup of sugar called for in your average apple crisp recipe!)

In addition to being low in sugar, this apple crisp recipe is also spiked with omega-3, fiber-rich and lignan-rich flaxseeds and whole grain rolled oats. Instead of refined “all-purpose” flour it’s made with white whole wheat flour, which has the same nutritional properties and fiber content of regular whole wheat flour, but just tastes and bakes more like the “all-purpose” flour you might be more accustomed to (click HERE to read more about white whole wheat flour.) And, instead of artery-clogging butter or terrible trans-fat laden margarine or shortening I substituted a “clean” fat in the form of extra virgin coconut oil (click HERE to read more about extra virgin coconut oil.) Oh! and I always leave the skins on my apples because that’s where most of the fiber is.Anyway, all in all, my healthy apple crisp recipe is actually nutritious enough and low enough in sugar that you could even eat it for breakfast.

How to Make the Easy Apple Crisp Recipe Extra Special for Guests

If you happen to be making this treat for guests and want to make it super special and doubly yummy try pouring a little amaretto on top of the apple crisp just before serving. You can also serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream (just a small dollop is really all you need, so try to resist the urge to pile on too much!)

A Quick Word on Why I Choose Organic Cranberries & Apples….

Conventionally grown cranberries and apples hava a lot of pesticides. I admit I don’t buy all my produce organic (it’s just too expensive and not always practical) but, to reduce your exposure to toxins it’s worth the extra cost to seek out fresh organic cranberries and organic apples. P.S. When selecting organic cranberries look or bright cranberries that are hard. Soft berries indicate decay.

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe with Organic Cranberries

Serves: 6-8

For the Filling:

• 3 organic Granny Smith apples, cored and finely chopped (keep the skins on)
• 2 cups fresh organic cranberries
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl; use your hands to toss well. Set aside.

For the Topping:

• 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour (such as King Arthur)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil, plus more for greasing the baking dish (such as Barlean’s)
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds (such as Barlean’s)
• 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not instant!)
• 2 tablespoons raw honey

Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl; use your hands and mix well. Set aside.

To Make the Apple Crisp:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a 9-inch round pie dish with extra virgin coconut oil.
3. Spread the apple-cranberry filling in the prepared baking dish. Scatter the topping over the filling. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until apples and cranberries are soft. When done, remove apple crisp from the oven and set aside to cool. Serve warm. Optional: Pour a little bit of amaretto or other liquor on top of the apple cranberry crisp before serving. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.