Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well), peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder (for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter (cold, cut into small pieces)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- In a large bowl, combine the apple slices, coconut sugar, maple syrup, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix well to coat the apples evenly.
- Pour the apple mixture into a greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the cold vegan butter and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling and tender.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Let the apple crumble cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with vegan vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream!
Tips for the Best Vegan Apple Crumble
- Keep the butter cold: When working the vegan butter into the flour mixture, it’s important that the butter stays cold. If it melts too much before baking, the topping may become greasy instead of crisp.
- Use a mix of apples: For more complexity in flavor, use a combination of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith apples hold their shape well during baking, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples provide a sweeter balance.
- Gluten-free option: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
- Customize the topping: For an extra crunch, try adding chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping.
- Reheat leftovers: If you have leftovers, reheat them in the oven to maintain the crispiness of the topping. The microwave tends to soften the crumble too much.
