The Best Healthy Apple Crumble (Naturally Sweetened)

Hi, I’m Hannah! For me, the official scent of the holiday season isn’t pine needles or peppermint—it’s the aroma of warm apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. Growing up, apple crumble was a staple at every fall gathering. I loved the jammy, sweet apples and the buttery, crunchy topping. As I started building my own ‘good habits’ around food, I didn’t want to lose that nostalgic joy. I wanted to create a version that delivered all the cozy comfort of the classic, but was made with wholesome, nourishing ingredients. This Healthy Apple Crumble is my love letter to that memory. It’s naturally sweetened, packed with fiber, and proves that you can absolutely have dessert and feel amazing, too.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Apple Crumble

• Naturally Sweetened: We skip the refined sugar and use pure maple syrup to sweeten the apples, letting their natural flavor shine.
• Wholesome & Hearty: The crumble topping is made with rolled oats and almond flour, providing satisfying fiber and a wonderfully nutty flavor.
• Incredibly Easy: This is one of the most forgiving desserts you can make! It’s perfect for beginner bakers and comes together with minimal effort.
• The Perfect Holiday Dessert: It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels special enough for the Thanksgiving table but is healthy enough to enjoy any night of the week.

Key Ingredients for a Better Healthy Apple Crumble

Here are the simple, wholesome ingredients we use to build this incredible dessert.

• Apples: The star of the show! Use a firm, crisp baking apple that holds its shape, like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Granny Smith (for a more tart flavor).
• Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice. It adds a wonderful, complex sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon. Make sure you use 100% pure maple syrup.
• Lemon Juice: A little acidity is crucial. It brightens the flavor of the apples and prevents them from browning as you prep.
• Spices: A classic, cozy combination of cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg is all you need to create that signature warm, holiday scent.
• Rolled Oats: These form the base of our hearty crumble topping. Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best chewy, rustic texture.
• Almond Flour: My secret to a tender, flavorful crumble that’s also gluten-free. It provides a wonderful nutty flavor and richness.
• Coconut Oil or Ghee: We use this in place of butter to bind the topping together and help it get golden and crispy in the oven.

How to Make a Healthy Apple Crumble (Step-by-Step)

This dessert is wonderfully simple to assemble. Here’s the overview. The full, detailed recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

1. Prep the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss your sliced apples with maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It will already start to smell amazing! Pour this mixture into your baking dish.
2. Make the Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, a pinch of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the melted coconut oil (or ghee) and mix with a fork until clumps form and the mixture resembles wet sand.
3. Assemble and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples in the baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven until the topping is a deep golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling up around the edges. The aroma that fills your kitchen is your reward!
4. Rest and Serve: Let the crumble cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the jammy apple filling to set up properly. Serve warm, on its own or with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or yogurt.

Tips for a Perfect Healthy Apple Crumble Every Time

• Don’t Slice Apples Too Thin: Aim for apple slices that are about 1/4-inch thick. If they’re too thin, they can turn to mush during baking. We want them to be tender but still hold their shape.
• Embrace the Clumps: When making the topping, don’t overmix. You want a variety of textures, from sandy bits to larger oat clusters. These larger clumps will get extra crispy and are the best part!
• Bake on a Sheet Pan: Place your baking dish on a larger, rimmed baking sheet before putting it in the oven. This is a great habit that catches any potential drips from the bubbling fruit filling, saving you from a smoky oven and a tough cleanup job.
• Let It Rest: I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but letting your Healthy Apple Crumble rest is crucial. It allows the juices in the filling to thicken into a beautiful, syrupy sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I make this apple crumble ahead of time?
  Yes! You can assemble the entire crumble a day in advance. Just cover it and store it in the refrigerator. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time when baking from cold.
• Is this recipe gluten-free?
  Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free rolled oats, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
• What other fruits can I use?
  This crumble recipe is very versatile! It works beautifully with a mix of apples and pears in the fall, or with berries or peaches in the summer. Adjust the sweetener as needed based on the sweetness of your fruit.
• How do I store leftovers?
  Store any leftover apple crumble covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It’s delicious cold, but you can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to crisp up the topping again.

More Healthy Holiday Recipes You’ll Lov

• Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (A Healthy Thanksgiving Side)
• The Best Healthy Tuscan Chicken

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The Best Healthy Apple Crumble Recipe

Healthy Apple Crumble you will ever make! It's naturally sweetened with maple syrup and has a delicious gluten-free oat and almond flour topping. The perfect cozy and easy dessert for Thanksgiving.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings 6

Calories 161 kcal

Equipment

• 8×8 inch or 9-inch Round Baking Dish
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Medium Mixing Bowl
• Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs baking apples about 5-6 medium, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch optional, for a thicker filling
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats use certified GF if needed
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar or pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil or ghee

Instructions

 

• Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 inch or 9-inch round baking dish.
• Make the Filling: In a large bowl, add the sliced apples, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and arrowroot/cornstarch (if using). Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated. Pour the apple mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
• Make the Topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, almond flour, optional nuts, coconut sugar/maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted coconut oil or ghee. Use a fork to mix until the mixture is crumbly and no dry spots remain.
• Assemble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish.
• Bake: Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is deep golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges.
• Cool & Serve: Remove from the oven and let the crumble cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set. Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or ice cream if desired.