Recipe: Warm Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Crisp

This cinnamon apple cranberry crisp is made with healthy apples, dried fruit, walnuts and oatmeal. It’s full of flavors and is sure to please. Make it for your family or even a larger gathering.

Ingredients

• 6 medium apples, peeled
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup light butter
• 1/2 cup black walnuts, chopped

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix apples, cranberries, cinnamon and lemon juice. Spoon into ungreased 11×7 or 12×8 inch glass baking dish.
3. In another large bowl, mix remaining ingredients with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit mixture.
4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until apples are tender, juices bubble and topping is golden brown. Serve warm.

Ingredient health benefits

• Apples: The old saying about these delectable red fruits might have some truth to it. Apples are about 85% water, making them a hydrating snack, as well as a nutritious one. They also support a healthy gut with two key nutrients: quercetin and pectin. Quercetin, an antioxidant, fights bad bacteria in your gut, while pectin is a prebiotic that good gut bacteria eat.
• Cranberries: Though they may have humble, boggy beginnings, cranberries are packed with perks. Vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin K boost your immunity, bones and blood cells. The mineral manganese promotes brain health and helps your body break down important macronutrients, like proteins and carbs. And natural pigments called anthocyanins help protect your brain and heart from disease.
• Cinnamon: Who knew spices could add flavor and nutrition? Cinnamon, which comes from the bark of a tree, is full of antioxidants that suppress unwanted inflammation and protect your cells from dangerous free radicals. It also may be able to lower your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, but research is still ongoing.
• Oatmeal: A classic breakfast favorite, oatmeal is rich in minerals like manganese and copper. It also has vitamin B1 (thiamine) to support your eyes and nervous system, and fiber to promote good gut health and keep you fuller for longer.
• Walnuts: There are a lot of benefits behind those hard shells — like omega-3s, an essential component that keeps your body functioning as a whole. Walnuts are also home to powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, which may lower your risk of getting certain cancers. Not to mention unsaturated fats (also known as “healthy fats”) and vitamin E to keep your heart, eyes, skin and immune system in peak condition. That’s a tall order for a little nut!

Nutrition information (per serving)

Serves: 8
Serving size: 1/8 of recipe

Calories: 307
Total fat: 9.5 g
Saturated fat: 2.7 g
Cholesterol: 9.9 mg
Sodium: 70 mg
Total carbohydrate: 55 g
Dietary fiber: 5.8 g
Sugar: 33 g
Protein: 4.4 g
Potassium: 247 mg

— Recipe provided by Children’s Hospital Pediatric Nutrition Support Team.