The ultimate fall dish, this Paleo Apple Crisp for two, is refined sugar and gluten-free. Serve warm with a scoop of coconut cream or paleo ice cream for a decadent fall dessert.
Apple crisp is the ultimate comfort food for me. Anytime it's a little cold outside, I crave it. For this recipe, I've recreated the traditional dessert to make it grain-free and without refined sugars. The top is crunchy and the apples are sweet and tender. The recipe makes two servings, but you'll probably want to save the entire thing for yourself. I do!
How to make Paleo Apple Crisp
Traditional apple crisp is made using oats, flour, and brown or granulated sugar. The oats give the topping a chewy texture. For this paleo apple crisp, I've replaced the oats with nuts, so you'll get a crunchier topping. The crunch is a nice contrast to the softened apples.
Ingredients for Apple Crisp for Two
Apple crisp have two components, the apple filling and crisp topping.
For the apple filling you'll need the following ingredients:
- Apple - peeled, cored, and thinly sliced {See notes below regarding the best apples to use}
- Ground Cinnamon - Freshly ground cinnamon is best, but powdered is fine too.
- Coconut Sugar
You may be possible to substitute honey for the coconut sugar in the filling, but I have not tested that method, so I'm not sure how it would turn out. If you do try it, leave a note in the comments section below.
For the crisp topping:
- Finely chopped Pecans
- Almond Flour
- Butter, Ghee, or Coconut Oil - Use Ghee for paleo and Coconut oil if vegan.
- Coconut Sugar
Walnuts could be substituted for the pecan. I do not recommend using honey in the topping as the sugars in the honey could burn before the apples fully cook. Lastly, if using butter, soften at room temp before adding to the mix.
Baking Directions
To make the apple crisp, start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.
In a bowl, combine all the apple filling ingredients and evenly coat each slice of apple.
Place the apple filling in a small ramekin or mini cast iron pan.
In the same bowl, combine all the crisp topping ingredients. Use a fork or your hands to help combine the butter with the nuts. The topping should stick together when pressed between your fingers.
Sprinkle the topping over the apples evenly, and place in the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the apples are tender and the top is browned.
Remove and serve warm with a scoop of coconut cream or dairy-free ice cream.
Questions?
Granny Smith, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Honeycrisp are great options. Honeycrisp are my favorite!
Place a piece of foil loosely over the crisp to prevent the top from browning further.
Yes. You can divide the filling and topping between two many ramekins for individual desserts.
Make-Ahead and Storage
To make ahead, prep the apple crisp as directed. Cover the baking dish and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Once ready to cook, remove the prepared apple crisp from the refrigerator and cook.
I'm not sure how to store leftovers. I never have any 😉 Just kidding. Leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm. The topping will lose it's crunch and could become soggy when reheated.
Other Recipes to Try
If you like this recipe, check out our Paleo Granola Bars! They're packed full of healthy nuts and cinnamon.
Like this recipe? Don't forget to Pin it! Also, check out our Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube Channel for cooking demos and more. Plus you can also see what I am pinning on Pinterest for more Whole30 and Paleo recipe ideas!
PrintPaleo Apple Crisp
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 1 Apple - Thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon Coconut Sugar
Crisp Topping
- 2 tablespoons Pecans - finely chopped
- ¼ cup Almond Flour
- 1 tablespoon Butter, Ghee, or Coconut Oil - softened
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a bowl, combine all the apple filling ingredients and stir to coat each slice of the apple evenly.
- Place the apple filling in a small ramekin or mini cast iron pan.
- In the same bowl, combine all the crisp topping ingredients. Use a fork or your hands to help combine the fat of choice with the nuts. The topping should stick together when pressed between your fingers.
- Sprinkle the topping over the apple filling evenly.
- Place in the oven and back for 40-45 minutes or until the apples are tender and the top is browned.
- Remove and serve warm with a scoop of coconut cream or dairy-free ice cream.
Equipment
Notes
Best Apples to Use for Apple Crisp - Granny Smith, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Honeycrisp are great options. Honeycrisp are my favorite!
If the topping started to brown before the apples are fully cooked, place a piece of foil loosely over the top.
To check if the apples are tender, insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the apples. If the toothpick inserts easily, they're ready.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: grain-free apple crisp, paleo apple crisp, how to make paleo apple crisp
Thank you for reading and supporting The Traveling Spice. This post includes affiliate links for products we actually use in our own kitchen. If you make a purchase using one of the links, The Traveling Spice will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us continue to bring you great original recipes. Send us an email if you have any questions. Thank you!
Perfect recipe for a cold day! Served it with coconut whipped cream.
★★★★★