Warm Maple Walnut Apple Crisp with 3 Sensational Spices

Maple Walnut Apple Crisp combines the delicious flavors of fresh, crisp apples, warm spices, and a crunchy topping of oats and walnuts. And it is a great way to enjoy apples in the fall and winter months. I love that this apple crisp has cinnamon, as well as nutmeg, and cloves, adding even more amazing flavor! Enjoying this warm Maple Walnut Apple Crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is so satisfying!

Ingredients in Maple Walnut Apple Crisp

• Maple Syrup – Provides sweetness with a great maple taste that pairs well with apples.
• Cornstarch – helps to thicken the apple mixture.
• Spices – The sensational combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in this apple crisp provides a warm, deliciousness.
• Vanilla Extract – Vanilla goes so well with cinnamon, apples, and oats.
• Apples – This recipe uses the tart Granny Smith apples with a sweeter variety such as Honeycrisp apples.
• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats – Topping apple crisp with oats is what makes this a hearty, high fiber dessert.
• All-Purpose Flour – Combining the oats with flour helps to fill out the crunchy topping.
• Light Brown Sugar – Adding brown sugar provides a toffee, caramel flavor.
• Chopped Walnuts – To add even more crunch, walnuts make a great addition to this apple crisp.
• Butter – Using cold butter helps to add flavor and create a flaky, delicious topping.

How to Make Maple Walnut Apple Crisp

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Next, in a large bowl, mix maple syrup, cornstarch, one tablespoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon of cloves, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Then, peel and core the apples before slicing them into ¼ inch slices. Add the apples to the large bowl with the maple syrup and spices, then toss them together. Then add the apples to the baking pan in an even layer and set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, walnuts, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Then add in the pieces of butter and mix with your hands, pastry cutter, or fork until the mixture becomes crumbly.

Top the apple mixture with the flour mixture, spreading evenly. Then bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes, or until the apples are bubbling and the top is golden brown.

Allow the apple crisp to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Then, serve warm and top with vanilla ice cream for even more deliciousness! Enjoy!

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Nutritional Benefits from Maple Walnut Apple Crisp

Maple Syrup

Maple syrup comes from the circulating sap inside sugar maple trees. While maple syrup is two-thirds sucrose or what we think of as table sugar, it also has nutrients that table sugar does not have. For example, in 1/3 cup of pure maple syrup, there is 165% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) from manganese, 28% of the RDI from zinc, and 7% of the RDI from iron.

Walnuts

Walnuts are another nutrient-packed ingredient in this recipe. Typically nuts contain high amounts of healthy fats, and walnuts have a higher percentage of omega-3 fatty acids than other nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory benefits and are great for heart health.

Walnuts also are an excellent source of protein and fiber, which helps promote fullness. Also, there are several vitamins and minerals such as copper, folic acid, phosphorus, vitamin B6, manganese, and vitamin E!

Apples

Apples are one of the most popular fruits and are delicious! They are high in fiber, with 4 grams in a medium-sized apple.  This fiber is insoluble and soluble, which helps keep you full, promotes healthy gut bacteria, and can help with weight loss.

In addition to fiber, apples are a good source of vitamin C and potassium. And they also have antioxidants such as quercetin which has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antidepressant effects.

Cinnamon

One of everyone’s favorite spices, cinnamon, also has proven health benefits. Cinnamon has antioxidants that protect your body from oxidative damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and may help lower your risk of heart disease. In addition, studies have found that it reduces total cholesterol levels and triglycerides and may even help increase your “good” cholesterol or HDL. In addition to lowering cholesterol, cinnamon can also reduce blood pressure. 

Another health benefit of cinnamon is improving insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon can also improve blood sugar levels, lowering fasting blood sugar levels by 10-29%.

If you love cinnamon, try this Cinnamon Tea!

Oats

Oats have fantastic health benefits and nutritional content. The mineral content alone is outstanding with a half cup of dry oats containing 191% of the RDI from manganese, 41% of the RDI from phosphorus, 34% of the RDI from magnesium, 24% of the RDI from copper, and 20% of the RDI from iron and zinc. There is also 39% of the RDI from thiamine or vitamin B1.

And of course, oats are known for the fiber content from beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber. This fiber has super health benefits, including reducing total cholesterol and LDL levels, improving the bodies’ response to insulin, lowering blood sugars, increasing satiety or fullness, and helping promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria.

Tips for Making This Apple Crisp Recipe

• You can make this apple crisp ahead of time. Just follow all the steps before placing it in the oven. Then, place it in the refrigerator covered with foil and bake it before you are ready to serve.
• If you follow a gluten-free diet, you can use gluten-free flour such as almond flour and use certified gluten-free oats.
• Store in the refrigerator covered in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
• Feel free to use other apple varieties such as Braeburn, Pink Lady, Gala, or McIntosh.

Be sure to take pictures of your Maple Walnut Apple Crisp masterpiece and tag @noshnourishwander on Instagram if you make this recipe! Also, pin this recipe to your Pinterest board! Also, be sure to leave a rating and comments about the recipe! Thank you!

More Fall Recipe Ideas!

• Tasty Kale Apple Walnut Salad
• Healthy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
• Tasty Chocolate Chip Baked Oats

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