So quick and easy – this Gluten Free Apple Crisp is fast enough for a weekday dessert (or breakfast), but delicious enough for the Holidays. I make this as an Instant Pot Apple Crisp, but you can also make this in your oven. Made with fiber rich oats, almond flour, and honey or maple syrup, this Healthy Apple Crisp is perfect for anyone looking for a yummy and clean dessert!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all opinions are 100% mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Confessions of a Fit Foodie possible.
Omg. You guys.
This apple crisp. It’s dangerous.
Not because it’s unhealthy…no, it’s actually really good for you.
This Healthy Apple Crisp uses:
- gluten free oats and almond flour for the crisp topping
- coconut oil for healthy fat
- honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar
But it’s also so freaking easy and quick to make, I keep making it. It’s safe to say, all of my purples, yellows, and blues have gone to this delicious treat. I have been slow to venture into the world of Instant Pot
desserts, but this recipe has me believing!
Is this Healthy Apple Crisp also a Gluten-free Apple Crisp?
Yes! Because all the treats in my house must be gluten and dairy free, I turned to some of my favorite Bob’s Red Mills products to help me out. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to Apple Crisp, so I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats for the topping, but I also added my all time fav – the Super Fine Almond Flour – in place of traditional white flour. If you are a regular follower of my blog, you know I’m a huge fan of this product. It’s what I used in my 21 Day Fix Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes and my Clean Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake. Amazing texture and the perfect mild, nutty flavor for all sorts of yummy, gluten free baking.
What kind of Apples should I use for this Gluten Free Apple Crisp?
I used Honeycrisp apples for this recipe, but it would also be delicious with Granny Smith or even Pink Ladies, which are in season this time of the fall.
Do I have to peel the apples for this Healthy Apple Crisp?
Also, you can see in this pic that I left my peels on the apples…this, I’ll admit, was out of total laziness, but holy cow, I will never do it the old way again. The filling had such a pretty color and I swear the peel gave it extra flavor and sweetness. So, your choice, but I highly recommend this shortcut.
Speaking of shortcut, check out this recipe for apple crisp with apple pie filling.
This Gluten-free Apple Crisp is also Dairy free!
While butter is allowed in small amounts on the FIX, my little guy is dairy free, so I used coconut oil in the crumb topping. I am not lying when I say I like it better than the butter version. Pinky swear.
This also works as Vegan Apple Crisp if you use maple syrup instead of honey! Yay!
Tips for How to Make Healthy Apple Crisp in the Instant Pot
- I decided to use the Pot In Pot (or PIP) method for this Apple Crisp because I really didn’t want my apples to get waterlogged at the bottom of my pot. I saw other recipes that just threw them into the steel insert, but I suspect this will lead to applesauce! This worked perfectly!
- I wanted the option to brown my crisp topping afterwards, which is another reason Pot In Pot works so well. When I first made this, I used cute ramekins (like them? get some here
or look for them at Home Goods) to keep me from eating the whole thing, but you can also use an Instant Pot safe casserole dish…just make sure it’s oven safe, too!
or look for them at Home Goods) to keep me from eating the whole thing, but you can also use an Instant Pot safe 
How long do I cook Instant Pot Apple Crisp?
I set my Instant Pot for 7 minutes for Honeycrisp, Granny Smith or even Pink Ladies. If you are using a softer apple, like Gala or Macintosh, I would recommend less time or your Apple Crisp will turn into Apple Sauce. I had to stack my ramekins like this, but no biggie…and I also didn’t cover them. Again – lazy.
How do I make this Instant Pot Apple Crisp Crispy?
After the cooktime was up, I did a quick release and carefully transferred my little ramekins onto a baking sheet. Because I listen to my readers and apparently a crispy top was a must, I broiled them for just a few minutes and watched them like a hawk so they didn’t burn. It’s a fine line between beautifully golden and a burned dessert, let me tell you! Anyway, I also wanted to say that these are also SO good straight from the pot, too. Your call!
Updated** Now that I have my Mealthy CrispLid, I make this using my Instant Pot safe casserole dish and then I use my Mealthy CrispLid to broil the top when it’s done cooking!
And I didn’t want to do a heavy coconut whipped topping for this, but my kids go bananas when I top them with the coconut cream drizzle that I used in my Cinnamon Bun French Toast Cups. It’s super easy to make, but you can do without if you don’t have coconut milk on hand.
Can I make this Gluten Free Apple Crisp in the Oven?
If you don’t have an Instant Pot (WHY???), you could bake this on 350 for about 40 minutes or until the apples are bubbly and the topping is golden brown. And while it’s baking, go onto Amazon and commit to an Instant Pot for goodness sakes! <3
Can I freeze this Instant Pot Apple Crisp?
100%! If you want to make this Instant Pot Apple Crisp and freeze some to enjoy later, that works! Just place in an air tight container and eat within 3 months for best taste.
Is this Instant Pot Apple Crisp Weight Watchers Friendly?
Yes, but I would skip the coconut cream topping and use something more point friendly or just leave it off! Without the cream topping, this is 9 Free Style points per serving!
What are the 21 Day Fix Containers for this Healthy Apple Crisp? Is this considered a “treat swap?”
Each serving is 1 Purple, 1/2 Yellow, 1/3 Blue and 1 tsp. There are also 3 sweetener teaspoons and no, this apple crisp is not a treat swap! Enjoy as many time as you want per week!
Thank you Bob’s Red Mill for sponsoring this post. It means so much to me to work with brands that I love and use in my kitchen daily!
Looking for more Gluten-free Fruit Crisp Recipes? Check out these posts:
Healthy Instant Pot Peach Crisp [Gluten-free | Dairy Free]
Healthy Instant Pot Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (Stovetop Option)
Have even more apples? Make this yummy Instant Pot Applesauce from Carrie Elle!
**This post was originally created on Nov 12, 2017; it has since been updated with a video!
Healthy Instant Pot Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For the apples
- 4 cups diced Honeycrisp Apples
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
For the crisp topping
- 2/3 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
- 1/3 cup Bob's Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour
- 9 pecans chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 4 teaspoons coconut oil melted
For the coconut cream drizzle
- 3 tablespoons coconut cream or the creamy part of coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Mix honey, cinnamon, lemon zest and lemon juice with diced apples. Set aside.
- For the crisp topping, whisk honey with the melted coconut oil. Mix oats, pecans, almond flour, cinnamon and salt together, then stir in the honey and coconut oil.
- Place apples in ramekins or other oven safe dish of your choice. Top evenly with crisp topping.
- Add one cup of water to the steel insert of the Instant Pot, then place trivet insert in. Lay ramekins on top of trivet. It's ok to stack them like I did if you need to. **If you want to cook the apple crisp right in the steel inner pot, just add 1/2 cup of water to the pot, then add apples followed by the crisp topping.
- Set IP for 7 minutes. After cooktime, do a quick release.
- In the meantime, preheat oven to broil.
- When it's safe to remove ramekins from the Instant Pot, place them on a cookie sheet into a square and place under the broiler. Watch them carefully, and remove just as the crisp topping starts to brown. Or, you can use your Mealthy CrispLid on 400 for 5 minutes!
- Let the Apple Crisp sit and cool for around ten minutes before eating.
- For the coconut drizzle, just mix the coconut cream, honey and vanilla together. Drizzle evenly over Apple Crisp.
Oven
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Follow steps 1-3. You can add the crisp into an 8x8 pan or use the ramekins. Either way, cover with foil. Then place apple crisp in the oven for 40 minutes or until the apples are bubbly and the top is crispy! You can broil for a few minutes to get it even crispier.
- Let the Apple Crisp sit and cool for around ten minutes before eating.
- For the coconut drizzle, just mix the coconut cream, honey and vanilla together. Drizzle evenly over Apple Crisp.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Sick of internet says
There are so many ads on here I can’t even see the content, and there’s an enormous amount of junk at the top to scroll through before the recipe. The internet sucks now.
Nancylynn says
Thanks for your feedback
Katherine says
What size are the ramekins you used?
Nancylynn says
8 oz 😀
Shanana says
If I eliminate the pecans would that change the container counts
Tash says
This recipe is great. Just expect it to taste like chopped apples with crispy oats on top. DONT expect it taste like a traditional crisp or crumble and expect it taste a whole heap healthier.
But this worked out great for me and my children. Thank you 😊
Nancylynn says
Did you do the broil/CrispLid step at the end?
Heather Webber says
Are the 21 day fix counts different without the drizzle?
Nancylynn says
Not enough to really track a difference… but I just updated the counts in the recipe card for some clarification!
Debbie says
Yummy! and no guilt. I will make this for my grandkids. Thank you for your excellent recipe!
Nancylynn says
Hope they love it!! Thank you!
Shallan says
Super easy, satisfying and healthy. Thank you.
Kpal says
It’s very good. Is there nutritional information for this recipe?
Nancylynn says
Thank you!
I suggest using myfitnesspal for things like calorie counts
Elizabeth says
How many calories are in 1 serving?
Nancylynn says
I suggest using myfitnesspal for this type of information
Joyce says
Another hit in our house! I made this last night for dessert and we both love it!!! I could just eat the topping by itself!!! Yummmmy… and not a yellow treat swap on the 21 Day Fix!!! Winner!! Thanks yet again, Nancylynn!!🤤🍏
Samantha Rossi says
I have been obsessed with this recipe since I found it! Crisp is an all time dessert favorite in our house so when I found this yummy way to keep our waistlines in check I was sold! I’ve been experimenting with substituting different fruits for the apples including blueberry and strawberry which was my favorite! I don’t have ramekins so just make a batch and pop it in the oven, love how quick it comes together. The leftovers with a serving of plain Greek yogurt makes the most amazing breakfast too!
Nancylynn says
Such great ideas! I love it with Greek yogurt too!!
Heather says
Are these instant oats? My store doesn’t carry the same Bob’s varieties.
Nancylynn says
They are rolled or old fashioned oats.
Gillian says
Another amazing yummy recipe
Nancylynn says
Sorry for the delay, but this makes me SO happy!!! Thanks for taking the time to rate and review!
Beth says
This sounds amazing but due to food allergies, we need to avoid all tree nut products including coconut, as well as avocado. What would be a good replacement for coconut oil?
Nancylynn says
Can you have butter?
Beth says
Yes, we can have butter. I’ll try that. Thanks!
Leigh Myers says
What can be used in place of the almond flour?
Nancylynn says
1-1 Gluten Free Flour or Whole Wheat Flour
Leigh Myers says
thank you I think i will try the whole wheat pastry flour once I get some.
Leigh Myers says
What could be used in place of the coconut cream drizzle?
Nancylynn says
You could leave it off…
Katerina says
This recipe looks just perfect for fall and those of us who don’t like to use refined sugar! Thanks so much for sharing, Nancylynn!
Nancylynn says
Thank you so much, Katerina!!!
Dawn says
So I haven’t eaten it yet, but I made the apple crisp in my 7” spring form pan. I just wrapped the bottom with foil. It smells fabulous!!!!!!! I used a lot more apples just because I needed to use them up…and I put it under my broiler till it was browned! I wish I could send you a pic as it looks wonderful!
Nancylynn says
Awesome! I’m curious what you think after you taste it!!
Randy says
Great recipe. In general my Insta pot recipes work exactly as written. But I needed to put this on more time with granny Smith. Didn’t feel “done”. I’m putting it on for extra minutes and hopefully it will be fine. Thanks.
Nancylynn says
How did it workout?
mjacome says
Is this 7 mins Med or High pressure?
Lisa says
This just made my night! What an easy, quick and amazing treat! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.
Nancylynn says
So welcome!! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Lindy says
In the topping, could I use cow’s milk? I don’t have coconut cream on hand ?
Nancylynn says
I haven’t tried it…my worry is it will be too thin. Canned coconut milk is really thick. You can start with less milk and see how it works?
Vivian says
What setting do you put the instant pot on to cook this? Do you do the manual setting?
Nancylynn says
Yes!
Monique says
Hi, I’m interested in making this recipe in my instant pot, however I don’t have any ramekins. Do you have any suggestions on what to use?
Nancylynn says
You can use a pyrex bowl or a spring form pan!
Monique says
Thanks! Also, I am avoiding sugar. Do you think it would be ok without the honey? Maybe a little for the oat topping, thoughts?
Nancylynn says
I do!! Try it!!
Abigail says
I have an 8QT, can I double this? Do you think 8 ramekins will fit?
Nancylynn says
Yes!! I do!!
Sue Raney says
Thank you in advance!!!
Nancylynn says
Please let me know what you think!
TJ says
Hi, Do you measure the serving with the purple container? Thanks
Nancylynn says
No – just divide the recipe by four.