This simple apple crisp recipe is made with cinnamon, crystalized ginger, and only takes only one bowl to make! A healthier and easy fall dessert to make again and again!
I love to serve mine with a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or even vanilla Greek yogurt for a healthier topping. You can also use coconut-based whipped cream, or non-dairy ice cream or yogurt to make it vegan-friendly.

This was originally posted in 2018, but has since be updated and improved.
Serious question: Pie or crisp?
If you're reading this post, I'm gunna take a shot in the dark that you're team crisp, but I'm no psychic.
I'm one of those annoying pie eaters, that just eats the filling inside, and leaves a sad empty shell of crust behind. That's why a crumbly, cinnamon-studded crisp topping is more my style. I don't leave ANY of that behind.
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Ingredients you'll need to make this
- apples
- maple syrup
- cinnamon
- vanilla
- lemon juice
- rolled oats, ground (or oat flour)
- rolled oats
- coconut oil, solid (or plant-based butter)
- candied ginger
- salt
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (191°C). Core and chop 6 medium apples. I like to use a heartier apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. I also like to keep the skin on for a little extra fiber and texture, but if that's not your thing, feel free to peel before chopping.
Add apples to a large mixing bowl, and stir together with 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice until combined. Pour the apple mixture into a large cast iron skillet, or oven-proof skillet.

In the same mixing bowl you used for the apples, mix together ½ cup of ground rolled oats or oat flour, ½ rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt until combined. Stir in ¼ cup of maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons solid coconut oil (or plant-based butter). Use 2 forks or your hands to crumble the mixture until crumbly. Stir in ⅓ cup of chopped crystalized ginger. Pour topping over prepared apples. Bake in preheated oven for 30-25 minutes, or until topping is golden brown, and apples are bubbling. Carefully remove skillet from oven, and let cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips
- To make gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats/oat flour.
- Add a little extra crunch by mixing in chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping before baking.
- If not strictly vegan, you can use butter instead of coconut oil.
FAQs
What kind of apples should I use for this?
I would use a firmer apple, like a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These will hold their shape more than softer apples like McIntosh, which can turn too soft and mushy when cooked.
What can I use instead of coconut oil?
I would use coconut oil or a plant-based butter to keep vegan-friendly. If not vegan, you can use regular unsalted butter instead.
Money-Saving Tips for this Apple Crisp
Buy in bulk. If reasonable, purchase items you use often like cinnamon or oats in bulk for a lower cost per serving. If your grocery store has one, use the bulk section for oats or crystalized ginger.
Shop sales. Look for sales on items like apples. They are often cheaper when in season during the early fall. Keep some stored in a cool place to last longer.
more fall-inspired desserts
Pumpkin Pie Stuffed Baked Apples
Did you make this recipe? Leave me a comment and a rating to let me know how it came out!


Simple Cinnamon Ginger Apple Crisp
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This simple apple crisp recipe is made with cinnamon, crystalized ginger, and only takes only one bowl to make! A healthier and easy fall dessert to make again and again!
Ingredients
- Filling:
- 6 medium apples, cored and chopped
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Topping:
- ½ cup oats, ground (or oat flour)*
- ½ cup rolled oats*
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, solid (or plant-based butter)**
- ⅓ cup candied ginger, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
- In a large bowl, combine chopped apples, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
- Add filling ingredients to a cast iron skillet, and set aside.
- In the same bowl, add ground and whole oats, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add maple syrup and coconut oil.
- Use fork or fingers to mix until topping mixture becomes crumbly.
- Sprinkle in chopped ginger.
- Evenly pour topping over prepared filling.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until topping in golden brown, and filling is bubbly.
- Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
* use certified gluten-free oats/flour to make gluten-free.
**If not vegan, you can use regular unsalted butter.
nutrition information estimated.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅙ recipe
- Calories: 264
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 199
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 54
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: apple, ginger, cinnamon, dessert, fall, recipe, crisp, vegan, gluten-free
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
theres nothing better than a warm apple crisp on a chilly fall day! This Apple Crisp looks amazing!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon
That skillet granola really was life changing... glad to see you brought the skillet idea back home and whipped up this beauty! I want to dive right in with your description of the apples!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Apple crisp all the way!!! I love the ginger too! <3
Rachel @ Delicious Balance
This looks too good! I love warm apple crisp with some ice cream...the best part is when the ice cream is melted into it...oh my yum! Congrats on your long run and good luck with the race!
Melanie
I am totally an apple crisp over apple pie person too. I only eat the crust if I have it with ice cream or something to make it taste good. How could anyone choose pie crust over crisp? 😉 I've never put ginger in my apple crisps, so I'm excited to try this recipe!
Janelle @ WhollyHealthy
Yum! The addition of ginger sounds amazing
Alison
This looks the ideal start to a cold morning
GiGi Eats
The way that dish made your house smell...... Ugh! I wouldn't be able to stop eating that crisp!!! Willpower - BUH BYE!
Emily Cooper
And this is why I brought it to work to share. 🙂
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
Always count me in for crisp 🙂
Ceylon Golden Cinnamon
I could decide by looking at these photos... This is VERY tasty... wow... there is a meal, it's called "saman thel dala" in sri lanka. this look is similar to it. Thanks for sharing this with us.
★★★★★