Soft and sweet cinnamon apples combined with a crispy oat topping make this Oaty Apple Crumble 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.
Deliciously sweet apples mixed with some cinnamon and topped with a crispy oat topping. Forget traditional crumble topping - this apple crumble with oats has a lovely crunch to it and makes it a Healthy Apple Crumble. 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 up lots of apples.
If you are looking for some more apple recipes to try, then why not try our Apple Turnovers, Healthy Apple Pie or Apple Cinnamon Pancakes.
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Ingredients needed
- 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.
- 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.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make oaty apple crumble - Step by step
One: Mix together the oats, maple syrup and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
Two: Add one tablespoon of coconut oil to a pan and melt. Add the apples and gently cook for 5 minutes until softened. Put the sugar and cinnamon in the pan, stir and cook for a further 2 minutes.
Three: Put the cooked apples in a baking dish.
Four: Top with the oat mix.
Five: Put in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6.
Six: After 20 minutes, remove from the oven.
Take a look at our web story for a quick how-to on how to make this Oaty Apple Crumble.
Why should you try it?
- Healthy comfort food - This is total comfort food, but made a little bit lighter.
- Just 177 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.
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.
Just 6 ingredients go in to making this healthy apple crumble, so you can be sure exactly what has gone in to it, compared to buying it in store. And it's only 177 calories per portion too.
Health benefits of apples
They are a good source of fibre, potassium and vitamin C and K. Apples have also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. One reason for this may be that apples contain soluble fibre, and this can help lower your blood cholesterol levels.
Apples also contain polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects. However, many of these are in the peel, so if you peel the apples they they won't have the same benefits.
What to serve with a healthy apple crumble
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?
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, 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.
FAQs
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.
No, there is no need to cover it.
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.
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Recipe
Oaty Apple Crumble
Ingredients
- 400 g apples peeled, cored and roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1.5 tablespoon brown sugar
- 100 g oats
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon Coconut oil melted
Instructions
- Mix together the oats, maple syrup and 2 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Add one tablespoon of coconut oil to a pan and melt. Add the apples and gently cook for 5 minutes until softened. Put the sugar and cinnamon in the pan, stir and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Put the cooked apples in a baking dish.
- Top with the oat mix.
- Put in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F for 20 minutes.
Notes
- Serve with either custard, yogurt, ice cream or frozen yogurt.
- You can also make this in the microwave - head over to our Instagram Page to see how.
- You could swap the apples for pears, or use a mixture of them both to make this crumble.
Llinos Vincent
Really lovely! Thank you. Made it with 400g of frozen cherries as we didn't have any apples. The rest of the family loved it too.
Dannii
Oooh yum! Love a cherry crumble. So glad you all enjoyed it.
Anushree
My oats weren’t crispy, any tips on what went wrong and how I can fix it?
Dannii
They should have been a little crispy, as cooked oats will crisp up. They will never be super crispy, like a traditional crisp, as this is a healthier version. However, if you do want them really crispy, you can give them a sprinkle of sugar before they go in the oven.
Hayden
Can I use quick oats? And what substitution can I use for coconut oil? I don't mind using butter although it won't be as healthy. If not, I have corn oil, will that work? Thank you :)
Dannii
Yes, quick cook oats and butter will work fine.
Anushree
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
Dannii
Yes, no reason why not.
marie johson
This recipe is simple and healthy. Its on my list now. Can't wait to try this recipe. thanks for sharing :)
Jenny
Good recipe but no way would it serve 6! Two at a push.
Dannii
This would definitely be way too much for us for 2 people. But we all eat different portion sizes, so feel free to adjust the portion size, however that would change the nutritional info.
We are a healthy recipe blog, so sensible portion sizes are key :)
Tanja Vinge
This is a great healthier version of one of our favourite desserts.
Served with Greek yogurt it could even be used for breakfast or brunch.
This version will be our preferred choice in the future. I added a lot more cinnamon, but I do that to all recipes requiring cinnamon.
My 12 year old daughter also gave this version thumbs up and she can be rather hard to please, as she loves sugar.
Dannii
So glad you all enjoyed it!
Kathy
It’s amazing to think that back then, all of us just starting out, and that we had NO IDEA the adventures ahead of us. Couldn’t even have imagined, right? I adore watching the success you’ve had and the path that you’ve made… while staying true to your heart. Which is why I know this project will be a success – it’s not a gimmick, a show, a marketing idea. This is so you, sharing your passion in a way to truly change the lives of others. You, are so great.
Dannii
Thanks so much Kathy!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Aple crumble is the ultimate comfort food. One of my favourite desserts, this looks so tasty.
Sabrina
This sounds so perfect! It really couldn't be any easier to make.
kim
This recipe is so delicious and it's so easy! Love it!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
I love a hearty pudding in the winter months, and apple crumble is such a classic favourite. This is a great recipe with the added oats, for a lovely and different consistancy.
Danielle Wolter
i juts love oats in my apple crumble. it adds such a great texture. great idea to use maple syrup as well, sound delish :-)
Chris Collins
I've got the ingredients on hand and can't wait to try this tomorrow morning! Yum!
Yaya
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I have a massive sweet tooth and am no good at making healthy autumn/winter dessert options. Great option.
Harriet from Toby & Roo
Apple crumble is a fave at this time of year - I LOVE oath apple crumble too!
Olivia Thristan
This looks so good, and I also really want the dish that you served it in! :D x
melissa major
O wow this looks lovely! I love any food with apples in it :)
Georgia
Oh god I need to eat this write now!!! I've just discovered, after many years being allergic to apples, that I can eat them cooked! This has meant I'm super obsessed with pies, strudels and crumbles! The oatey crumble is making me salivate as I write this! I'm saving this for sure! X
The London Mum
Yum. Apple crumble is one of my fave things this time of the year.
Rita
This is a great recipe. Very healthy ingredients. It looks delicious and simple too. Will give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
Rita
Rachel
Oooh, I love a good apple crumble. This looks absolutely delicious! xo