It’s harvest season and one crop that we always have an abundance of in this region is apples. I have so many apples right now and one of my favourite recipes is apple crisp. Simple and cheap to make, this is a family favourite. Traditionally the sweet and crispy crust gets its texture from butter which we no longer eat. I tried a few different substitutes all with bad results. It still tasted good, but the topping was lacking the crispness that gives this dish it’s name. After a few misses I came up with a hit! Coconut oil instead of butter! The top turns out crispy and golden and has a delicious hint of coconut flavour. I also switched the traditional sugar for maple syrup. This means it gets its sweetness from natural sugars plus the maple flavour along with the apples is divine! This new twist on an old recipe makes a tasty family treat that everyone will enjoy, vegan or not.

Apple crisp is really quite simple. All you need are the following;

Around 6 large apples (8 or so if using smaller ones)

2 cups quick oats

1/2 cup maple syrup (you can use brown sugar if you can’t find maple syrup)

1/2 cup coconut oil

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Wash apples, peel, and cut into slices. If you want to save time you don’t have to peel the apples.

Place the sliced apples in a baking dish. A 9″ round of square casserole dish is perfect but anything similar will do.

In a separate bowl combine the oats, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Mix until well blended. Pour oat mixture over apples, spread evenly and smooth over. Place in oven for 45 min or until the top begins to brown. Let cool 30 min before serving. Simply scoop into serving bowls making sure to get some cooked apples and crispy topping in each serving. Can be served warm or cold.

Simple, affordable, and a great way to use up apples. This veganized family recipe is perfect for dessert on a cool fall evening. Great on its own, or with a scoop of vegan ice cream. Nuts, berries. And coconut make great toppings too.

Hope you give this recipe a try. I should add that while you’re making this your house will smell amazing! For a twist, add some cinnamon, vanilla extract, or nuts to the oat mixture. You can add raisins or dried fruit to the apples too. There are so many variations… which is good because I have lots of apples to use up!

Enjoy!