This gluten-free, vegan Pecan Apple Crisp will become your family’s new favourite after just one bite! It’s fall and that means making the most of fall’s star fruit – apples! This Pecan Apple Crisp is a healthy delicious excuse to buy bags and bags of apples this season. It’s a twist on your traditional crisp because it’s made with nutty pecans in the topping for some extra indulgence and flavour. This crisp is addictive (I’ve already had two helpings today) and it’s the perfect inclusive treat to have on hand for guests as we get into the holiday season.

Must Make Apple Recipes Cooking Class

Can’t get enough of these delicious, crunchy, scrumptious fall fruits? Join me for my Must Make Apple Recipes Cooking Class, I’ll be teaching you step by step how to make this Pecan Apple Crisp to satisfy any autumn sweet tooth. This cooking class is also a little different because you’ll get to choose your second recipe. Pick either savoury and sensible, or sweet and sumptuous. We’ll be making either my Cranberry-Apple Kale Slaw to help you meet your daily dose of greens, OR my Apple Cider Cocktail/Mocktail – because who doesn’t love happy hour! Either way, you choose, you’ll be reaping the benefits of these delectable and nutritious fall fruits!

Learn more about my fall programming here and email info@jesselanewellness.com to book a team-building event for your team.

Pecan Apple Crisp Recipe

gluten-free & vegan

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Serving size: 4-6

Pecan Apple Crisp Filling

• 4 cups thinly sliced apples, 3-4 apples
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• ¼ cup oat flour *see step 1
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Pecan Crisp Topping

• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup chopped raw pecans
• ¼ cup oat flour *see step 1
• ¼ cup coconut oil, softened
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Make oat flour by placing 1 cup of oats in a food processor or coffee grinder and blend until flour-like consistency. Alternatively, you can use almond flour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F.
3. Place apples in a bowl and toss with lemon juice and maple syrup. Add oat flour and cinnamon and toss once more.
4. Mix all the pecan crisp topping ingredients together in a separate bowl and set aside.
5. Place the pecan apple crisp filling into a baking dish and top with the topping.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until the apples have softened and the juices have released.
7. Remove from the oven and serve with whipped cream, a la mode or as it is. You can also eat it for breakfast with Greek yogurt!

Health Benefits of Apples

Apples have so many nutritional qualities! They’re filled with water, fiber, and pectin to support digestion and feed good gut bacteria. They contain 1 gram of protein per serving, and they’re loaded with health-promoting vitamins and minerals. Apples contain vitamin C which helps support the immune system, the skin, connective tissue, and more. They also contain loads of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids to prevent disease and keep you feeling your best. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” isn’t just a saying, it’s science! 

Apple Picking: Fall’s Sweetest Outdoor Activity

As the weather starts to cool it becomes more and more difficult to find outdoor activities. It seems like as soon as fall hits, everyone and everything turns indoors. One of my favourite ways to get some crisp fresh air and get outside during the fall is by going apple picking! Apple picking is one of our family’s favourite fall activities for a number of reasons.

01. Reduces stress

Firstly, this gives us a great excuse to bundle up and get outside! Fresh air is so important and I love any opportunity to get out of the city and away from ever-present pollutants. An apple orchard is a perfect place to get some space and some clean air in my lungs! Being in nature has shown to have multiple health benefits including reduced stress and anxiety, increased cognitive function, and a lower heart rate. I always feel so calm and grounded when we go apple picking.

02. Bonding experience

I also love the togetherness that this fun fall activity brings. We always go apple picking as a family and we have such a fun time! Apple picking provides your crew with a team goal – find the best apples. This common goal fosters determination, teamwork, and provides mental stimulation for all of us. Going home at the end of the day is great because we’ve spent the day bonding as a family and my kids are totally tuckered out.

03. Yummy apple to eat

The final benefit of apple picking is what you take home at the end of the day – the apples! Apples are super nutritious, delicious, and versatile. I love the crisp tart flavour of a McIntosh apple. Picking apples from the tree means you’re getting the freshest, ripest possible lot. This means extra nutrients. Apples that have been allowed to ripen will hold more flavour too. Yum! Also picking from an orchard helps you support your local community by supporting local farms.

Apple picking is the perfect fun fall activity. You’ll have the greatest time out in the orchard and when you get home, every bite from your delicious bounty will be a scrumptious, crisp reminder of the wonderful day you spent with those you love.

Looking For Ways To Make The Most of Those Fresh Apples?

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Apple Cinnamon Muffins are the perfect breakfast for a crisp fall morning! The sweet fall apples are the star of these muffins and the cinnamon gives them a comforting warmth. I use nutty spelt flour in this recipe for a nutrient boost. 

Sweet Autumn Salad

As the autumn leaves begin to turn beautiful shades of red and the sunny days become crisp, I find myself reaching for heartier salads like this Sweet Autumn Salad. This salad has all of my favourite autumn flavours like roasted cinnamon butternut squash, dried cranberries, crisp apples, walnuts and dates. I top this salad with my go-to Balsamic Maple Dressing.

Apple Cinnamon Quinoa

This filling breakfast is a twist on your everyday oatmeal because it’s made with quinoa! This means it’s protein-packed and ready to fuel your fall activities (apple picking maybe)? It’s filled with antioxidant-rich cranberries, warming spices like ginger, scrumptious maple syrup, and of course – apples! 

Leafy Waldorf Salad

Growing up I loved Waldorf salad so I was really excited to create this healthy mayo-free version. Leafy Waldorf Salad is a sweet and refreshing light lunch or side. The Creamy Honey Dressing is well balanced with yoghurt, sweet honey and acidic lemon juice with an olive oil base.  It’s topped with tart Macintosh apples, crunchy celery, juicy grapes and toasted pecans. Yum!

Hot Apple Cider Smoothie

This smoothie is like having Apple Cider for breakfast! It’s unusual to warm smoothies but trust me, this one will blow your mind! It features crisp green apples, ginger, cinnamon, and spinach for an extra boost of minerals! This warm smoothie is the perfect way to get your fall flavours AND your greens in all at once!