This healthy apple crumble with maple pecan topping is a wonderful pudding. My kids adore it - especially when served with ice cream. It's hearty, delicious and filling. Suitable for vegans.
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We had an idyllic day trip to an apple picking farm in north Kent last week with Miss R's nursery.
Amidst all the days and days of rain that we've had lately, the nursery somehow picked the one sunny day in the whole week.
While wellies and waterproofs were indeed necessary due to the sheer amount of large muddy puddles, we didn't get rained on.
Miss R only needed her clothes changed once AND we managed a picnic outside.
Apple picking with kids is a lot of fun
It's such a joy to go to these things with a child who actually eats fruit!
R, 4, still won't touch any fruit at all, unless it's served in a cake or crumble form. To see Miss R tucking into an apple that she'd picked straight off the tree made me feel very happy.
Of course we picked far more apples than we really needed, as well as pears and a butternut squash, but I managed to steer her towards the Bramley apples so that we could use most of them in a crumble.
What are Bramley apples?
Bramley apples, or cooking apples, are a variety of apple that is common in Britain. They have a sour taste so are usually cooked before eating.
If you can't find Bramley apples you can use eating apples instead to make this recipe.
How is this healthy apple crumble sweetened?
This recipe is sweetened with just:
- maple syrup, and
- apples.
The first time I made this I wondered if the children would notice the different topping.
However, they didn't seem to notice any difference at all and polished off their portions without a grumble.
How else is this apple crumble healthy?
Apple crumble is a great healthy dessert for many reasons, including:
- the apples provide one of your daily portions of fruit
- added protein, vitamins and minerals from the pecans
- oats in the topping for energy
- free from refined sugar
- antioxidants in the cinnamon
What to serve with apple crumble
This apple crumble is delicious on its own. However, if you want to serve it with something else you could try:
- plain yoghurt
- ice cream
- healthy "nice" cream
- cream (we like Oatly)
- coconut cream
- custard.
To keep this free from refined sugar try plain yoghurt, "nice" cream or cream.
More crumble recipes
If you like this you might like:
- strawberry rhubarb crumble
- apple and cinnamon crumble
- gluten free apricot crumble
- gooseberry crumble bars
- rhubarb muffins with crumble topping
- gooseberry crumble with almonds
- apple and sweet potato crumble
Pin healthy apple crumble for later
How to make healthy apple crumble
If you have made this recipe I would love it if you’d leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!
You will need a food processor* for this recipe.
Healthy apple crumble with maple pecan topping
Ingredients
- 4 large Bramley apples
For the maple pecan topping
- 100 g pecan nuts roughly chopped
- 180 g oats
- 50 g coconut oil
- 100 ml maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C(fan)/200°C/gas mark 6.
- Peel and chop apples. Place in a saucepan with a tablespoon of water (to stop them sticking) and gently heat with the lid on until starting to soften. Stir often.
To make the crumble topping
- Place 100g pecan nuts into your food processor and pulse until broken down. Add 180g oats and pulse again until you have a coarse flour. Stir through 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Place 50g coconut oil into a small saucepan and melt over a low heat. Pour in 100ml maple syrup and mix well.
- Pour the maple syrup mixture over the pecan and oat mixture and stir well.
For the crumble
- Place the softened apples in a medium ovenproof dish. Cover with the crumble topping and spread out evenly. Bake in the centre of the oven for 30 minutes or until crispy and golden brown on top.
Notes
- Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide.
- Serving suggestions are not included in the nutritional information.
Nutrition
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Lucy @ BakingQueen74
Love the sound of this crumble! #CookBlogShare
Sneaky Veg
Thanks Lucy. It wasn't quite as sweet as I'm used to but much better for the kids I'm sure!
gemmathomas7
Big fan of the maple syrup! I have some apples ready to go, will go out and buy a bottle x
Sneaky Veg
I seem to be getting through a lot of maple syrup at the mo - so good!
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
I love crumble and it certainly is the perfect time of year for crumble! This looks and sounds delicious x #CookBlogShare
Sneaky Veg
Thanks Kirsty!
jayteetoo
Love the look of this! It made me want crumble immediately! But sadly I don't have the ingredients in. Maybe one for the weekend. It reminded me, I got a great recipe from my friend Sally in Fal for a flapjack crumble topping. You don't need to rub the butter and flour together so it's really quick and really rather yummy. It has sugar in, but perhaps you could experiment with melting maple syrup or honey with the butter?
100g plain flour, 125g dark brown sugar, 50g oats, 1tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, 100g melted butter, 1tsp vanilla extract. Mix dry ingredients, mix in melted butter and vanilla with a fork and sprinkle topping over fruit in a dish pressing down a little. 180 degrees C for 30-40 mins. I've tried adding a little ground ginger or crushed up ginger nuts, or dessicated coconut, which are all good! My fave fruit combo for this is rhubarb, apple and raisin, but also like a bit of peach and blueberry or raspberry.
Sneaky Veg
Ooh thanks, that sounds yummy!