Introducing a delectable twist on the classic dessert – Healthy Vegan Chocolate Apple Crisp. This wholesome indulgence combines the natural sweetness of crisp apples with a rich chocolate crumble, creating a guilt-free treat that satisfies both your sweet tooth and your commitment to a plant-based lifestyle. This delicious apple crisp recipe is guaranteed to be a hit amongst all!
Apple desserts have always been one of my favorite fall treats. The sweet apple mixture combined with the crumbly topping is just such a perfect combination. Although I love traditional apple crisps, I love this chocolate apple crisp recipe even more. It's rich, sweet, and absolutely delicious!
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Healthy Apple Crisp Ingredients:
This vegan apple crisp recipe is great because it is made with simple ingredients you can pick up at your local grocery store and it's always a fan favorite.
For The Apple Mixture:
- Fresh Apples - Apples serve as the star of the dish, providing natural sweetness and a pleasing texture when baked. They contribute essential vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making the dessert both delicious and nutritious. I recommend using a crisp apple variety such as Honeycrisp apples or Granny Smith apples. Typically, the sweeter apples taste better in this dish.
- Coconut Cream - Coconut cream adds richness and a velvety texture to the apple mixture. Its subtle coconut flavor is the perfect way to complement the sweetness of the apples and enhances the overall creaminess of the dish. Coconut cream is a great alternative to vegan butter and provides healthy fats that may support heart health, and its medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can offer a quick source of energy.
- Maple Syrup - Maple syrup sweetens the apple mixture with a rich, natural sweetness. It also imparts a distinct flavor that pairs well with the apples and contributes to the comforting, warm taste of the homemade apple crisp. Make sure to buy a large container so you can make my Homemade Gluten-Free & Vegan Protein Bars too.
- Corn Starch - Corn starch acts as a thickening agent, helping to bind the apple filling and create a luscious, cohesive filling. This ensures that the dessert has the perfect consistency when served.
- Sea Salt - Sea salt enhances the flavors in the apple mixture, balancing the sweetness and adding a subtle savory element.
For The Crisp Topping:
- Gluten-Free Flour - Gluten-free flour is a versatile alternative suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. It ensures the crisp topping maintains its delightful texture without compromising dietary restrictions.
- Sunbutter Organic Sunflower Seed Butter - Sunflower seed butter adds richness, nut-free nuttiness, and a creamy consistency to the crisp topping. It also serves as a plant-based alternative to traditional butter, making the recipe vegan and oil-free! You'll also be able to use this in my Creamy One-Pot Vegan Ramen Noodles, too!
- Coconut Sugar - Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener derived from coconut sap. It imparts a caramel-like sweetness to the crisp topping, offering a more unrefined and lower glycemic index alternative to traditional sugars. It is the perfect 1:1 substitute for brown sugar.
- Vanilla Extract - Vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile of the crisp topping, providing a sweet and aromatic dimension. It complements the other ingredients, contributing to a well-rounded and delectable dessert experience. I recommend using Mexican vanilla because it has a much deeper flavor.
- Cacao Powder - Cacao powder adds a rich chocolate flavor to the crisp topping, creating a harmonious blend with the sweetness of the apples. It introduces a decadent element to the dessert. Cacao powder is also rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and minerals like magnesium. I always buy in bulk so I can make chocolate desserts like my 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies.
- Dark Chocolate Chips - Dark chocolate chips provide bursts of chocolatey goodness throughout the crisp topping. They melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of rich, velvety chocolate that enhance the overall indulgence of the dessert.
- Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream - This vegan apple crisp tastes amazing when served with ice cream. I've linked my go-to homemade vanilla ice cream recipe.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make The Best Vegan Apple Crumble:
I absolutely love this easy vegan apple crisp recipe because, well, it is so easy! This recipe only takes a few simple steps, and it is an absolute crowd pleaser.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Apple Mixture:
- Prepare the apples by peeling the apples and slicing them into thick slices.
- In a cast iron skillet or stove top-safe casserole dish, combine the coconut cream and maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt. Set to medium heat and bring to a simmering boil.
- Add the apple slices and mix. Cook until the apples have softened, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Crisp Topping:
- In a large bowl, combine gluten-free flour, Sunbutter Organic Sunflower Seed Butter, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, cacao powder, and dark chocolate chips. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly texture. Make sure not to over-mix or add any extra water. You want the crumble topping just sticky enough that you can form crumbly balls of it with your hands if you push really hard.
- Top the Apples:
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the prepared apple mixture in the baking dish or cast iron skillet. Ensure complete coverage for that delightful crumbly topping.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until the topping is dark golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and cooked through.
- Cool Slightly:
- Allow the vegan apple crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the filling set.
- Serve with Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream:
- Spoon the warm vegan apple crisp into individual serving bowls. Top each serving with a scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.
Hint: Feel free to drizzle additional maple syrup or sprinkle some extra dark chocolate chips on top for an extra burst of sweetness.
Substitutions:
There are quite a few substitutions that can be made to this chocolate apple crisp recipe if needed. Here are some of the common ones.
- Flour - If you are not gluten-free, you can use all-purpose flour as a 1:1 substitute in this recipe. You can also use almond flour for a perfectly crisp gluten-free substitution that is also paleo. Oat flour is another great gluten-free flour option. All these gluten-free substitutions are a great 1:1 substitution.
- Apple - There really isn't a best apple for this vegan apple crisp recipe. However, there are endless varieties of apples that will work perfectly. Aside from the ones I previously mentioned, any type of apple will work, however, I don't recommend using tender apples and instead recommend using firm apples such as Pink Lady apples, Honeycrisp apples, or fun varieties such as Cosmic Crisp apples.
- Sugar - If you want a more wholesome, fiber-packed sweetener, you can replace coconut sugar with date sugar. It's important to keep in mind that date sugar won't melt the same as coconut sugar, however, it will work. I recommend adding an extra tablespoon of water to ensure that it is not too dry.
If you have any questions about a particular substitution not listed, make sure to leave a comment and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible!
Chocolate Apple Crisp Variations:
This chocolate apple crisp recipe is already a fun variation of a traditional apple crisp. However, there are still plenty of fun ways to mix it up. Here are some of my favorite vegan apple crisp variations.
- Oats - You can add ¼ cup of either rolled oats or quick oats and 1 tablespoon of water to the crumble topping for a delicious and hearty addition.
- Extra Crispy - You can add 1-2 tablespoons of melted vegan butter or coconut oil to the crumble mixture for an extra crispy and delicious crisp topping.
- Cinnamon - A teaspoon of cinnamon is the perfect addition to this easy vegan apple crumble. I love mixing it into the apple mixture or the crumble mixture.
- Double Chocolate - You can use vegan chocolate ice cream for extra chocolatey goodness. I recommend using my Vegan Chocolate Sunflower Ice Cream or my Mushroom Ice Cream.
Equipment:
To make your Vegan Apple Crisp, you'll need the following equipment:
- Mixing Bowls - You will need a mixing bowl to mix the flour mixture into the crumble topping.
- Baking Dish - A suitable baking dish to hold the apple mixture and crisp topping. I recommend using a cast iron skillet, or a casserole dish that doubles as a saute pan, so you don't have to dirty as many dishes.
- Vegetable Peeler and Knife - For preparing fresh apples by peeling and slicing them.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons - Essential for accurate measurements of ingredients.
- Spatula or Mixing Spoon - To gently combine the apple mixture and ensure an even distribution in the baking dish.
- Cooling Rack (Optional) - If you prefer to cool the crisp slightly before serving, a cooling rack can help air circulate around the dish.
- Serving Bowls or Plates - To present and serve the delicious vegan apple crisp.
- Ice Cream Scoop (if serving with ice cream) - For adding a delightful scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream to each serving
Storage:
These vegan apple crisps store super well. It's a great make-ahead dessert. If you are making it ahead, you can simply cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
However, if you are storing any leftovers, I recommend storing them in an airtight container. When stored properly, this chocolate apple crisp will store for up to 2 weeks.
Top Tip:
Your apples will turn brown as you cut them. If you want to prevent this, you can sprinkle a little lemon juice on them to prevent them from turning brown. Ultimately, you will cook the apples, so the color doesn't really matter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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If you enjoy nutty flavors, you can add chopped nuts like pecans or almonds to the crisp topping for an extra crunch and richness.
Absolutely! While apples are a classic choice, you can experiment with other fruits like pears, berries, or a combination for a unique twist.
Related Sunbutter Recipes:
Looking for other recipes that use Sunbutter Organic Sunflower Seed Butter? Try these:
If you try this Healthy Vegan Chocolate Apple Crisp Recipe, I’d really love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating! Make sure to share it on social media and tag @theallnaturalvegan to be featured! Thank you for supporting The All Natural Vegan!
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Apple Crisp
Equipment
- 1 cast iron skillet
Ingredients
For The Apples:
For The Apple Mixture:
- 8-10 Fresh Apples e.g., Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 5.4oz can Coconut Cream
- ⅓ cup Maple Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Corn Starch
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
For The Crisp Topping:
- ¼ cup Gluten-Free Flour
- ½ cup Sunbutter Organic Sunflower Seed Butter
- 1 cup Coconut Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 tablespoon Cacao Powder
- ⅓ cup Dark Chocolate Chips
Toppings:
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Apple Mixture:
- Prepare the apples by peeling the apple skin and slicing the apples into thick slices.
- In a cast iron skillet or stove top-safe casserole dish, combine the coconut cream and maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt. Set to medium heat and bring to a simmering boil.
- Add the apple slices and mix. Cook until the apples have softened, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Crisp Topping:
- In a large bowl, combine gluten-free flour, Sunbutter Organic Sunflower Seed Butter, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, cacao powder, and dark chocolate chips. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly texture. Make sure not to over-mix or add any extra water. You want the crumble topping just sticky enough that you can form crumbly balls of it with your hands if you push really hard.
Top the Apples:
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the prepared apple mixture in the baking dish or cast iron skillet. Ensure complete coverage for that delightful crumbly topping.
Bake to Perfection:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until the topping is dark golden brown, and the apple filling is bubbly and cooked through.
Cool Slightly:
- Allow the vegan apple crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the filling set.
Serve with Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream:
- Spoon the warm vegan apple crisp into individual serving bowls. Top each serving with a scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch
More Vegan Apple Recipes:
Looking for more delicious vegan apple recipes? Make sure to check out these delicious apple recipes.
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