Healthy Apple Crumble

Say hello to the best healthy apple crumble that is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a crunchy oatmeal walnut crisp. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a healthy Fall dessert!

The easiest healthy apple crumble

It’s fall which means it’s apple pie and apple crisp season! I am simple in love with all desserts that include apples and cinnamon. So, I am so excited to share this super easy and healthy apple crumble recipe with you guys.

This healthy apple crumble is hands down my favorite Fall dessert! It is outrageously delicious, has a super gooey and sweet apple filling, and the oat crumble on top literally melts in your mouth. But, best of all, it is so easy to make! Seriously, any level baker can do it.

My favorite part about this recipe is that it is only sweetened with maple syrup. There are no refined sugars in it, meaning there is no brown sugar or white sugar. You’ll feel great after having a bowl or two of this apple crumble. Plus, it is vegan!

You must try this recipe if you have apples lying around. It is so good!!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• Healthy apple crumble is quick and easy to make.
• Only sweetened with maple syrup; there is NO refined sugar!
• Yummy fall dessert that is vegan.
• The perfect way to use up fall apples.
• It can be made 100% gluten-free.
• The apple filling is sweet, gooey, and cinnamony.
• Great for the Holidays and Thanksgiving.
• The fall flavors are so warm and cozy.
• This apple crumble is dairy-free and healthy.
• Try this healthy apple blueberry crumble next for another delicious dessert!

The taste and texture

This healthy apple crumble is sweet, full of tender & soft apples, and warmly spiced. This dessert tastes like fall since most of the flavor comes from apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon.

Once baked, the filling is much like an apple pie – it is sweet and gooey. While the oatmeal walnut crumble on top is crunchy and melts in your mouth.

Ingredients needed

This healthy apple crisp calls for basic ingredients. You need rolled oats, apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, and a few others. Trust me when I say that this is the BEST apple crumble you’ll ever eat. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:

Apple filling:

• Apples: You’ll need red and green apples. I love using honey crisp or pink lady apples and granny smith apples. But I am sure any apples you have on hand will work!
• Maple Syrup: For natural sweetness. There is no refined sugar in this healthy apple crumble recipe.
• Lemon: You need lemon juice and lemon zest. This adds the best brightness to this apple crumble and makes it taste like a classic apple pie.
• Tapioca Flour or Arrowroot Starch: This helps thicken the filling and makes it extra gooey and delicious.
• Cinnamon: For all the fall flavors, of course!

Oat Crumble Topping:

• Rolled Oats: This makes the crumble on top crunchy and crisp.
• Flour: You can use white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. All work and make this healthy oat crumble on top so good!
• Nuts: You can use pecans or walnuts. This adds texture and the best flavor. If you are nut-free, leave them off.
• Maple Syrup: This sweetens the crisp on top.
• Coconut Oil: To make the crumble melt in your mouth and also dairy-free.
• Vanilla Extract: My secret ingredient to making the crumble topping extra flavorful and taste like an apple pie!

Kitchen tools required

This healthy apple crumble is so easy to make. Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need:

• 9″x9″ Baking Dish or 9-inch Pie Dish
• 2 Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make the best healthy apple crumble

This healthy apple crumble comes together in four simple steps. It is so easy to make, but let’s walk through the process together. Here are step-by-step directions with pictures for visual reference:

Step 1:

First, preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9″ x9″ baking dish or 9-inch pie dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Step 2:

Then, core, peel, and thinly slice the apples. Then toss them in a large mixing bowl with the maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, tapioca flour, and cinnamon and pour them into the pie pan or baking dish.

Step 3:

In a separate bowl, make the crumble topping by mixing together all the ingredients. Then, sprinkle the oat crumble evenly on top of the apple mixture.

Step 4:

Finally, bake for 40 – 50 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp and the filling is warm and bubbly. If the topping is browning too quickly, cover the pie dish with aluminum foil and continue to bake.

Allow your healthy apple crumble to cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!

Expert baking tips

Don’t skip out on the starch. You can use tapioca flour, arrowroot powder, or cornstarch for this recipe. It helps makes the apple filling super gooey and soaks up the excess liquid from the apples as they bake.

Thinly slice your apples. This ensures an even bake and tender apples. Apple chunks take longer to bake.

Grease your baking dish well. If you don’t grease your baking dish well, the apples may get stuck to the bottom of the dish!

Ingredient substitution suggestions

I love this recipe as is, but if you are out of an ingredient or two, here is a list of the best substitutes. I only recommend making one or two swaps so the original recipe doesn’t change too much!

• Rolled Oats: You can use quick oats, but don’t use steel-cut oats.
• Maple Syrup: Substituting maple syrup with honey should work perfectly!
• Tapioca Flour: You can use arrowroot powder or cornstarch. If you don’t have either of those, try 2 – 3 Tablespoons of whatever flour you are using for the crumble topping.
• Coconut Oil: You can use melted butter or vegan butter too!
• Gluten-Free: You can use gluten-free all-purpose 1:1 baking flour.
• Nut-Free: Leave off the pecans and walnuts.
• Granny Smith Apples: You can use all red apples if needed!

Apple crumble vs. apple crisp

An apple “crisp” and “crumble” are often used interchangeably. Both have crumbly buttery streusel toppings on top of a warm, gooey baked apple filling. This primary difference is that crumbles include flour in the streusel topping, whereas crisps are typically just oats and nuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best apples to use?

The best apples for this apple crumble are Honey Crisp, Gala, Pink Ladies, Jonagold, Jonathan, or McIntosh. But honestly, any type will work!

Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes! Easily make this healthy apple crumble gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and gluten-free certified rolled oats.

Is this apple crumble vegan?

Yes, this healthy apple crumble recipe is 100% vegan since there is no butter and no eggs in the recipe.

What can I substitute maple syrup with?

You can use honey or agave syrup instead of maple syrup.

What makes this apple crumble healthy?

There are many reasons why this apple crumble is healthy. Here are a few: (1) it is full of whole grains from the rolled oats and whole wheat flour, (2) it is low in sugar and is refined sugar-free, meaning there is no brown sugar and no granulated sugar in this recipe, and (3) there is NO BUTTER in this recipe!

Can I make it nut-free?

Yes, to make this apple crumble nut-free, leave off the walnuts or pecans in the crumble topping.

What can I use instead of coconut oil?

Coconut oil can be substituted with butter or dairy-free butter sticks (like Earth Balance Sticks).

How to make ahead:

Easily make this healthy apple crumble ahead of time by preparing it as directed, covering your pan or pie dish with foil, and placing it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to enjoy it, bake the apple crumble as directed and enjoy!

How to store leftovers:

Storing: If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. Make sure to cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Freezing: I have tried this many times, but apple crumble doesn’t freeze well – the apples will change texture, and the crumble will dry out.

If you love this recipe, try these next!

• Apple and Blueberry Crumble
• Healthy Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies
• Gluten-Free Blackberry Cobbler
• Healthy Berry Orange Crisp

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!

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