Healthy apple crumble

This healthy apple crumble is a modern twist on the classic dessert

There is nothing quite like the aroma of fresh apple crumble baking in the oven. Our apple crumble recipe is a more wholesome take on the family favourite, with all the flavour, warmth and comfort the dessert is known for. 

Traditionally, apple desserts call for tart apple varieties, such as Pink Lady and Granny Smith, simmered in sugar to counter the sour flavour. It’s then loaded with flour, butter and more sugar. Our healthy apple crumble recipe uses Red Gala, a naturally sweeter apple, which is baked with a crumble topping using oats, plus almond meal instead of flour. The topping is flavoured with sugar-free maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon, which provides all the spiced sweetness synonymous with the beloved apple crumble. 

What makes the perfect apple crumble?

The best apple crumble should have a luscious, soft apple filling and a crunchy, slightly chewy topping. And while you may be tempted to pile on extra topping, it may result in a topping that is too dense and will lose its crunchiness. Another important step to making a warming apple crumble is to allow it to cool slightly, so the juices can set. You can also pre-cook and then reheat this sweet treat if you want to make it ahead of time.

Key ingredients that make this apple crumble healthy and delicious

We love a baked dessert that not only tastes great but is also good for you. From almond meal to maple syrup that’s free from sugar, the ingredients in our apple crumble are super wholesome. Add a sprinkle of nutmeg or ginger to spice it up, or swap out half the apple for similarly sweet fruit like pear or apricot if you prefer.

Added to this healthy recipe’s list of ingredients are oats, which are considered one of the healthiest grains and are high in fibre and antioxidants. Rolled oats are best for this crumble, as instant oats will get too soft and steel-cut oats won’t get soft enough. Nutrient-rich pecans add a rich, buttery, almost floral flavour to the mix.

We use dairy-free Nuttelex, which has 70 per cent less saturated fat than butter but tastes surprisingly like butter and makes a fantastic substitute in desserts. Use cold to avoid the crumble sticking together.

And, of course, the star of this healthy apple crumble has got to be the Royal Gala apples. Packed full of fibre and vitamin C, they offer enough sweetness to this irresistible dessert. Discover the versatility of apples – equally at home in salads, stir-fries, slices, cakes and pies – with our extensive collection of apple recipes for more inspiration. 

Serving suggestions for apple crumble: it doesn’t have to be ice cream!

Some equally creamy alternatives to ice cream include vanilla frozen yoghurt, which will contrast beautifully with the hot juicy apple. You could also add a dollop of reduced-fat French vanilla yoghurt, dairy-free whipped cream or vanilla bean coconut yoghurt. For drink pairings, try chai or cinnamon coffee.