If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like the cozy comfort of a warm apple dessert to brighten up a chilly evening. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe with you—it’s a little slice of autumn in your kitchen, made entirely plant-based. The balance of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a crispy, buttery crumble topping is just irresistible. Whether you’re craving a simple weeknight dessert or want to impress friends at a casual dinner, this recipe truly shines.
What I love most about this Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe is how approachable it is without compromising on flavor. You don’t need fancy ingredients or tons of prep time, and yet the results are so satisfying that my family goes crazy for it every time. Plus, it’s adaptable—perfect if you want to swap apples or tailor the sweetness. I’ve found that once you get the hang of it, this crumble quickly becomes your go-to comfort dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most in your pantry, so it’s easy to whip up anytime.
- Perfect Texture: The crumble topping bakes into little clusters that are both crunchy and buttery.
- Adaptable & Allergy-Friendly: Easily made gluten-free or swapped with your favorite apples or vegan butter.
- Family Favorite: It’s a crowd-pleaser—my family keeps asking for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get that perfect Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe, I choose fresh, crisp apples and a mix of simple pantry staples that play nicely together to give a flavorful, tender filling and a satisfyingly crispy topping.
- Apples: I like using a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp to balance tartness and sweetness, but any firm baking apple works well.
- Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar adds that rich caramel note both in the filling and topping.
- Lemon Juice: Helps brighten the apple flavor and prevents browning during prep.
- All-Purpose Flour: Binds the apple filling nicely and forms the base of the crumble topping.
- Ground Cinnamon: Essential warm spice that complements apples beautifully.
- Salt: Just a hint to enhance all the flavors without overpowering.
- Baking Powder: Gives the topping a subtle lift and lightness.
- Vegan Butter: Melted butter creates those golden, crunchy bits on top—Miyoko’s is my go-to, but coconut oil works too.
Variations
I love making this Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe my own by trying different tweaks depending on the season or my mood. Feel free to experiment—you’ll find it’s a forgiving recipe that responds well to a little creativity!
- Nutty Additions: I sometimes sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans in the crumble for extra crunch and warmth.
- Fruit Mix: You can swap in or add pears, berries, or peaches for a fresh twist on the traditional apple base.
- Gluten-Free Version: I’ve used a gluten-free all-purpose flour and it works beautifully for those with sensitivities.
- Spice Variations: Adding nutmeg or cardamom spices can deepen the flavor profile without much extra effort.
How to Make Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Toss Your Apples
Start by peeling, coring, and dicing about 2 ½ pounds of apples—this can be a bit meditative once you get into the rhythm. In a large bowl, mix the apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything until the apples are evenly coated; this step is key to getting a juicy, tender filling that thickens nicely as it bakes.
Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping
Next, whisk together the dry crumble ingredients—flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt—in a medium bowl. Pour in the melted vegan butter and stir until you get a crumbly texture. I find that using my fingers to mix helps create those delightful clusters you want on top; it feels a bit like play, and the end result is worth it.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Transfer your apple mixture to a lightly sprayed 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Then sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, leaving some bigger chunks to bake into crispy clusters. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and you see bubbling on the sides. The house will smell amazing—trust me, it’s the hardest part to wait!
Pro Tips for Making Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe
- Apple Selection Matters: I’ve learned the best crumbles blend tart and sweet apples to keep the filling interesting.
- Don’t Overmix Topping: Keep it crumbly to get those perfect clusters, instead of a dense crust.
- Use Lemon Juice Generously: This prevents browning and adds a fresh tang that balances the sweetness.
- Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye during the last 10 minutes to avoid burning the topping; every oven bakes a bit differently.
How to Serve Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my warm Vegan Apple Crumble with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream—its cold creaminess mixed with the aromatic crumble is heavenly. Sometimes, I drizzle vegan salted caramel sauce on top to add that extra layer of indulgence that really makes it pop.
Side Dishes
This dessert stands beautifully on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, I suggest serving it after a light salad or soup like a roasted butternut squash soup—comfort food all around!
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve served this crumble in individual ramekins, piping a swirl of coconut whipped cream on top with a cinnamon stick garnish. It feels festive and makes each serving feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (and lucky you if you do!), I store them covered in the fridge and they stay delicious for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven to bring back the crisp topping and warm apples.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this crumble successfully by assembling it in a freezer-safe dish before baking. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake it fresh for about 50 minutes. It’s a great way to prep ahead for busy days!
Reheating
To keep the crumble topping crisp when reheating, I pop portions in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes instead of microwaving, which can make it soggy. This way, you get that just-baked feeling every time.
FAQs
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Can I use other fruits instead of apples in this vegan apple crumble recipe?
Absolutely! While apples give that classic flavor, you can swap in pears, peaches, or a mix of berries to refresh the dessert. Just make sure the fruit you choose is firm enough to hold up during baking and adjust sugar as needed for sweetness.
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What vegan butter do you recommend for the crumble topping?
I love using Miyoko’s vegan butter because of its rich flavor and great melting properties. That said, any vegan butter or even solid coconut oil works well—you just want enough fat to get that perfect crumbly texture.
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How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour in both the filling and topping. Just check your flour blend includes a binder like xanthan gum to help with texture.
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Can I prepare the crumble topping ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the crumble topping in advance and keep it in the fridge for a day or two in an airtight container. Just bring it to room temperature before sprinkling it over the apples so it crumbles easily.
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What should the texture of the baked crumble be?
The apples should be tender and juicy but not mushy, while the topping should be golden brown with crunchy clusters. If your topping seems soft, bake for a little longer, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
Final Thoughts
I honestly can’t recommend this Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe enough—it’s that perfect blend of familiar flavors with a plant-based twist that makes it feel like a warm hug in dessert form. Every time I make it, I’m reminded how wonderful simple ingredients can taste when treated right. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become your new favorite dessert to share with friends and family too.
Print
Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Apple Crumble is a warm and comforting dessert featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a crispy, buttery vegan crumble. Perfectly baked to golden brown perfection, this recipe offers a delightful combination of sweet and tart flavors, making it a perfect treat for fall or any cozy occasion. Served warm, it pairs beautifully with vegan vanilla ice cream or salted caramel for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6-7 cups peeled, cored and diced apples (about 2 1/2 pounds whole apples)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lightly spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and diced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, all purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the apples with the mixture, which will help thicken the filling during baking.
- Transfer to Dish: Pour and spread the apple mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish, setting it aside for the topping preparation.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Add melted vegan butter and stir until a crumbly mixture forms. Use your fingers to combine the mixture fully, creating some larger chunks to achieve delicious clusters after baking.
- Top the Apples: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples in the casserole dish, ensuring some larger crumbs are left to create texture.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the crumble topping turns golden brown, apples are tender, and the sides are bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm, ideally with vegan vanilla ice cream and vegan salted caramel sauce for an extra special touch of flavor.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all purpose flour with a gluten free all purpose flour blend.
- Any apple variety works well, but granny smith and honey crisp apples are preferred for their balance of tartness and sweetness. Using a mix enhances flavor depth.
- Miyoko’s vegan butter is recommended, but any melted vegan butter will work. Coconut oil can also be used as a substitute with good results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
