Apple Crisp with Hazelnuts and Peanut Butter, No Butter Needed

This crisp has a topping that clumps like granola: rolled oats, chopped hazelnuts, a big spoon of peanut butter, a little maple syrup and cinnamon. Peanut butter holds it together, so there is no butter in it at all.

The recipe

Time: 35 to 45 min Makes: 6 servings

You need

• About 6 apples, cored and diced (or 4 cups of berries, pears or peaches)

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp water for the apples

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts (or walnuts or pecans)

• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter

• 3 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

Make it

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Toss the diced apples with the cornstarch, 1 tbsp maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon and water in a baking dish.

3. In a bowl, stir the oats, hazelnuts, peanut butter, 3 tbsp maple syrup, cinnamon and salt until it clumps.

4. Scatter the topping over the apples. For a pretty top, fan a few thin apple slices in the middle.

5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the fruit bubbles at the edges and the top is golden. Rest 10 minutes so the juices thicken.

Why it works. Use whatever fruit you have: berries, apples, pears and peaches all bake into a soft, jammy filling. Peanut butter holds the topping together instead of butter.

Find this crisp and five more easy desserts in the free Sweet & Simple dessert guide.

Priska is a nurse with 20+ years of experience in the US and Switzerland and holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition. Recipes here are for general education, not medical advice.