Mock Apple Crisp with Zucchini (No One Will Know)

If you like whipped cream cascading onto a crispy buttery oat crumble with a cinnamon apple pie-like center, then you have got to try Mock Apple Crisp with Zucchini. You will never know that it’s made without apples. The zucchini disguises itself in this delicious dessert to taste just like baked apples.

It’s the new year, and that means that it’s the time of year again when everyone wants to get more veggies into their diets. My favorite way to eat more veggies is to put those veggies into a not-vegetably-tasting delicious dessert. Balance. And it’s easy to eat more veggies when it’s in a scrumptious crisp like this Mock Apple Crisp with Zucchini. You have got to see what your family thinks of this sweet zucchini recipe.

What To Do When You Have A Lot of Zucchini

I LOVE ZUCCHINI. If zucchini is in our home, I am invincible in the kitchen. But sometimes we have too much zucchini. This Mock Apple Crisp with Zucchini is a surefire way to use up a few zucchini, and no one will even know that you are sneaking a few extra veggies onto their plate.

Zucchinis are so versatile. They can pull off any flavor (sweet or savory), be eaten in multiple formats, and they are always inexpensive. Over the years, I have tried many zucchini recipes like zucchini chocolate cake and even mock-crab zucchini crab cakes. And time after time, I am blown away by what flavors this vegetable can accomplish.

Check out some more of my best zucchini recipes:

• Quick Mediterranean Shrimp Sheet Pan with Lemon Olive Oil Sauce (Uses 1 zucchini)
• Sheet Pan Mexican Street Corn Stuffed Chicken Zucchini Boats (Uses 3 zucchini)
• Sausage Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats (Easy Clean-up) (Uses 3 zucchini)

Tips to Make the Best Zucchini Crisp

I believe everyone has a dessert weakness–and crisp is mine. I could eat this whole pan of zucchini crisp in a single sitting. Here are some tips to make the most delicious zucchini crisp.

You HAVE to Use Lemon Juice

To make the zucchini taste more like apples you need to add some acid to the zucchini. I have seen some recipes that try to use vinegar, but in my opinion, lemon juice suits the dessert much better. It also mimics the taste that is traditionally added to apple pies. Make sure not to skip adding the lemon juice to this recipe, or else the zucchini might taste more like a vegetable.

Peel the Zucchini

If I can avoid peeling something I will, but it’s necessary in this recipe to use peeled zucchini. The skin on the zucchini is too tough and rubbery when it’s baked. Plus, the dark green skin might be a turn-off to some picky eaters. For best results, peel the zucchini before using it in this recipe.

Remove All of the Zucchini Seeds

The seeds should be carefully scooped out of the middle of the zucchini. The texture of the seeds detracts from the zucchini-mimicking the taste of apples, and it will mess up the texture and flavor of the crisp.

Chop the Zucchini to mimic Apples

Dice the zucchini to the size of diced or sliced apples to achieve the right size and feel of traditional apple pieces. To chop with ease, start by halving the zucchini lengthwise. Next, scoop out the seeds in the middle of each half of the zucchini, and then chop the zucchini into apple-like pieces.

Cook the Zucchini Until Softened Before Baking the Crisp

You have to soften the zucchini to achieve the right texture in the crisp. Make sure to saute your zucchini until it is tender before adding it to the crisp. Saute the zucchini in a non-stick pan over medium heat until it is fork-tender. Avoid adding oil to the pan because it can lend to a more savory taste, instead use 1 Tbsp of water, if needed, to steam the vegetable.

Is Zucchini Crisp a Fall Dessert?

Zucchini are in season between May and August, but you can find them in your grocery store all year round. I think that this is a wonderful winter and spring dessert, because of zucchini’s constant availability and low price. Winter produce can be a bit pricey, but zucchini is always a great deal. Regardless of the abundance of zucchini in the garden, you are likely to find that zucchini is inexpensive all year round.

Apple crisp is generally thought of as a fall dessert, but I think we should start a year-round mock apple crisp movement. Zucchinis are super versatile. When you have zucchini on hand you can make anything sweet or savory. Side dishes, dinners, breads, and desserts can all be made from zucchini. It’s my desert island ingredient. And this crisp definitely deserves a spot at the table all year round.

Other Interesting Facts about Zucchinis Vs Apples

I love apples. I have nothing against apples, but I do think that generally, it is easier for me to consume more fruits than veggies. And I find it fun to find foods that taste just as good while being a bit healthier than the traditional route.

Did you know that Zucchini has:

• 3x less sugar than apples
• 3x less carbs than apples
• 67% less calories than a serving of apple
• and 289% more calcium than an apple

Interested in learning more about zucchini’s nutritional values? Check out more zucchini vs apple nutritional facts here.

Can I make Mock Apple Zucchini Crisp Ahead of Time?

Technically, yes you can make it ahead of time, but this is one of those dishes that I think is best eaten right after it comes out of the oven. But you can make this dish up to 2 days beforehand. Just make sure to cover the crisp tightly and store the crisp in the refrigerator for best results and flavor. I find that it keeps best when it’s stored in the fridge, although you could leave it out on the countertop as well.

How To Serve Mock Apple Crisp with Zucchini

You can’t go wrong with Mock Apple Crisp with Zucchini. I suggest serving your crisp in bowls so that you can easily add additional ice cream or whipped cream on top. You can eat this cinnamon-spiced-buttery dessert all by itself, but my preference is to top it off with a decadent dollop of homemade whipped cream. I like to add a dash of cinnamon on top of my whipped cream too.

Vanilla Ice cream is another classic stand-by. I can’t think of anything better than melty ice cream cascading down the sides the warm oats and gooey cinnamon filling. Excuse me while I run for seconds (okay…thirds).