This Keto Apple Crisp is easy to make, has to perfect amount of fall spices, and is positively delicious. With my special ingredient, you can enjoy apple crisp and still keep it low carb! Only 5 net carbs per serving. This delightful dessert has just 6 ingredients and is also gluten-free, sugar-free, and grain-free.
Before eating low carb, I remember the days of having a warm bowl of hot apple crisp with ice cream melting into the top of it. It’s one of the best desserts ever and as soon as apple picking season begins in September and October here in the Northeast I want some.
It was too hard to accept the idea that I would have to give up the flavor and texture of sweet and delicious apples. Rest assured, this low carb apple crisp doesn’t have a single apple, and you won’t even know the difference.
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I'm not the type of person to use cutesy names that reference a faux apple crisp or mock apple so I decided to just go ahead and call this an apple crisp despite the lack of apples. It truly tastes like one!
Fall desserts are always a hit, and I know that many people rave over pumpkin everything. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy some mildly flavored pumpkin desserts too, but apples steal my heart. Thankfully, with this recipe for keto apple crisp, I can enjoy a dessert that is so similar to real apples without the carbs or guilt involved.
Ingredients
There is, of course, the sweet apple pie filling along with the cinnamon-scented crumble topping. This whole dish has just 6 or 7 ingredients. Here are the ingredients you will be needing:
Jicama - You will need to peel and slice it, so it’s cut similar to apple slices. In my testing, I've found jicama to come the closest to apples in keto dessert recipes, much more so than zucchini or rutabaga. I want to try it next in my Apple Pie Cookies.
Cinnamon stick - You are welcome to skip the cinnamon stick, but I love including it just because it makes my house smell so good.
Brown Sugar Sweetener - A white sugar sweetener can work as well. Just mix in 1 teaspoon of molasses per cup for a brown sugar replacement.
Cinnamon - Always pick one with a strong scent.
Xanthan Gum - This is used as a thickener in low carb recipes. You can sub in glucomannan if you prefer.
Almond Flour - The base for the topping. If you'd like this to be nut-free use sunflower seed flour instead. Unfortunately, coconut flour is not a good substitute in this recipe.
Butter - I use salted butter to balance the sweetness. If you have unsalted butter just add a pinch of salt. Or coconut oil for a dairy-free apple crisp.
If you don't mind a few more carbs and are just looking for a sugar free gluten free apple crumble, be sure to try out my Apple Crisp with Oats, Pears, Cranberries, & Pumpkin.
Or go rogue and try my Keto Apple Cake that does indeed have real apples (and only 4 net carbs per serving!).
How To Make Keto Apple Crisp
Just the thought of smelling this apple crisp recipe cooking makes me drool! Here are the four steps needed to make this recipe.
Step One: Begin by boiling the sliced jicama along with a cinnamon stick until it has softened. It usually takes around 1 ½ - 2 hours. Just keep tasting it. It won't have much flavor but don't worry about that. You are looking for a cooked apple type of texture. The photo below is of my jicama after 2 hours of boiling.
Alternative method to soften jicama: you can soften the jicama in the instant pot by cooking it on manual high pressure for 30 minutes and then letting the pressure release naturally.
Don’t underboil the jicama! The jicama doesn’t lose its crunch while it bakes, only from boiling or cooking in a pressure cooker. This really is the most important step! It will take hours but it is worth it.
If you'd rather a crumble with chayote squash try this one.
Step Two: Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut the butter into the almond flour, cinnamon, and sweetener. Alternatively, you can process it in the food processor for a minute or two.
This is the crumb topping for your apple crisp. It is our favorite! I do also love a pecan crumb topping so feel free to try out some pecan meal in this instead of almond flour!
Step Three: Drain the water off the jicama and throw out the cinnamon stick. Add the sweeteners and cinnamon to the jicama. Sprinkle on the xanthan gum and combine well.
Place the mixture in an 8x8 baking dish then add the crumb topping.
Step Four: Bake the low carb apple crisp for 35-40 minutes or until the top is a beautiful golden brown. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, then serve with some keto ice cream like my Salted Caramel No Churn Ice Cream or my Low Carb Apple Pie Ice Cream. Sit back and enjoy it!
Variations
Spices - Feel free to add some nutmeg, ginger, apple pie spice, cardamon, or another spice you enjoy. You can also add some vanilla extract if you want.
Topping - You can vary the apple crisp topping to your preferences by adding some chopped pecans, chopped walnuts, or adding some of the spices mentioned above. Other options would be to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance the sweetness, some dried sugar-free cranberries, or if you are not strict keto you can add some oats into the crumble topping.
Common Questions
How To Pick A Good Jicama
If you’ve never boughten jicama before, it can be a little hard to know the best ones to get. You should be looking for smaller sized jicamas because they tend to cook faster than larger ones. Plus, small ones have a much sweeter flavor and that is exactly what we are going for in this low carb apple crisp recipe. Next, keep an eye out for one that is smooth and doesn’t have a bunch of cracks or bruises. Ideally, there shouldn’t be any spots that seem wet or soft because that is an indication they are going bad.
Can I just use apples?
If you want this to be keto I wouldn't recommend it. They have too many carbs to be used in most keto recipes. I do use a bit of apple in things like apple muffins where it isn't the main ingredient. If you are just looking for a low carb gluten free healthy apple crisp you can use granny smith apples.
How Do You Store Keto Apple Crisp?
After the low carb apple crisp has completely cooled, you can wrap it up and place it in the fridge. Use a piece of plastic wrap or aluminum foil then put it inside of a container that has a tight-fitting lid. It needs extra protection to keep it fresh longer. Typically the homemade apple crisp will last in the fridge for 3-4 days. I do keep all my low carb desserts in the fridge.
I like it both cold and warmed up. You can warm up individual servings in the microwave.
What Should I Serve With Low Carb Apple Crisp?
I love the classic combination of low carb keto vanilla ice cream with any type of keto apple dessert. Other good choices are whipped cream or just a little powdered sweetener sprinkled on top.
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Ingredients
Apple Filling:
- 3 lbs jicama peeled and cut into thin slices about the size of an apple slice
- 1 cinnamon stick optional
- 1 cup brown sugar sweetener
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
Crisp Topping:
- 2 cups almond flour
- ⅔ cup brown sweetener
- 5 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Boil the jicama with a cinnamon stick until it softens. This will take 1.5-2 HOURS. It is super important to just boil the heck out of it until it loses its crunch. It will not soften more when baking. (OR see notes for how to cook in a pressure cooker).
- Cut the butter into the almond flour, sweetener, and cinnamon to form the crumb topping.
- Drain the jicama. Discard the cinnamon stick, if using. Add the sweetener and cinnamon. Sprinkle on the xanthan gum and mix well. Transfer into an 8x8 baking dish. Top with the crumb topping
- Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published October 12, 2020. Revised and Republished March 28, 2023.
Carole says
This sounds delicious. Have you thought of or tried using a little Apple extract to get the apple flavor? I’ve used apple extract in apple bread using zucchini and the apple flavor is authentic. Just curious about using it here.
Taryn says
I haven't tried that yet. If you do please lmk how it turns out!
Dawn says
Your recipes are great!!! Where is the serving size on this recipe? I’ve noticed on several recipes the serving size is not listed.
Thanks
Dawn
Taryn says
It is listed at the top of the recipe card. This has 16 servings.
Teresa George says
I may try to boil the jicama in a sugar free apple juice to impart more apple flavor.
Roseanna says
I love apple crisp and have been looking for a low carb option. Many recipes use zucchini but the texture is not like an apple. Jicama is PERFECT!! I loved this recipe and even my husband ( who is hesitant to try substitutes) would have eaten the entire pan!!! DELICIOUS!!
Kathryn Aller says
My husband and I have been doing keto for awhile now. I stumbled across your page, and I am so grateful!!!!! Your recipes look wonderful and so easy to follow. I have been trying to invent new ways of cooking, but your recipes will take care of that. Thank you for all you do. I look forward to trying these, and eating well.
Kathryn Aller
Ruth tavera says
Excellent apple crisp. Lakanto monk fruit the best brown sweetener
Sherri says
I wondered if cooking jicama in electric pressure cooker will work and lessen the cooking time on stove??
Also have you considered using chayote squash?
Taryn says
Yes, a pressure cooker would definitely work. I just haven't had time to test that method yet. My guess is it would take 30 minutes on high pressure.
And I have not tried chayote squash but I'd like to.
Valerie says
What brown sugar sweetener do you use?
Taryn says
Normally I use Lakanto, but I've used Swerve and Sukrin as well.
Ruth tavera says
The best apple crisp w/o the carbs. Best to use a mandolin to get Jicama really thin. So delicious