Name: Best Healthy Apple Crumble
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 - 5 red apples ((Honey Crisp or Pink Lady are my favorite)); 2 Granny Smith apples; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice; ½ tsp lemon zest; 2 Tbsp tapioca flour (or arrowroot starch); 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free certified); ⅓ cup oat flour (or white whole wheat, all-purpose flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour); ½ cup walnuts or pecans (chopped); ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; ¼ cup melted coconut oil; 1 tsp real vanilla extract

This healthy apple crumble is the perfect sweet and healthy Fall dessert! It’s sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a crunchy gluten-free oatmeal walnut crisp. This is the BEST classic apple crisp!

The best healthy apple crumble crisp ever!

I love apple pie season, but let's be honest, apple pies take a lot of work to make. Don't get me wrong, they are so delicious, and I love pie, but I don't have time to make homemade pie crust every time I am craving an apple dessert. So say hello to this cozy, comforting, and super easy apple crumble recipe. It tastes like apple pie but is thrown together in one dish and prepared in under 10 minutes.

This healthy apple crumble is hands down my favorite Fall dessert! It is outrageously delicious, has a super sweet and warm cinnamon apple filling, and the buttery 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 and no white sugar. You'll feel great after having a bowl or two of this apple crumble. Plus, it is vegan and 100% gluten-free!

Every time I make this easy apple crisp, I have at least two or three bowls. It's light, cozy, sweet, and guilt-free since it's made with healthy ingredients and without refined sugars. I cannot wait to hear what you think about this top-raked healthy apple crumble recipe.

Why you'll love this gluten-free recipe:

Quick & Easy: This healthy apple crumble takes 10 minutes to prep.
Refined Sugar-Free: It's only sweetened with maple syrup; there is NO refined sugar!
Vegan: This yummy fall dessert is 100% plant-based and vegan.
Apple Season: The perfect way to use up fall apples.
Gluten-Free: The buttery oatmeal crumble on top is gluten-free.
Sweet Cinnamon Apple Filling: The apple filling is sweet, gooey, and cinnamony.
Holiday Treat: Great for the Holidays and Thanksgiving.
Healthier Apple Crumble: This apple crumble is dairy-free and healthy.
Try this healthy apple blueberry crumble or these air fryer apples next for another delicious Fall dessert!

healthy apple crumble in a small bowl with vanilla ice cream

Ingredients & substitution suggestions

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:

The cinnamon 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!
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!

The buttery oat crumble topping:

Rolled Oats: This makes the crumble on top crunchy and crisp. You can substitute with quick oats but don't use steel-cut oats.
Flour: You can use oat flour, 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. Substituting maple syrup with honey should work perfectly!
Coconut Oil: To make the crumble melt in your mouth and also dairy-free. You can use melted butter or vegan butter too!
Vanilla Extract: My secret ingredient to making the crumble topping extra flavorful and taste like an apple pie!

Kitchen tools needed

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: ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, ¼ cup, ½ cup, and 1 cup.

all ingredients in small bowls with labels

How to make 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 9x9" 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.

oatmeal walnut crumble topping in mixing bowl

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!

Baking tips for the perfect apple crumble:

Don't skip out on the starch. You can use tapioca flour, arrowroot powder, or cornstarch for this recipe. It helps make the apple filling super gooey and soaks up the excess liquid from the apples as they bake.
Peeling your apples: I prefer peeling my apples because I find the skin to be a little chewy. However, you can leave it on if you prefer.
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!
Customize the oat crumble topping. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the topping. You can add chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts for extra crunch. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of salt can also enhance the flavor profile.
Make it nut-free. If you have a nut allergy, leave off the walnuts to make this healthy apple crisp nut free.
Make it ahead of time. You can make this apple crumble up to two days in advance if you plan on serving it at a party or event. I left instructions below!

healthy apple crisp with oat crumble on top

Reasons why this apple crumble is healthy:

This apple crisp is so delicious you would never know it is only made from healthy and gluten-free ingredients. Here are five reasons why this homemade apple crumble is healthy:

Lower sugar: This recipe has less sugar than traditional apple crumble recipes. We use maple syrup to sweeten the crisp, which makes it refined sugar-free.
Natural ingredients: The recipe uses natural ingredients, such as fresh apples, rolled oats, maple syrup, and lemon juice. These ingredients are considered healthier alternatives to processed or refined options.
Whole grains: The rolled oats and oat flour add whole grains to the recipe. Whole grains are higher in fiber and nutrients compared to refined grains.
Gluten-free and vegan option: Use gluten-free certified rolled oats and coconut oil to make this apple crumble both gluten-free and vegan.
No butter: There is NO BUTTER in this apple crumble.

The taste and texture:

Taste: 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.

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

healthy apple crumble with soft and sweet baked apple slices

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade oat flour?

Store-bought oat flour is denser and more processed. I love using homemade oat flour and recommend you use it as well. It is super easy to make oat flour. Simply add around 3 – 4 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats to a high-speed blender and blend on high for 30 – 90 seconds until it resembles a flour-like consistency. Then measure out ⅓ cup for this recipe.

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!

Is it gluten-free?

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

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.

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).

What's the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

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.

Can you make apple crumble ahead of time?

Yes, you can 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 long does apple crumble last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, apple crumble can last for 3-5 days.

Can you freeze apple crumble?

No. I have tried this many times, but apple crumble doesn't freeze well - the apples will change texture, and the crumble will dry out.

How to store and reheat apple crumble:

Storing: If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for 3 - 5 days. Make sure to cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Reheating: You can reheat apple crumble in the oven or microwave. I recommend the oven for the best results. Place the original baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until it's warm and the topping is crisp.

healthy apple crumble with ice cream on top

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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!

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5 from 14 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Best Healthy Apple Crumble