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Lightened-Up Salted Caramel Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble: Easy Fall Dessert

lightened-up salted caramel apple crisp - featured image
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A lightened-up version of classic apple crisp with tender apples, a crunchy oat crumble, and ribbons of salted caramel. This easy fall dessert comes together in 15 minutes of active prep and is perfect for cozy nights or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce (store-bought, e.g., Trader Joe’s or Stonewall Kitchen)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ⅓ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons salted caramel sauce (for drizzle, warmed)
  • Flaky sea salt for finishing (e.g., Maldon)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Peel, core, and slice apples into ¼-inch thick slices. Place in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  3. Add maple syrup, 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of sea salt to the apples. Toss gently to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine rolled oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir with a fork. Pour in melted butter and stir until mixture resembles wet sand with clumps. Fold in nuts if using.
  5. Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle oat crumble evenly over the top without pressing down.
  6. Place dish on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling around the edges.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Drizzle remaining 3 tablespoons salted caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
  8. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, or a drizzle of warm milk.

Notes

Let the apples sit for 5 minutes after tossing with maple syrup and caramel to draw out natural juices. Don’t overmix the topping; leave some clumps for crunch. Start checking at 30 minutes if your oven runs hot. For best results, serve warm. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to re-crisp the topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, lightened-up apple crisp, salted caramel apple crisp, oat crumble, fall dessert, healthy apple crisp, easy apple crisp

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/lightened-up-salted-caramel-apple-crisp-with-oat-crumble-easy-fall-dessert/