Introduction

Oh, the smell of warm apples and cinnamon! It’s one of those comforting aromas that just instantly makes me feel like I’m home, snuggled up with a good book or chatting with friends. And guess what? You can bring that magic into your kitchen with this incredibly simple and healthy breakfast apple crumble. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a special treat, but is so easy you can whip it up even on a busy morning. Forget those store-bought pastries; this homemade version is so much better, and good for you too!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, this comes together in a flash, perfect for when you need a delicious breakfast without a fuss.
Easy: No fancy techniques here! If you can chop an apple, you can make this.
Giftable: Imagine sharing a warm, freshly baked crumble with a neighbor or friend. It’s pure love in a dish!
Crowd-pleasing: From kids to grandparents, everyone adores a good apple crumble. It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Let’s gather our goodies. You’ll find that these ingredients are probably already in your pantry!

6 sweet apples: Think Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala. We want apples that are naturally sweet so we don’t need a lot of added sugar.
2 tsp honey: Just a touch to sweeten those apples beautifully.
2/3 cup oats: Rolled oats (old-fashioned) are best here for a lovely texture.
1 tbsp cinnamon: The quintessential fall spice that makes everything taste like happiness.
1 pinch salt: Don’t skip this! It really helps to bring out all the other flavors.
5 tsp coconut oil: Melted, this helps our crumble topping get nice and golden and a little bit crispy.
2/3 cup pecans: Chopped, these add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor to our topping.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! It’s really as simple as mixing and baking.

Preheat your oven: Get it nice and warm to 350°F (175°C). It’s like tucking your crumble into a cozy bed.
Prep your apples: Peel, core, and dice your apples into bite-sized pieces. I like to aim for about 1-inch cubes, but it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Flavor the apples: In a medium bowl, toss your diced apples with the honey, cinnamon, and that little pinch of salt. Give them a good stir so they’re all coated in that warming spice.
Make the crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine the oats, chopped pecans, and the melted coconut oil. Mix it all up until the oats and pecans are nicely coated. This is our crunchy, nutty crown for the apples.
Assemble your crumble: Pour the apple mixture into your baking dish. I usually use an 8×8 inch baking dish, but any oven-safe dish will work!
Top it off: Evenly spread the oat and pecan mixture over the top of the apples. Make sure you get that lovely topping all the way to the edges.
Bake until golden: Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the apples are tender when poked with a fork, and that crumble topping is a beautiful golden brown.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling adventurous? Or maybe you’re missing an ingredient? No worries, this recipe is super forgiving!

Apples: If you don’t have sweet apples, you can use tart ones like Granny Smith, but you might want to add an extra teaspoon of honey.
Honey: Maple syrup or even a touch of brown sugar works beautifully here.
Pecans: Walnuts are a fantastic substitute, or even a mix of nuts! If you have nut allergies, you can omit them or try using sunflower seeds for a different kind of crunch.
Add-ins: Want to make it even more special? Toss in a handful of dried cranberries or raisins with your apples for extra bursts of sweetness and chewiness. A tiny bit of grated ginger in the apple mix is also divine!

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to make your crumble absolutely perfect every time!

Don’t over-mix the topping: You want those oats and nuts to stay a bit distinct for the best texture.
Even apple size: Try to dice your apples fairly evenly so they all cook at the same rate.
Prep ahead: You can totally prep the apple mixture and the topping mixture separately the night before and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. In the morning, just assemble and bake!
Watch the oven: Ovens can be a little quirky! Keep an eye on your crumble towards the end of the baking time to make sure the topping doesn’t get too dark. If it is, you can loosely tent it with foil.

How to Store It

Leftovers (if there are any!) are a rare but welcome occurrence in my house. Here’s how to keep your crumble tasting its best.

Once cooled, you can store any leftover apple crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, I love to pop a serving in a toaster oven or a regular oven at about 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until it’s warm and cozy again. It’s also surprisingly delicious cold straight from the fridge!

FAQs

Got a quick question? I’ve got you covered!

Is this crumble really healthy?

Yes! It’s packed with fiber from the apples and oats, healthy fats from the pecans and coconut oil, and uses minimal added sweetener. It’s a great way to start your day with natural goodness.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats, and you’ll have a delicious gluten-free breakfast crumble.

What kind of baking dish should I use?

Any oven-safe baking dish will work! An 8×8 inch square dish is perfect for this amount, but a pie plate or even individual ramekins would be lovely.

Can I add other fruits?

You sure can! Berries like blueberries or raspberries are a wonderful addition. Just toss them in with the apples before adding the honey and cinnamon.

Easy Healthy Apple Crumble

A simple and healthy apple crumble recipe perfect for a cozy breakfast or a delightful dessert, featuring warm apples and a crunchy oat-pecan topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

Oven
Baking dish 8x8 inch square dish recommended, but any oven-safe dish will work.
Medium bowl
Separate bowl

Ingredients

Main ingredients

6 sweet apples Think Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala.
2 tsp honey
2 cup rolled oats Old-fashioned are best.
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 pinch salt
5 tsp coconut oil Melted
2 cup pecans Chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Peel, core, and dice apples into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes).
In a medium bowl, toss diced apples with honey, cinnamon, and salt until coated.
In a separate bowl, combine oats, chopped pecans, and melted coconut oil. Mix until coated.
Pour the apple mixture into your baking dish.
Evenly spread the oat and pecan mixture over the top of the apples.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until apples are tender and the crumble topping is golden brown.

Notes

Can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats. Can add other fruits like berries. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated.