The start of apple season lures me in each year to my old time family favorites (maybe with a healthier twist). Growing up with apple trees, the smell of fresh made applesauce and apple pies, has me rushing to my local farmer’s market and health food coop to buy tasty, local, organic apples each Fall. It’s the next best thing to getting them freshly picked from a local farm.
I wanted to share my easy to put together favorite, apple crisp. You don’t need a crust (although you can add one if you’d like), and this version is Gluten and Guilt Free! Enjoy and have a happy Fall season!
Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients for Topping
3/4 cups All purpose Gluten Free Flour
3/4 cups uncooked gluten free, organic rolled oats (*option: pulse in food processor or Vitamix)
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, or Natural Demerara sugar
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
Ingredients for Filling
5-7 Apples (I use 4 Granny Smith & 3 McIntosh) (can add more if using a larger baking dish)
1/3 cup raw sugar
1 tsp grated zest of Lemon
1 tsp cinnamon (my favorite is Saigon Cinnamon)
Directions:
1. Peel & core apples and cut into ½ “ slices.
2. Mix sliced apples, sugar and cinnamon together in bowl and put in lightly greased 13 x 9” baking dish.
3. Pulse the oats if you want a flour consistancy, (this can be done in the Vitamix blender or in food processor). Then mix flour, oats, sugar and softened butter in bowl. Use pastry blender to blend until mixed well and has a crumb consistancy. Spread crumbs over the apple cranberry mixture.
4. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for additional 40 minutes or until knife goes into apples easily.
Healthy Notes:
- Oats are a good source of soluble fiber, which can help in lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and control blood sugar levels. Using whole grain flour adds to the benefits of a high fiber complex carbohydrate.
- Apples are a great source of vitamin C and fiber, help lower LDL levels, and have a flavanoids that help protect against certain cancers and may help lower LDL levels.
