There’s something about the smell of baked apples drifting through the kitchen that makes everything feel instantly warmer. This vegan apple crumble recipe is the kind of dessert that doesn’t need fancy plating or complicated steps. It’s humble, rustic, and ridiculously satisfying — perfect for chilly evenings, potlucks, or when you just want something sweet without breaking a sweat.
Today, I’m walking you through my go-to easy vegan apple crumble. It’s dairy-free, simple to prepare, and can easily be made gluten-free. The best part? The golden oat crumble topping that’s crispy yet soft in all the right places.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Apple Crumble
- Quick to prepare – Minimal prep, no weird ingredients.
- Easily customizable – Works with pears or berries too.
- Make-ahead friendly – Assemble and refrigerate before baking.
- Crowd-pleaser – Even non-vegans will ask for seconds.
I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count — sometimes as a traditional vegan apple crumble pie and sometimes in bar form. It’s versatile and forgiving, which is why it’s stayed in my dessert rotation for years.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy for this crumble. Most ingredients are probably already in your pantry.
For the Filling:
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
For the Oat Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats if needed)
- ¾ cup almond flour (or all-purpose flour if not GF)
- ½ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- ½ cup vegan butter or coconut oil, melted
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Apples
Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin wedges. The thinner the slices, the softer and juicier your filling will be. Toss them in a large bowl with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt until evenly coated.
2. Make the Oat Crumble
In a separate bowl, stir together oats, almond flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in melted vegan butter or coconut oil and mix until the texture is crumbly but slightly moist.
3. Assemble
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the apple mixture evenly into a baking dish (8×8 or similar). Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples, making sure no fruit is peeking through.
4. Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling underneath. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
5. Cool and Serve
Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before serving — the filling needs a moment to thicken. Serve warm, with a scoop of vegan ice cream or a dollop of dairy-free yogurt.
Variations You Can Try
- Vegan Apple Crisp with Oats – This recipe already has oats, but you can add chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Apple Crumble – Use certified GF oats and almond flour.
- Vegan Apple Crumble Bars – Press half the crumble into the base of a lined baking dish, spread apple filling, and top with remaining crumble. Bake, cool, and slice.
- Vegan Apple Crumble Pie – Use the crumble topping over a pre-baked vegan pie crust.
- Spiced Twist – Add cardamom or ginger for extra warmth.
Pro Tips for the Best Vegan Apple Crumble
- Mix apple varieties – Combining tart Granny Smith with sweet Honeycrisp gives depth of flavor.
- Don’t skimp on the cinnamon – It’s what makes the crumble feel comforting.
- Rest before eating – The filling thickens as it cools, so resist diving in too soon.
- Make ahead – Assemble and store unbaked crumble in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Serve creatively – Try it with vanilla oat milk ice cream or even flavored vegan Greek yogurt (think vanilla or maple).
Final Thoughts
This easy vegan apple crumble is proof that comfort food doesn’t need dairy, eggs, or complicated techniques. The tender apples, warm spices, and crispy oat topping check every dessert box. Whether you serve it after a cozy weeknight dinner or bring it to a holiday table, it’s one of those recipes that disappears fast.
Bake it once, and I’m willing to bet it becomes your go-to vegan gluten-free apple crumble for years to come.
Vegan Apple Crumble
Ingredients
Method
- Prep the apples – Peel, core, and slice them into thin wedges.
- Mix the filling – In a large bowl, toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt until coated.
- Make the topping – In another bowl, stir together oats, almond flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted vegan butter and mix until crumbly.
- Assemble – Spread the apple filling evenly in a baking dish (8×8 inches or similar). Sprinkle crumble topping over the apples.
- Bake – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the topping is golden and apples are bubbling.
- Cool and serve – Let it rest for 15 minutes so the filling thickens. Serve warm with vegan ice cream or dairy-free yogurt.
Notes
- Using a mix of tart and sweet apples makes the flavor richer.
- If you want extra crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
- You can prep it a day ahead and bake just before serving.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this without oats?
Yes! Swap the oats for extra almond flour or chopped nuts for a crunchier topping.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven to crisp up the topping.
Q: Can I freeze vegan apple crumble?
Absolutely. Bake first, cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat at 350°F until warmed through.
Q: What’s the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp?
Traditionally, crisps have oats in the topping while crumbles do not — but the terms are often used interchangeably now.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, but keep in mind that sugar helps create that irresistible caramelized topping.
