Soft and sweet cinnamon apples with an oat crumble topping make this apple crumble with oats a comforting and warming dessert that the whole family will love and it's lighter than most desserts too! Healthy apple crumble, that still has all the flavour, but a crumble mix with oats.
Deliciously sweet apples mixed with some cinnamon and topped with a crispy crumble with oats. Forget traditional crumble topping - this apple crumble with oats has a lovely crunch to it and makes it a healthy crumble topping. It is also vegan and gluten free too!
The perfect comforting dessert on a cool day. Whilst we used apples, you could swap them for pears, or use a mixture of both. But this is a great way to use upoat a lots of apples.
If you are looking for some more apple recipes to try, then why not try our simple Apple Turnovers, delicious Healthy Apple Pie or, for a different breakfast, our Apple Cinnamon Pancakes. Also try our amazing Apple and Blackberry Crumble.
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Why You Will Love It
- Healthy comfort food - This oat apple crumble is total comfort food, but made a little bit lighter.
- Just 179 calories a portion - A filling portion for less calories than a more traditional apple crumble.
- Easy to freeze the leftovers - This stores well so make a big batch and freeze for quick and easy desserts.
- Can be done with pear instead of apples or a mixture - This is versatile and different fruit can be used.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Apples - The star of the dish. We like to use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, but you really could use any apple.
- Cinnamon - Apple and cinnamon is such a classic combination. You could swap the cinnamon for nutmeg or ginger, or even a mixture of all three.
- Brown sugar - You might not expect to see sugar in a "healthy" recipe, but it really does add so much flavour and we have only used 1.5 tablespoons.
- Oats - Although crumble topping isn't usually made with oats, we find it gives it such a nice texture and gives it a fibre boost too. We use rolled oats. Don't use the quick cook porridge oats, because they will become mushy and don't use jumbo oats as they will still be too chewy.
- Maple syrup - We used this instead of sugar for the topping as it has lots of flavour, so you can use less of it. You can use Sweet Freedom to keep it sweetened with just fruit.
- Coconut oil - This is used instead of butter in the topping. Don't worry, it doesn't give it a coconut flavour. You could use butter if you prefer, and it will give a more golden colour to the apples.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Apple Crumble with Oats - Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, add the oats, maple syrup and 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil.
- Step 2: Mix everything together.
- Step 3: Chop the apples into small cubes.
- Step 4: Add the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil to a large pan and melt. Add the apples and gently cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 5: Put the sugar and cinnamon into the pan.
- Step 6: Stir and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Step 7: Put the cooked apples into a baking dish and top with the oat mix.
- Step 8: Put into the oven and cook for 20 minutes.
Healthy Apple Crumble
This is a hearty and comforting dessert, that doesn't over-do it on calories and fat either. We are all about the desserts at the moment, and finding ways to make them lighter so they can be more of an every day thing, rather than a once in a while thing.
We have used a little bit of brown sugar and maple syrup to give it some extra sweetness, but not as much as you would usually find in an apple crumble.
Apples are so good this time of year, that we wanted to let the natural sweetness shine through. You could use Sweet Freedom which is made of fruit, so this would all be naturally sweetened.
We have made a crumble topping with oats, which adds some extra fibre and we personally find easier to digest than the flour and butter crumble mixture. If you don't want to make your crumble topping with oats, then you could use a regular crumble topping.
Just 6 ingredients go into making this healthy apple crumble, so you can be sure exactly what has gone into it, compared to buying it in store. And it's only 179 calories per portion too.
Serving Suggestions
Now it comes down to a debate that will turn your dinner table lively - what do you serve with a crumble? Ice cream or custard? We went with a good quality vanilla ice cream, but a good custard is another perfect side to a comforting crumble.
Why not try some vanilla frozen yogurt for a bit more of an indulgent dessert? We also love some caramel sauce drizzled on top.
Looking for a nice hot drink to serve with this apple and pear crumble? Why not try a Vegan Eggnog, Chai Tea Latte, Cinnamon Coffee or Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate?
Storage
Store: We hardly ever have any leftovers of this apple crumble recipe with oats, as we can happily eat double portions. But if so, it will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.
Freeze: You could freeze it in containers, but the oats would go a little soggy once defrosted. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost: Defrost in the fridge overnight, or in the microwave until fully defrosted.
Reheat: You can put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes to reheat, or put it in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
Extra Tips
- Serve with either custard, yogurt, ice cream or frozen yogurt.
- You could swap the apples for pears, or use a mixture of them both to make this crumble.
- Add some ginger and nutmeg for some extra seasonal flavours.
- For an extra crispy top, sprinkle on some demerara sugar before it goes in the oven.
- You can add some crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts to the oat crumble topping too for some extra crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
If you want a really crunchy topping, then sprinkle Demerara sugar over the topping before going into the oven, then your crumble should be much crunchier.
If you have used too much coconut oil to cook the apples in, then it will become soggy.
This will bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. The apple layer should be bubbling and the surface of the oaty crumble should be an even medium golden brown (you don't want it too dark). If you are using a shallower, slightly larger baking dish than we have, then watch it closely, as the crumble may be done in 5 less.
If you use gluten free certified oats, and make sure there is no cross contamination, then is can be a gluten free crumble.
More Crumble Recipes
If you’ve tried this apple crumble recipe with oats, 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 Crumble with Oats
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) Apple - peeled, cored and roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1.5 tablespoon Light brown sugar
- 100 g (1.25 cups) Oats
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon Coconut oil - melted; for the crumble
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil - melted; for the apples
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Mix together 100 g Oats, 1 tablespoon Maple syrup and 2 tablespoon Coconut oil.
- Add 1 tablespoon Coconut oil to a pan and melt. Add 400 g Apple and gently cook for 5 minutes until softened. Put 1.5 tablespoon Light brown sugar and 1 teaspoon Cinnamon into the pan, stir and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Put the cooked apples into a baking dish and top with the oat mix.
- Put into the oven for 20 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Serve with either custard, yogurt, ice cream or frozen yogurt.
- You could swap the apples for pears, or use a mixture of them both to make this crumble.
- Add some ginger and nutmeg for some extra seasonal flavours.
- For an extra crispy top, sprinkle on some demerara sugar before it goes in the oven.
- You can add some crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts to the oat crumble topping too for some extra crunch.
- To ensure this recipe is definitely gluten free, use oats that are certified gluten free.
Nutritional Information
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.
Dani says
Ooh this looks so yummy!
Could definitely be eating this for dessert tonight :)
Dani x
Laura ~ RYG says
I think you nailed it with the pie comment, how they are good on occasion but because they're loaded in calories and fat we can't do that everyday! So I love this concept. We can still indulge and quite honestly get all the flavors without my butt getting bigger. Thanks. I'm making this for my neighborhood block party next week, we are all to bring a dish to pass that has an apple theme. This is perfect.
Liz Mays says
This sounds like such a treat. I'm definitely in the mood for cinnamon and apple flavors. This would be perfect.
stephanie says
It's the perfect time of year for apple crumble! I may have to make this at the weekend - thanks for sharing x
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
You can't beat a crumble in the autumn. The topping is the best bit!
Nikki says
Apple crumble is a firm favourite of my mum. I will need to show her this recipe!
Linda Davenport says
I just bought loads of apples, so I know what I'm going to do with some of them now.
This post is good timing too, as we are moving house next month and will be treating ourselves to all new kitchen stuff. Pans are the top of the list!
Tanya says
We make this for after dinner tonight and I had to come back and tell you how delicious it was. We had it with chocolate custard, as that's what the kids wanted, and everyone has second. We managed to get 8 small portions out of it.
Ola says
This is right up my alley - easy. And what is more, apples are so good this time of year.
Ola@ JadoreLeDecor
francesca says
Oh my word this looks incred!!! Oaty apply crumble seems perfect!!!!
Tara Pittman says
I have lots of apples to use. My family would love this dessert.
Miracle Max says
A good old classic that will never get boring in my eyes. Although I'm not a fan of cinnamon so I always leave that out myself. Jo x
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Who doesn't love a good crumble? This looks autumnal, beautiful and delicious!
Aish Padihari says
Looks super delicious and I love anything that's crumbly. Right time to make this dish.
Brandy says
Looks delicious - it's the perfect season to start cranking out apple anything!