The Best Healthy Apple Crumble Recipe (gluten free)

As someone who is gluten free and allergic to almonds it is so important to me to provide easy gluten free recipes without nuts when hosting. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a holiday celebration, this gluten free apple crumble is a crowd-pleasing dessert and will quickly become one of your favorite desserts. The ease of preparation allows you to focus on other dishes and enjoy time with your guests, while the warm, comforting flavors are sure to be a hit.

This best classic apple crisp recipe is prepared and baked in a single dish, minimizing cleanup and saving you precious time, just like my one pan gluten free berry crumble.

This healthy apple crisp recipe boasts a prep time of 15 minutes or less, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a quick and easy dessert. With minimal chopping and efficient baking, you can enjoy a delicious homemade treat without spending hours in the kitchen. No need to worry about a mountain of pots and pans – this easy apple crumble recipe keeps things simple and efficient. This classic recipe is the perfect fall dessert.

This healthy apple crumble recipe is gluten free and can be made low fat or dairy free. 

why you’ll love this recipe

• Without a doubt, this healthy apple crumble is the easiest apple crumble you’ll ever make! 
• The warm and sweet apples are topped with honey, cinnamon and gluten free granola. Whether you call it an apple crisp or an apple crumble, this healthy dessert recipe is cozy, tasty and perfect for Fall!
• This Healthy Apple Crumble is an easy, healthy twist on the classic apple crisp recipe, minus all the butter, but without comprising any flavor! 
• This healthy apple crumble is easy to make vegan or sugar free too! So no matter what food allergy or dietary restriction you have, you don’t have to miss out on the best dessert of the Fall!
• You can either bake this apple crumble or make it an air fryer apple crumble, but either way the apples will be soft and warm in the center and topped with your favorite crunchy granola.

ingredients & substitutions

Apples: The star of the gluten free apple crumble! Any kind of apple will work – granny smith apples, pink lady, tart apples, honeycrisp apples, or Braeburn are great options. Make sure to use fresh apples that are in season. Tender apples also work too that are a little past their prime. Slice them and add to a large bowl with lemon juice and water so they don’t turn brown. 

Honey: Provides sweetness.  You can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.

Pumpkin Spice: A blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. If you don’t have pumpkin spice, just use extra cinnamon.

Cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet flavor. A great addition even if you have pumpkin spice!

Granola (gluten-free): Gives the crumble a satisfying crunch.  You can use regular granola if you don’t need it to be gluten-free. Chopped nuts would also work. You can also make your own crumble topping by mixing together gluten free oats (crunchy oat granola, old-fashioned oats, quick oats, etc) gluten free flour, sugar and butter in a small bowl. You can use any flour (oat flour, almond flour, gluten free purpose flour, etc.) Feel free to use whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour if you are not gluten free. 

Cool Whip Lite: Adds a creamy, light topping. You can use regular Cool Whip or I love using a whipped Greek yogurt as an alternative.

taste & texture

The apples are soft and warm in the center. The apples are topped with crispy cunchy granola. The pumpkin spice gives the healthy apple crumble the perfect fall favor, and the cool whip is the perfect cool, creamy topping to offest the warm, sweet apples. This healthy apple crumble recipe has a delightful mix of flavors and textures. The apples are soft and warm, with a sweet honey flavor and a hint of spice. The granola adds a satisfying crunch. The Cool Whip brings a cool, creamy element that balances out the sweetness of the apples. Overall, it’s a simple, comforting dessert that’s perfect for a chilly fall evening.

Directions

1. Prepare the apples:

• Wash and dry the apples.
• Cut the apples in half and remove the cores. You can peel them now if you prefer, but it’s optional.
• Place the apple halves, cut side down, in a baking dish.

2. Flavor the apples:

• Drizzle each apple half with honey.
• Sprinkle each apple half with pumpkin spice and cinnamon.

3. Bake or air fry:

• For baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the apples for 10 minutes, or longer if you prefer them softer or crispier.
• For air frying: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (199°C). Air fry the apples until crispy and browned around the edges. I like to air fry because it takes less time.

4. Assemble and serve:

• Let the apples cool for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown.
• Top each apple half with granola and Cool Whip Lite.
• Serve immediately and enjoy! Option to serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or vegan ice cream.

expert tips & tricks

• Apple selection: Choose apples that are firm and crisp for the best texture. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are all good options. You can even go apple picking during apple season to pick the freshest apples!
• Slicing consistency: Aim for similar-sized apple slices to ensure even cooking.
• Honey sweetness: Adjust the honey amount to your taste preference. Start with less and add more for extra sweetness.
• Don’t overcook: Keep an eye on the apples while baking or air frying. Overcooked apples will become mushy.
• Cool slightly: Let the crumble cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the filling to thicken and the topping to set.
• Warm apple crisp or chilled: This crumble can be enjoyed warm or chilled, depending on your preference. The perfect way to serve this healthier apple crumble is alongside fresh vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream. 
• Use a mixture of brown sugar or coconut sugar and cinnamon for a cinnamon sugar twist.
• Drizzle a little bit lemon juice top of the apples before baking to keep them from turning brown.  

recipe variations

• To make this healthy apple crumble healthy, use a low fat, lite or fat free cool whip. For a low-carb version, skip the Cool Whip and granola, and use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener in the honey. For a low-fat option, use unsweetened applesauce instead of Cool Whip and choose a low-fat granola or chopped nuts. 
• To make this healthy apple crumble recipe vegan, swap the Cool Whip for coconut whipped cream and use vegan butter or coconut oil in any granola you choose.

how to serve and store

You can serve this delicious apple crisp warm right out of the oven or chilled from the refrigerator. 

Leftover apple crumble will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave or pop the whole dish back in the oven for a few minutes.

This recipe doesn’t freeze particularly well due to the Cool Whip. However, you can easily meal prep individual portions for quick on-the-go snacks. Simply assemble the apples with honey, spices, and granola in small, freezer-safe containers.  When ready to eat, thaw if necessary, heat the apple mixture, and top with Cool Whip just before serving.