The Apple Crisp recipe is a classic treat of the United States. It has long been considered a wholesome family snack. Its popularity in the United States has made apple crisp one of the most recognizable desserts in American cuisine.
But is Apple Crisp healthy?
Apple crisp is food that tastes good, has amazing health benefits, and is also…well, crisp! Okay, that last bit was redundant. Apple crisp makes your teeth snap and crunch. Apple crisp will really make your teeth hurt if you bite too hard. It can be a bit cheating because the edges are so crispy and delicious, while the rest is rather hard to chew through without teeth. But other than that — apples are healthy (don’t confuse them with applesauce, which has absolutely no health benefits).
So, is it really bad for you? Read this article to find out.
Table of Content
Apple Crisp – A Short Intro
Apple crisp is so amazingly delicious, you won’t know how you lived without it! This is an apple dish baked in the oven.
It’s usually a dessert made of sliced apples and a sweet or spicy, usually oat-based topping. The topping may be prepared with flour, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and oats. Some recipes include the addition of walnuts and nutmeg.
Apple crisp is often baked in a pie pan or similar dish to prevent spilling. In some recipes, apples can be peeled, while in others, they can’t. If the apples are unpeeled, the peel will soften during baking.
Apple crisp is similar to apple crumble, which does not include oats in its crumbly topping.
Apple crisp appears to have originated in the United States in the 19th century. Crisp apple varieties such as McIntosh are generally used to make apple crisp, although other varieties may be used.
The dish was first created in Europe. From there, immigrants brought the dish to America. It was originally named apple pandowdy and was cooked over an open fire. As we know it today, Apple crisp came about when the pandowdy name changed.
Apple crisp is a popular recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Its popularity has also begun to spread throughout the world.
Is Apple Crisp Healthy?
If you’re a fan of apple crisp, you probably already know it’s not the healthiest dessert choice. It’s loaded with sugar and fat, and even though it does contain apples, it’s not enough to make any health claims about the dish.
However, if you want to enjoy it in moderation, keep in mind that apples are a healthy fruit with their own nutritional benefits. Apple crisp might be worth eating occasionally if you love to eat it.
One serving of apple crisp contains approximately 231 calories, with 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat. Of the 30 grams of carbohydrates in apple crisp, almost one-third comes from dietary fiber.
Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that may protect us against heart disease. Fiber helps promote regularity, balances blood sugar levels, helps lower LDL cholesterol levels, and aids in weight loss. The remaining carbs come from sugars, which can impact blood sugar levels.
So, I recommend you to eat apple crisp as an occasional delicacy instead of making it your everyday dessert.
Nutrition Benefits of Apple Crisp
Typically, apples are a good source of fiber, essential for digestive health.
Each normal size apple has 4 grams of fiber, which accounts for 13% of your daily fiber requirements. Fiber lowers cholesterol and minimizes your risk of heart disease. However, cooked apples are not as nutritional and healthful as fresh apples.
Following is the nutritional profile of apple crisp (half cup).
| Portion Size | 141g |
| Calories | 227 |
| Total Fat | 4.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Sugars | 28 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Potassium | 110 mg |
| Sodium | 495 mg |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
Health Benefits of Apple Crisp
The healthiest part of apple crisp is the apples themselves.
Typically, one medium-sized apple has about 100 calories, 0 fat grams, and 7 grams of fiber. It also contains vitamins C, A, B-6, potassium, and calcium.
Apple crisp is basically a fancy name for baked apples. The health benefits of apple crisp are the same as eating raw apples. Among the top benefits that first spring to mind, is fiber, which apples are packed with.
A single medium-sized apple has about 4 grams of dietary fiber, most of which comes from a type called pectin.
The pectin in apples may help lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and prevent spikes in blood sugar levels after a meal.
All of this adds up to more energy and a lower risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Flavonoids, which are antioxidants found in apples, have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes. One flavonoid in particular, quercetin, has been shown to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve lung function in people with asthma.
Is Apple Crisp Bad for You?
Apple crisp is loaded with fiber thanks to the apples, oats, and nuts in the topping. Dietary fiber is a nutrient potentially good for gut health. It may help lower your diabetes and heart disease risk.
However, it’s also high in sugar and fat, which may counteract the benefits of its fiber content. A traditional serving of apple crisp contains nearly half of your daily recommended saturated fat intake and more than one-third of your daily added sugar intake.
Eating too much apple crisp may cause you to gain weight. As with any other food, the calories add up quickly if you eat more than your body requires each day.
Apple crisp is a source of saturated fat and cholesterol, especially if it contains butter or shortening in the topping. Apple crisp can increase your risk of heart disease. So you shouldn’t eat apple crisp regularly as a part of a heart-healthy diet.
Is Apple Crisp Fattening?
The answer is both yes and no. It can be fattening because it’s a dessert, but it doesn’t have to be fattening if you only eat it occasionally and in small portions.
Whenever you eat apple crisp, it is best to consume it in moderation. While there are some nutritional benefits in apples, apple crisp is an indulgence and should not be eaten regularly or in large portions.
An average serving of apple crisp has around 250 calories, with most of those calories coming from carbohydrates. This can make you gain weight if you eat too much of it.
Additionally, the presence of fats means that this dessert has significant caloric density. Even though it tastes light and refreshing!
Apple crisp contains a lot of sugar, which can spike your blood sugar very quickly. The presence of fiber in the apples may slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream, but this effect will only be minimal at best.
This dessert is also very high in carbohydrates and doesn’t contain much protein at all.
The fat content is relatively low; however, you should still consume this dessert sparingly because the sugar content is so high.
Is Homemade Apple Crisp Healthy?
With the arrival of fall, apple crisp is making an appearance at many family dinners. The health benefits of apple crisp vary depending on the recipe. But you can have a more nutritious dessert without sacrificing taste.
The health benefits of homemade apple crisps are better than the market bought. The reason is the ingredients you use in making the apple crisp. You can use your choice of honey crisp apples and other types of apples, along with sugar, cinnamon, and honey or brown sugar.
Moreover, you can also add nuts to improve the taste and texture of the apple crisp. Here are some tips for a healthy apple crisp:
- Use whole-wheat flour for a nutritional boost.
- Try to add less sugar in the topping as well as in the filling.
- Try to make a lighter topping with water and low-fat milk than cream.
- Sprinkle whole oats over the top instead of using rolled oats as an ingredient.
Easy, Healthy Apple Crisp Recipe for Two
Making individual-serving crisps is such a great way to enjoy this classic fall dessert. It’s easy to make as you can use any variety of apples. It’s a healthier alternative to some other dessert options.
Moreover, since it’s for two, you won’t be inclined to eat it all!
This apple crisp recipe is perfect for two people. Try it out!
Ingredients:
- 2 medium-sized apples (slice them finely thin)
- ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tbsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tbsp ground allspice
- ⅛ tbsp nutmeg
- 1 pinch of salt
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
Items You can Consider for Topping:
- 2 tbsp whole grain flour
- ¼ tbsp of ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 pinch of salt
Preparation Method:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cooking spray the ramekin and place it on the baking sheet.
- Mix apples, lemon juice, vanilla extract, maple syrup, cinnamon powder, grounded allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Combine and toss them until they mix thoroughly. Spread the filling mixture in the prepared ramekins.
- For the topping, combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, maple syrup, and salt in a separate bowl, and give a good toss. Next, add the butter and mix until the mixture looks like crumbles.
- After that, top this topping evenly on the ramekin filling.
- Place this prepared ramekin in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping turns slightly brown.
- Preferably, eat it warm or cool 10 to 15 minutes before presenting.
How Long Can You Eat Apple Crisp?
Apple crisps can be stored for up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Remember that if you are storing the apple crisp uncovered in the refrigerator, it will lose its texture and become a bit soggy. But if you keep it covered, then there is nothing to worry about.
You can also freeze your apple crisp if you want to store it for a longer time. Freeze your apple crisp for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container.
When defrosting your apple crisp, make sure to do it at room temperature. Otherwise, the crisp will lose its texture and will become soggy.
Are Homemade Apple Chips Healthier than Apple Crisp?
Apple chips and apple crisp are two different ways to prepare apples, but they are both healthy food items when cooked wisely.
Apple chips are made by slicing apples thinly and drying them out in an oven or food dehydrator. The method for making them is pretty simple. One just needs to make sure the apples are completely dry after they’re done.
Dried apples are considered healthy because they contain antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.
They can also be a good source of potassium and iron if you choose the right type of apples to slice up.
Apple chips that have been flavored with cinnamon or other spices maybe even healthier than plain ones, pies, or crumbles since these spices have their own set of health benefits too!
Apple crisp is not just healthy because it contains apples but also because it has other nutrients like oats, nuts, and various spices such as cinnamon which can help reduce inflammation in the body and improve digestion.
But it may contain certain other nutrients that may result in health risks.
FAQs
Question: What apples are good for apple crisp?
Answer: Honey crisp apples and granny smith are some best apple varieties for the healthy and tasty apple crisp, pies, and crumble recipes. However, you can consider Golden Delicious as well. Anyhow, you can decide with the preference of your taste and flavor.
Question: How long can you eat apple crisp?
Answer: You can eat apple crisp within two days after it has been prepared. However, if you have kept it in the refrigerator, then it can stay fresh for 4 to 5 days.
Question: How many calories are in homemade apple crisps?
Answer: Calories in the homemade apple crisps depend significantly on your ingredients. Typically, the home makes apple crisps contain 250 to 300 calories per serving. You can reduce this content further by skipping the sugar and other toppings.
Conclusion
Apple crisp is one of those sweet and tart dessert dishes that are hard to resist. It is a welcome addition to any holiday celebration and a great treat for a festive mid-week dinner.
But is apple crisp healthy?
Usually, apple crisp is healthy, but it is high in sugar. Added sugars provide many calories, but no nutritional value. They can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease risk.
So, enjoy your crispy baked apples in moderation to prevent any consequences!
