The first time I made this…

We had friends coming over for dinner and I wanted something cozy, something gooey, and definitely something with apples… but still light enough for a warm summer night.

So I grabbed my go-to apple crisp recipe, added a quick maple caramel drizzle on top, and baked it until golden and bubbly. It came out just right — warm apples, crunchy oat topping, and that sticky-sweet caramel that makes every bite feel indulgent… without all the processed sugar or dairy.

Now this Caramel Apple Crisp is a family favorite. It’s sweet and satisfying, but made with ingredients that feel good. Total comfort food with a clean-eating twist. 🍏✨

🍎 Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe (Clean & Cozy)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: ~55 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients

For the apple filling:

• 5 cups peeled, sliced apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or mix)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch

For the crisp topping:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• ½ cup almond flour

• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

• ¼ cup coconut oil or butter, melted

• ¼ cup maple syrup or honey

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of sea salt

For the maple caramel drizzle:

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• 1 tbsp almond butter or coconut cream

• Pinch of sea salt

• Splash of vanilla (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 🔥 Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish.

2. 🍏 Toss apples with lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, and starch. Spread into the dish.

3. 🥣 Mix topping: Combine oats, almond flour, nuts, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted oil and maple syrup until crumbly.

4. 🥄 Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.

5. ⏲️ Bake for 35–40 minutes, until apples are soft and topping is golden.

6. 🍯 Make caramel drizzle: In a small saucepan, gently heat maple syrup and almond butter until smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.

7. ✨ Drizzle warm caramel over the baked crisp just before serving!

🍽️ Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 260

• Carbs: 28g

• Sugar: 14g (natural)

• Fiber: 4g

• Fat: 15g

• Protein: 3g

💡 Sarah’s Tips

• Use a mix of apples for depth — some tart, some sweet.

• Nut-free? Skip the pecans or use sunflower seeds.

• Make it dairy-free: Stick with coconut oil and almond butter.

• Great make-ahead: Crisp can be prepped and stored in the fridge, then baked fresh before serving.

Why I Love It

This Caramel Apple Crisp hits that perfect spot between indulgent and wholesome. It’s sweet, warm, and nostalgic but without the sugar crash. The maple caramel adds just enough extra richness, and the whole thing is easy enough for weeknights but lovely enough for guests. A comfort-meets-clean healthy summer dessert that totally works year-round. 🍎🍯