Healthy Apple Crumble with Walnuts (Low Sugar)

This healthy apple crumble with walnuts comes with a crunchy oat topping and a hint of ginger. Low in sugar, high in fibre, easy to make and adaptable, perfect for breakfast/brunch or dessert.  

See also blackberry crumble and peach blueberry crumble!

This healthy apple crumble/apple crisp with walnuts makes a delicious autumnal breakfast or dessert. It consists of soft, delicious apples with a hint of cinnamon and ginger topped with a crunchy layer of oats and walnuts (similar to the one I used in my apple crumble tart).

Making this wholewheat apple crumble involves first cooking the apples very briefly until softened (as I have done in my apple cake recipe) before topping with a walnut-oat mixture and baking until crunchy. It's easy to make and adapt to suit your preference. See the bottom of my post for serving suggestions.

Healthy apple crumble ingredients and substitutions

For the apple filling

• Apples: I used Braeburn, but you can use another variety (see below for alternatives).
• Honey: you can use maple syrup, agave or another sweetener, including ordinary sugar. Alternatively omit the sugar in the apple filling mixture altogether (see serving suggestions below).
• Cinnamon.
• Ginger: I like to add a bit of fresh ginger into the apples as they cook, but you can omit it if you prefer.
• Lemon juice: helps the apples retain their colour and adds flavour.

For the crumble topping

• Oats: use old-fashioned rolled oats (jumbo oats), not instant oats.
• Walnuts: you can use pecans, instead.
• Flour: I used whole wheat/wholemeal flour for added fibre.
• Butter.
• Sugar: I used a small amount of light brown sugar, but you can use any sugar.

What apples to use

You can use any apples that keep their shape in cooking. I used Braeburn apples but Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples are good alternatives (I do not recommend using Golden Delicious or MacIntosh as these varieties break down easily in cooking).

If you prefer to use cooking apples (such as Bramley in the UK) omit the lemon juice and use a little more sugar in the filling (though this is optional). Alternatively use a combination of sour and sweet apple varieties.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F/200 C/180 fan/gas mark 6.

2. Prepare apples: Peel then core the apples and chop into cubes (not too small). Place in a pot, add the lemon juice, cinnamon, honey and ginger and stir thoroughly. 

3. Cook apples: Cover and cook over a medium heat for about 5 minutes until the apples have softened and released juice. Remove from the heat and transfer the mixture into a medium sized oven dish (approx. 2" deep). Set aside.

4. Make crumble topping: In a large bowl assemble all the topping ingredients and rub with your fingertips until thoroughly combined, crumbly and sticky.

5. Add topping: Crumble the topping mixture over the apples without pressing down.

Bake: Place in the centre of the oven and bake for about 25 minutes until lightly browned and crispy on top. Remove from the oven, set aside for 5-10 minutes, then serve.

Serving suggestions

This healthy apple crisp with walnuts can be served either warm or cold, for breakfast as well as dessert.

• Breakfast: You can serve it on its own, with yogurt or cottage cheese for added protein. If using sweet apples use 1 tablespoon of honey or omit altogether.
• Dessert: You can increase the amount of honey in the apple mixture, as an option, especially if serving this crumble on its own. Also delicious with vanilla ice cream, custard and whipped cream.

Variations

The following ingredients can be added to your healthy apple crumble for a different flavour twist:

• Raisins: add 3-4 tablespoons
• Blackberries: use a little less apples (cook alongside apples). If your filling mixture releases lots of juice stir in 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch before assembling the crumble.
• Lemon zest
• Nutmeg: add ⅕ teaspoon

Top tips and FAQs

More apple recipes to try next

• Gluten free Apple Muffins
• Healthy Baked Apples with Pecans
• Polish Apple Pancakes
• Polish Rice with Apples

See also these other easy breakfast recipes as well as healthier desserts!

Recipe

Keep in touch!

How has your healthy apple oat crumble turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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