Vegan Apple Crumble

This easy-to-make vegan apple crumble is a family favorite dessert packed with tender apples and a streusel topping! This dairy-free vegan dessert is easily made gluten-free by using your preferred flour!

Get ready for the easiest dessert you will ever make! An apple crumble, akin to a pie minus the crust. Say goodbye to the hassle of rolling and blind-baking dough; this recipe is straightforward!

Next, let’s chat about the flavor. Tart and sweet apples mixed with the warmth of cinnamon baked to perfection. On top is a classic sweet and crunchy streusel!

And if that weren’t heavenly enough, here’s the home run – this recipe is entirely vegan! Traditional butter is swapped for vegan butter, making it dairy-free. Moreover, use your preferred gluten-free flour to make this dessert vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

I like to serve this crumble (or any crumble, for that matter) with veganized no-bake pumpkin pie and vegan vanilla ice cream!

What is a Crumble?

Crumbles is an easy dessert made with seasonal fruits and limited ingredients. They originated in the UK during WWII. During this time, ingredients were rationed, and obtaining the ingredients used to make a pie was difficult. As a result, crumbles became a way to make a dessert with limited ingredients and seasonal fruits such as apples, rhubarb, and plums, which were readily available during the war.

A crumble is baked seasonal fruit topped with a crumbly mixture of flour, sugar, and butter. The fruit is usually sliced and mixed with sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes other spices or flavors, such as nutmeg or lemon juice. The crumble topping is made by mixing flour, sugar, and sometimes oats or nuts with cold butter to create a crumbly texture. The mixture is then sprinkled over the apples and baked in the oven until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is tender. Crumbles are often served warm and can be enjoyed alone or with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

Is this a Crumble or a Crisp?

Crumbles and crisps are similar desserts that share many of the same ingredients and characteristics, but there are some differences between the two:

Topping: Crumble toppings are made with flour, sugar, and butter and can sometimes include oats, nuts, or spices. In contrast, crisp toppings are usually made with oats, flour, sugar, and butter and sometimes include nuts or spices.

Texture: Crumbles toppings are usually denser and have a more crumbly texture than crisp toppings, which are typically lighter and more granular.

Origin: Crumbles are a British dessert, while crisps are a North American dessert.
Despite these differences, “crumble” and “crisp” are often used interchangeably, and both are delicious desserts with baked fruit.

What Type of Apples Should I Use?

Always look for firm apples to hold their shape during baking and tender enough to become soft and juicy when cooked. I find that Granny Smith apples work best. They hold their shape better than their counterparts.

Below are my top five recommendations.

Variety	Flavor	Texture	Sweetness	Best Use
Granny Smith	Tart	Firm	Low	Holds their shape when baked
Honeycrisp	Sweet-tart	Crisp	Medium	Retains shape and flavor when baked
Braeburn	Sweet-tart	Crisp	Medium	Holds its shape when baked
Jonagold	Sweet-tart	Tender	High	Softens when baked, good for a smoother texture
Pink Lady	Sweet-tart	Crisp	High	Retains shape and flavor when baked

Ingredient Notes

• All-Purpose Flour: Flour is the binding agent necessary for the filling and the topping. Alternatively, you can use gluten-free flour at a 1:1 ratio. For additional flour options, check out my post on chickpea flour and the ten best alternatives.
• Apples: Crisp apples are the center of this dessert. I recommend using Granny Smith or Honey Crisp. For more suggestions, see the suggestions above.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a caramel-like flavor that compliments the apples.
• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Add cozy flavors that go hand in hand with apples.

See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and measurements.

Expert Tips

• Only Use Crisp Apple Varieties: You must use crisp varieties that can stand the baking process. I recommend using Granny Smith apples; they bake better than other varieties.
• Room-Temperature Butter – allows for even mixing of all the streusel ingredients to create a consistent texture. If your butter is cold, place it in the microwave, reduce the power to 3, and heat in bursts of 10 – 15 seconds until the butter is smooth. However, do not melt the butter. That will create a texture similar to a soup that will melt into the apples instead of being a topping.
• Topping: Crumbles taste best when warmed up and topped. You can try many vegan ice creams; I recommend So Delicious vanilla ice cream with this recipe. Another option is homemade whipped cream. I like this version from the Blogger Chaos and Wine homemade maple whipped cream. The maple adds the perfect fall flavor touch!

Frequently Asked Questions