This Easy Apple and Blueberry Crumble has become a favorite in our home. It’s sweet without being heavy and simple to prepare. Tart green apples combine with juicy blueberries and pure maple syrup for a delightful contrast. The crumble can be assembled in advance, making it an excellent choice for entertaining—prep ahead and bake just before guests arrive.
This light, fruity dessert is something the whole family will enjoy. I made this recipe after an apple-picking trip when we came home with more apples than we could eat. It’s lovely alongside other apple dishes and works well with my other recipes for gatherings and meal prep.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Full of flavor while remaining light and naturally sweet.
- Quick to prepare—only about 15 minutes of hands-on time—so it’s perfect for guests.
- This version is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, and can be made vegan.
- Made from whole ingredients, it’s a healthier alternative to many traditional desserts.
- It’s ideal for fall when apples are at their best—fresh-picked apples shine in this dish.
Ingredients
For the crispy topping:
- Oats – Use old-fashioned or steel-cut gluten-free oats for a crisp topping.
- Ghee – Cold, cut into cubes (or use butter or vegan butter as needed).
- Almond flour – Helps bind the oat topping.
- Coconut sugar – Adds sweetness (brown sugar can be used instead).
- Cinnamon – For warm spice.
- Baking powder – Keeps the topping from collapsing and adds lightness.
For the fruity filling:
- Apples – Green apples are preferred for their tartness; peel and slice evenly.
- Blueberries – Fresh berries work best.
- Cinnamon, cardamom & salt – For balanced spice; adjust to taste.
- Vanilla extract – Adds depth of flavor.
- Arrowroot – Or cornstarch to thicken the filling and coat the fruit.
- Pure maple syrup – Natural sweetener that complements the fruit.
See the recipe card below for exact measurements and full ingredient list.
Substitutions and Variations
- Oats – Do not use instant oats; they won’t produce the same texture.
- Ghee – Swap with regular butter if not dairy-free, or vegan butter for a vegan option.
- Coconut sugar – Brown sugar works as an alternative.
- Arrowroot – Cornstarch can be used as a thickener if preferred.
If you try other swaps or additions, note how it turned out and adjust future batches accordingly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Equipment Needed
- 8 by 8-inch casserole or baking dish.
Chef’s Tips
- Tip #1: Flash-freezing the topping before baking can help it crisp up even more.
- Tip #2: Use old-fashioned or steel-cut oats for texture—avoid instant oats.
- Tip #3: Slice apples evenly so they bake uniformly.
Money Saving Tip
- Make your own ghee at home to save money—homemade clarified butter is less expensive than store-bought.
Recipe FAQs
Green apples work well because their tartness balances the sweetness of the topping and maple syrup.
The fat—ghee or butter—is key. Using cold, solid fat that’s rubbed into the oats helps create a crisp texture when baked.
Yes. Prepare the fruit and the topping separately and assemble just before baking for best texture.
They are very similar. A crisp typically includes oats in the topping; a crumble may not always. Both are baked fruit desserts with a crunchy topping.
Extra blueberries work great in drinks, smoothies, pancakes, or a simple homemade lemonade.
Storage Instructions
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Other Gluten-Free Apple Desserts You Will Love
-
Vegan Peach Cobbler
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Gluten Free Apple Muffins
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Gluten Free Apple Crisp
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Apple Oatmeal Bake (Gluten Free)
Healthy Apple and Blueberry Crumble
526kcal
Equipment
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8 by 8 baking dish
Ingredients
Apple blueberry filling
- 2 cups blueberries (fresh)
- 2 green apples, thinly sliced and peeled
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp arrowroot (or cornstarch)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- a pinch of sea salt
Crisp topping
- 1.5 cups oats (gluten-free sprouted or old-fashioned)
- 6 tbsp ghee or butter (cold, cut into chunks)
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
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1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
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2. In a large bowl, combine blueberries, sliced apples, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, arrowroot and maple syrup. Toss until fruit is evenly coated.
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3. In a separate bowl, mix oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Add cold ghee or butter and break it into the dry ingredients with your fingers until crumbly.
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4. Spread the fruit mixture in the prepared baking dish, then evenly scatter the oat topping over it. Bake for 55–60 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition: Nutrition values are estimates and cannot be guaranteed.
Servings: Makes approximately 6–8 servings.
Variations:
- Use butter instead of ghee.
- Swap coconut sugar for brown sugar.
- Substitute cornstarch for arrowroot if needed.
| Calories: 526 kcal
| Carbohydrates: 73 g
| Protein: 8 g
| Fat: 24 g