Over spring break during my freshman year of college, my dad and I flew to Arizona to visit my aunt and spend a few days attending Major League Baseball’s Spring Training games. We stayed at her house in the Phoenix suburbs, a small one-story home with every room painted a different color (including her lavender bedroom and crimson office!) located less than an hour away from all of the stadiums.
My aunt loved company, and we quickly fell into a routine during our vacation. Each morning, we scheduled in time for exercise, which resulted in a hike up and over one of the local mountains on our first full day and a trip to her favorite gym on another. In the afternoons, Dad and I drove to watch baseball games while my aunt played with her dogs and took care of chores around the house.
Because my aunt knew about my healthy eating habits, she also spent a large portion of those afternoons cooking nutritious dinners for us to enjoy after returning from the stadiums. She prepared stuffed bell peppers one evening, full of brown rice and extra lean ground beef, and oven-baked buttermilk “fried” chicken another night, irresistibly seasoned and coated with crunchy cornflakes.
For dessert (because I definitely inherited my sweet tooth from both sides of my family!), she baked whole wheat chocolate chip cookies and an apple crumble. We saved the slightly more portable cookies as treats to take with us to the baseball games and on the airplane flight back home, but that crumble…
I ate two servings almost every night and snuck a forkful nearly every time I walked through the kitchen! With its cozy spices, perfectly tender fruit, and sweet streusel topping, it immediately became my kryptonite, and I basically hoarded the entire pan. Thank goodness she baked so many cookies — Dad didn’t seem to notice!
My aunt passed away a little over a year later after battling breast cancer for the fourth time, so every time I see or eat a slice of apple crisp, I think of her.
So eventually, after lots of testing, I finally perfected this recipe for The Ultimate Healthy Apple Crumble in honor of her. It’s simple to make and requires just a handful of common, everyday ingredients.
With its warm cinnamon flavors and irresistible oat streusel, I even think she would agree it tastes better than the original one she baked many years ago. At least… That’s what both of my parents told me after eating two servings each!
APPLE CRISP OR APPLE CRUMBLE?
Because people often tend to ask… “Apple crisp” and “apple crumble” are two different names for the same dessert! They consist of really tender, deliciously sweet apples covered with an oat streusel (or “crumble!”) topping. Not to be confused with an apple cobbler… Which has a biscuit-like topping instead.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HEALTHY APPLE CRISP
So now with that out of the way… What exactly makes this healthy apple crumble absolutely irresistible?
The apples, for starters! Because the filling contains no added sugar, I always choose the sweeter varieties of firm red apples, and Fuji apples are my absolute favorite. Gala and Braeburn apples would work as well. If you prefer a tarter flavor, then you can substitute up to two cups of diced Granny Smiths for the equivalent amount of red apple, but I’d recommend against more than that since you aren’t adding any sweetener to the filling.
To help the fruit soften faster, you’ll chop the apples fairly finely, about the size of blueberries. I know it takes a little extra time and effort, but I promise it’s worth it! You’ll also mix them with some cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. The nutmeg adds a subtle yet irresistible depth to the spice flavors in this healthy apple crumble, and the cornstarch thickens the juices that the apples release while baking.
Tip: I highly recommend Saigon cinnamon! It tastes a bit stronger, sweeter, and richer compared to regular cinnamon. It’s basically the only kind I now use in my baking, and I usually buy it online here!
Is the oat streusel your favorite part too?? That sweet, crunchy, cinnamon-spiced topping… It gets me every time! I always save the slice with the most streusel for myself… And I often pick a few pieces off of the surrounding slices too. No healthy apple crisp is safe with my fork around!
This streusel is incredibly easy to make! You’ll combine old-fashioned rolled oats, whole wheat flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Then it’s time for my secret trick! Instead of traditional recipe instructions that often direct you to cut cold butter into the mixture… You’ll mix in melted butter! It’s so much simpler and takes less than ¼ of the time. Easy peasy!
Tip: If you prefer, I’ve included how to make this healthy apple crisp gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan in the Notes section of the recipe!
To sweeten the streusel for this healthy apple crumble, you’ll also mix in a touch of pure maple syrup. Make sure you use the real kind! Skip the pancake syrups and sugar-free syrups; those generally behave differently in baking recipes. The only ingredient on the label should be “maple syrup,” and it often comes in thin glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this!).
Then after a trip to the oven…
Your entire kitchen will smell like fall! Cozy, comforting, cinnamon-spiced… And oh so delicious! And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I’d love to see your ultimate healthy apple crisp!
The Ultimate Healthy Apple Crumble
Ingredients
FOR THE STREUSEL
- ¾ cup (75g) old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if necessary and measured like this)
- ¼ cup (30g) whole wheat flour or gluten-free* flour (measured like this – and see Notes!)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp (30mL) pure maple syrup (room temperature)
- 1 ½ tbsp (21g) unsalted butter, melted
FOR THE FILLING
- 6 cups (767g) diced red apple (see Notes!)
- 2 tbsp (16g) cornstarch
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- To prepare the streusel topping, whisk together the oats, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour in the maple syrup and melted butter. Stir until fully incorporated.
- To prepare the filling, toss the apples with the cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until completely coated.
- Transfer the filling to the prepared pan, and gently press down with a spatula. Sprinkle evenly with the topping. (The topping tends to clump a lot, so break it up into really small pieces, about the size of miniature chocolate chips, to ensure it covers the apples.) Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until the apples are fork tender. Cool completely to room temperature; then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving to allow the juices to fully thicken.
Notes
View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡ The Ultimate Healthy Apple Pie
♡ The Ultimate Healthy Blueberry Crumble
♡ Healthy Blueberry Apple Crumble
♡ Healthy Cranberry Apple Crumble
♡ Healthy Slow Cooker Gingerbread Apple Crumble
♡ Healthy Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling
♡ Healthy Apple Pie Snickerdoodles
♡ Healthy Apple Pie Scones
♡ Healthy Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
♡ Healthy Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies
I’m so sorry about your Aunt, but I think it’s so beautiful and sweet that you think of her when you eat apple crumble! <3 It's the perfect month to think of her too. 🙂 I've been craving apple crumble, so I'm in love with this recipe!!!
Thank you so much Marina! You’re always such a sweetheart. ❤️
It’s so lovely that this apple crumble reminds you of your aunt, and it sounds like she was a wonderful lady.? This is just perfect for dessert tonight, as I have quite a few apples to use up! As I eat it, I will think of your aunt and how all those happy memories went into the apple crumble – from her originally making it, all the way along to you adapting the final recipe! I think that food tastes even better when so much time, memories, thought and effort has gone into it (just as with all your recipes☺), and of course, apple crumble is a delicious classic! When I occasionally go to stay with my grandparents, the dessert is always either rice pudding, strawberry blancmange in the shape of a bunny rabbit, or apple crumble! So it holds a special place in my heart too!??
You’re such a sweetheart Katie — that means so much to me! Thank you, dear friend! ❤️ I completely agree about food and memories. Your grandparents sound like they had some very special recipes too, and I’m so glad that you have those memories attached to them. Memories somehow seem to make desserts taste even sweeter!
☺Aww, absolutely!❤
This apple crumble sounds so yummy and healthy. I really like how you don’t include tons of sugar – apples are sweet enough! Cooling the crumble is so sensible. I usually eat fruit crumble fresh out of the oven, and it’s a (delicious) mess.
Thanks Elaine! I have to make most of my crumbles at night right before bed so I’m not as tempted to dig into them when they’re still warm. 😉 But there’s something special about putting that delicious “mess” in a bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Just made this! I wish it were just a little sweeter, I’ll probaby add some splenda to the filling and crumble. It was yummy topped with cool whip!
I’m glad you enjoyed the crumble Amal! 🙂
Hi Amy,
Making this tonight for christmas dinner! Do the apples need to be peeled?
You’re so sweet to include my recipe as part of your Christmas dinner — I’m truly honored Kayla! I don’t peel the apples because I like their texture (and I’m lazy!), but whether you peel them is entirely up to you. The crumble will turn out both ways! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of the crumble!
I have this in the oven right now. I was so excited to try this. I don’t even have time to write a review but I’m not happy to read as I’m making it that it needs to be stored in the refrigerator for 3 hours. I’m making this for a group of people in an hour. Would you put like the prep time and the baking time available. That’s huge thing to know when preparing a dish. I’m sorry but I’m really not happy about it. I have tried the recipe yet but I bet it’s good but I don’t think I’ll ever try one of your recipes again because you don’t put one of the most important details up front. Why would you put it in the middle of the directions. Oh well I’m just going to serve it as is and pray it works out ok.
I appreciate your interest in my recipe, and I’m sure you must be feeling stressed and overwhelmed with your dinner guests arriving so soon. With how much you care about the food you’re preparing for them, I’m sure your dinner is going to be a huge success! 🙂 One of the first things my grandma ever taught me when I was learning to bake as a little girl was that I needed to read the recipe, including all of the instructions, before I began. She emphasized that every time we baked together, so it’s become second nature to me — and I forget that other people didn’t learn to bake with my grandmother! 😉 I will definitely take your suggestion into consideration for my future recipes. I hope you and your guests enjoyed the crumble!
May I ask why no “coconut flour”. I’ve been using the coconut instead of wheat? Thanks
Any let me clarify. I’ve been using coconut flour instead of wheat to cut back on ca carbs. I want to make your apple crisp recipe, but was wondering why you say not to use coconut flour? Thanks DP
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe David! Coconut flour doesn’t work because it’s 2-3x as absorbent compared to any other flour, so it’ll make the topping much too dry. If you’re trying to cut back on carbs, almond flour would be a much better substitute. 🙂 I’d love to hear what you think if you try this apple crumble!
I’m British and take things like crumble ridiculously seriously…! I thought this was delicious. Not a classic crumble but a yummy, healthy variant. And being the rebel I am, ate it after only a brief cooling period. On the sofa, by candlelight – possibly the most comforting Sunday night imaginable – pure hygge!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the crumble! That means a lot to me, especially since you take crumble so seriously! 🙂
Thank you for this recipe. I love the story behind it, too. My husband asked for apple crisp for dessert during the Super Bowl. After looking at many recipes online, I made your apple crumble exactly as written. All four of us really enjoyed it, and no one realized there was no sugar in it. FYI – I used 4 fuji apples and 1 granny smith. I have saved the recipe and will definitely make it again! Best regards.
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the crumble Noreen! That means so much to me that you plan on making it again. I’m honored! 🙂
I can only find gluten free oats in the quick one minute… is there it could still work?
Yes, gluten-free instant oats will work! I’m excited to hear what you think of this crumble! 🙂
This recipe is great thanks! My family is starting to go off sugar for health reasons so this recipe is great ?. Also I’m starting to write a blog with my mum, it would be AMAZING if you could check it out please? It’s made with WordPress and it’s called ‘YOU GARDEN I COOK’ Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed this crumble Eva! Best of luck to you and your mum with your blogging journey! 🙂