A classic apple crumble with a twist. Why just have apples when you can have cherries too. This Apple and Cherry Crumble is a comforting dessert that is easy to make for a crowd and is a little bit lighter thanks to our oaty topping and being lower in added sugar.
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I have such happy memories of apple crumble, as it's the only dessert we used to eat when I was a child. We weren't really big on dessert in our house and it was saved for a Sunday after a roast dinner and it was always an apple crumble, occasionally an apple pie.
Now, every time I eat it or see it on a menu I get those same warm feelings in my heart and belly that I did back then. We make it a little differently in our house now, and add in some cherries for colour and extra sweetness.
If you are looking for other crumble recipes, then why not try our Breakfast Crumble, Apple and Plum Crumble, Apple and Pear Crumble or Apple and Blackberry Crumble?
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Why You Will Love It
- A delicious alternative to a classic apple crumble
- Under 300 calories a portion
- Lower in sugar than regular crumble
- Easy to adapt with different fruit
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Apples - We like to use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, but you really could use any apple.
- Cherries - This adds some extra colour and sweetness. You could always use blackberries or blueberries instead.
- Oats and almonds - This is what we use instead of flour for the crumble topping. We find it makes it a little lighter and we love the chewy texture. We used rolled oats and skin on almonds.
- Sweetener - This is what is used instead of regular sugar to sweeten it. You could also use maple syrup or honey.
- Coconut oil - This is used instead of butter in the topping. Don't worry, it doesn't give it a coconut flavour.
- Cinnamon - Apple and cinnamon are the perfect flavour combination. You could use nutmeg or ginger too.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
Step by Step Instructions
One: Peel and chop the apples and pit and chop the cherries.
Two: Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to a large pan and gently heat the apples and cherries for 5 minutes.
Three: Add the sweetener and cinnamon and cook for a further 2 minutes.
Four: Pour the fruit mixture into an oven dish.
Five: Make the crumble mix by putting the almonds and oats into a food processor and blending until a flour consistency. Add the coconut oil and sweetener and blend again.
Six: Crumble the mixture over the fruit and then put the dish in the oven at 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 for 35-40 minutes.
Oat Crumble
Fruit crumble, like this apple cherry crumble is total comfort food, but that doesn't mean it has to be full of calories and fat. With a few little swaps you can save yourself some calories for the ice cream or custard.
Crumble is really all about the topping and instead of using butter and flour, we used ground almonds, oats and a little bit of coconut oil. We then sweetened the crumble (and the fruit filling) with granulated sweetener rather than sugar.
What Other Fruit Can be Used?
I want to make crumble a traditional dessert in my own little family and it's a great way to get kids to try different fruits. You could keep this a classic apple, or even pear, but the cherry really does add so much flavour.
Custard or Ice Cream on Crumble?
Now it comes down to a debate that will turn your dinner table lively - what do you serve this Apple and Cherry Crumble with? Ice cream or custard? We went with ice cream, as we think a good quality vanilla ice cream is the perfect side to a comforting crumble.
But, if you are more of a custard kind of person, then you go for it!
Extra Tips
- If you don't have cherries, you could use blackberries or blueberries instead.
- Add a little more crunch to the topping by adding some chopped up pecans or walnuts.
- We served ours with ice cream, but you can serve it with custard if you want something warmer. Or even a dollop of creme fraiche.
- It's really simple and takes less than 30 minutes to make - you could even prepare it ahead of time and then just throw it in the oven when everyone is ready for dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hardly ever have any leftovers of this, as we can happily eat double portions! But if you do, it will keep in the fridge for two to three days. You could freeze it in containers, but the topping might go a little soggy once defrosted.
When it comes to the best apple for your an apple crumble, we like to use a crisp, tart variety that keeps fairly solid when baking. Something like a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well. You could use a mixture of the two, or Golden Delicious is another good choice.
Yes, with this recipe you do have to soften them in a pan first, this means that they don't have to be in the oven as long.
Yes, you can make the apples and cherries and topping in advance, layer it in your baking dish and then just put it in the oven to crisp up before you are ready to serve it.
You can put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes to reheat, or put it in the oven for 10-15 minutes. If it has been in the freezer, then allow it to fully defrost in the fridge before reheating.
More Dessert Recipes
If you've tried this apple and cherry crumble pie, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Apple and Cherry Crumble
Ingredients
Filling:
- 4 Apple - peeled and chopped
- 200 g (1.5 cups) Fresh cherries - stoned and chopped
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil
- 2 tablespoon Sweetener
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
Crumble:
- 100 g (1 cups) Ground almonds
- 80 g (1 cups) Oats - blended into flour (use certified gluten free oats to ensure this recipe is gluten free)
- 3 tablespoon Coconut oil
- 2 tablespoon Sweetener
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
- Add 1 tablespoon Coconut oil to a large pan and gently heat 4 Apple and 200 g Fresh cherries for 5 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoon Sweetener and 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Pour the fruit mixture into an oven dish.
- Make the crumble mix by putting 100 g Ground almonds and 80 g Oats into a food processor and blending until a flour consistency. Add 3 tablespoon Coconut oil and 2 tablespoon Sweetener and blend again.
- Crumble the mixture over the fruit and then put the dish into the oven for 35-40 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- If you don't have cherries, you could use blackberries or blueberries instead.
- Add a little more crunch to the topping by adding some chopped up pecans or walnuts.
- We served ours with ice cream, but you can serve it with custard if you want something warmer. Or even a dollop of creme fraiche.
- It's really simple and takes less than 30 minutes to make - you could even prepare it ahead of time and then just throw it in the oven when everyone is ready for dessert.
- To ensure this recipe is definitely gluten free, use oats that are certified gluten free.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
I am 100% crazy for a good crumble but, unlike you, I didn't grow up on them. I grew up on chocolate cream pie. Don't think I tried a crumble until after college. But then I was hooked. Obvs!
Rebecca says
It has to be ice cream for me. My nanna always made rhurbard crumble and that will always be my favourite, but I will be giving this a try too.
Deepika@EasyBabyMeals. says
This looks like an easy and comforting dessert. I can have this anytime.
Anna @AnnaTheApple says
Oh I am an ice cream girl always. I love the hot and cold combo. Custard with crumbled reminds me of school dinners as well - not good!
Rhian Westbury says
I never really liked apple crumble when I was a kid, I used to love the crumble part just not the fruit part, oops. Maybe I need to revisit it x
Ladies Pass It On says
Oh I adore a good crumble and this one has me drooling!!! Looks so yum!
Old Fashioned Susie says
I love crumbles!! Such a big comfort food- I love mine with alpro custard
Nina Chin says
I love apple crumble but would have never paired it with cherries. Will definitely have to give this a go x
Isabelle says
We weren't really in to dessert when I was growing up either, but there was always a crumble on the table on a Sunday. Happy memories.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I love crumble, but I've not made it for a while. We don't have dessert often. My little boy always does, but he usually has some greek yoghurt, which is his favourite. I must make this on a Sunday sometime instead of my usual rhubarb or apple.
Sarah says
As a runner, I think this crumble would make excellent running fuel for me! Thanks for the recipe guys, Sarah x
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
This is definitely something my family will love! Bookmarking this!
Amanda | Chew Town says
I do love cherries, and your use of it in an apple pie turns something already delicious into something absolutely spectacular.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
This sounds so delicious. And since I love apples and cherries it sounds to me like the perfect combination. This would be great served up anytime.
Diana says
That apple crumble looks so delicious, especially with the ice cream!