Citric Acid Free Dark Chocolate Almond Apple Crisp
Warm, bubbling apples beneath a golden crunch of oats, almonds, and dark chocolate — this dessert is the kind of thing that makes a kitchen smell absolutely incredible. The filling gets its depth from maple syrup, cinnamon, and a touch of ginger, while arrowroot starch helps it thicken into that perfect jammy texture as it bakes. A small amount of fresh lemon juice brightens the apples without leaning on any processed citric acid additives, which can sneak into store-bought desserts and packaged mixes in surprising ways. The topping comes together with almond flour, rolled oats, chopped raw almonds, and coconut oil, so every bite has serious texture and richness. Folding in roughly chopped dark chocolate at 70% cacao or higher adds a bittersweet note that makes this feel genuinely indulgent rather than just wholesome. Everything is straightforward to assemble, and that 10-minute rest after baking is worth every second — the filling tightens up beautifully and the topping stays satisfyingly crisp. It's the kind of crowd-pleasing dessert that disappears fast, no matter the occasion.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the apple filling
- 5 medium apples (about 2 ½ lb), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
For the oat-almond topping
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ½ cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 oz dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), roughly chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a small amount of coconut oil.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp cinnamon, ground ginger, arrowroot starch, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated, then spread them in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
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