Vegan Apple Crumble
This vegan apple crumble recipe is made with 7 ingredients and is ready in 40 minutes! Tart Granny Smith apples are combined with a crisp, buttery, and cinnamon-infused topping for a classic British dessert gone plant-based. Serve it as-is or with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream on holidays or any ol’ weeknight!
❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe
- 7 ingredients: With just a handful of mostly pantry staples, this vegan apple crumble is easy to whip up whenever you need a no-fuss dessert.
- Quick to make: It’s ready in just 40 minutes, from start to finish! There’s no need to spend all day in the kitchen when you have this handy recipe.
- Comfort food classic: There’s no better pairing than juicy, tart apples and a warm, cinnamon-spiced crumble topping, especially during the holiday season.
- Vegan-friendly: This is a dessert that everyone can enjoy! It’s free from dairy and eggs, and it can easily be made gluten-free.
If you love apples and desserts, you’ll have to check out our vegan apple cider donuts, vegan apple crisp, vegan apple cake, and vegan apple pie.
🍏 Classic vegan apple crumble
Vegan apple crumble is our plant-based take on one of the most classic recipes in every home baker’s repertoire — the apple crumble! It comes as no surprise that this recipe is a go-to favorite for people all over the world.
It’s made with minimal ingredients, inexpensive, and simple. That’s the holy grail of baking! While we’re a huge fan of all apple desserts, this vegan apple crumble may be our favorite one we’ve posted on Broke Bank Vegan (yup, we said it).
It has the perfect balance between tart Granny Smith apples, sweet brown sugar, and warming cinnamon. Plus, the topping adds a mouthwateringly crispy and buttery texture. We’re confident this recipe will earn a place in your vegan dessert hall of fame!
🍎 Best apples for crumble
You can make vegan apple crumble with tart or sweet apples. We generally stick to Granny Smiths because they have a perfectly tart flavor and hold their shape well. Another one of our favorites is Honeycrisp apples, which have a slightly sweeter flavor but still a firm texture.
You can also use Braeburn, Pink Lady Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Northern Spy, and Fuji with good results. Or, try mixing and matching apples for a balance of sweet and tart flavors.
🛒 Ingredients & substitutions
- Apples: We used all Granny Smith apples in this recipe since they balance the sweetness of the crumble. If Granny Smiths aren’t available, any apple variety listed above will work well.
- All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the filling and give structure to the crumble topping. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Baking are both good options).
- Brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the apple filling and the crumble topping. Coconut sugar is the next best option. Granulated sugar will work, but it will result in a lighter flavor profile.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is key for adding warm, fall-inspired notes. You can also use nutmeg, allspice, or even apple pie spice for an interesting twist.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors. It’s a small but essential ingredient!
- Baking powder: Gives a little lift to the crumble topping, making it lighter and flakier. You can technically leave it out but just expect a denser crumble.
- Vegan butter: Provides the richness and moisture needed for the crumble topping. You can substitute it with coconut oil in a pinch.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
📝 How to make vegan apple crumble
Step 1: Mix the filling
Combine the apple cubes with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Toss everything to coat the apple pieces evenly, then transfer the apple mixture into a 9×9 baking pan, spreading it out into an even layer.
Step 2: Prepare the topping
In the same bowl (no need for extra dishes here!), mix the crumble ingredients until it resembles coarse sand. The vegan butter should be melted for easy mixing and a perfectly golden-brown topping.
Step 3: Bake the crumble
Sprinkle the topping evenly over your apples (no need to press it down). Bake your vegan apple crumble until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Let it stand for a few minutes to give the juices time to thicken, then serve it immediately. Happy eating!
If you have questions about this vegan apple crumble recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
🍦 What to serve with vegan apple crumble
Enjoy a scoop of warm vegan apple crumble with some classic pairings like these:
- Dairy-free ice cream (vanilla or salted caramel are our favorites)
- Vegan whipped cream
- Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds
- Vegan caramel
- Coconut yogurt
- Vegan custard
🌡️ Storage & reheating
You’ll be happy to know this vegan apple crumble stores well! Follow these simple storage tips to keep it fresh:
- Fridge: Once it cools, you can keep leftover vegan apple crumble in an airtight container for up to 5 days. We recommend storing it in the fridge as opposed to on the counter, especially if you live in a humid place.
- Freezer: Vegan apple crumble will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Once it’s cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container to avoid freezer burn.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in an oven at 350F until heated through. You can also heat the apple crumble in a microwave, but the topping won’t crisp up as well.
- Make ahead: To prep your vegan apple crumble beforehand, make the filling as instructed but add a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge and the topping in a separate container for up to a day. Assemble it and bake it on the day of.
♻️ Variations
- Berries: Add a cup of mixed berries to the apple mixture for a tart twist.
- Oat crumble: Add rolled oats to the topping mixture to create a chewy texture like our vegan apple crisp.
- Zesty: Grate some lemon or orange zest into the apple mix for a citrusy kick.
- Cookie crumble: Crush vegan cookies and mix them into the crumble topping for added flavor and crunch.
- Pears: Instead of apples, try using pears for a different flavor and texture.
🧑🍳 Top tips
- Use firm apples: Choose firm apple varieties, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, for the perfect balance of tartness and texture.
- Consistent chunks: Cut your apples into even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Don’t overmix: When you’re preparing the topping, mix until it’s just crumbly. Overmixing can lead to a doughy texture.
- Adjust the sweetness: Taste your apples first! If they’re extra tart, you may want to add a little more sugar to the filling.
- Let it cool: Give the crumble a few minutes to set after baking. This gives the filling time to thicken, creating a jammy texture.
- Watch the oven: Ovens vary in temperature, so start checking your vegan apple crumble around the 25-minute mark.
💬 FAQ
Yes, you can use other apples, but the cooking time may vary, and the sweetness will need to be adjusted to taste.
The topping should be golden brown, and you should see the filling bubbling around the edges.
Absolutely! To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. Our favorites are King Arthur Measure For Measure Flour or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
No, you can leave the peels on for a more rustic texture if you prefer.
🍴 More vegan desserts
If you enjoyed this vegan apple crumble, check out these other cozy holiday desserts:
- Vegan Pecan Pie: A 10-ingredient recipe your whole family will love!
- Vegan Pumpkin Bars: Moist and tender with cream cheese icing.
- Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies: Made with 100% pumpkin purée.
- Vegan Pumpkin Muffins: Warming spices and a bakery-style muffin top.
Quick & Easy Vegan Apple Crumble
Equipment
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- 9×9 baking pan
Ingredients
Filling
- 6 small (~6 cups) Granny Smith apples (peeled & cubed into ¼-inch pieces)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup vegan butter (melted)
- ½ teaspoon salt
For serving
- Dairy-free ice cream (salted caramel or vanilla)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grab out a 9×9 baking pan.
Filling
- Add the apple cubes to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the top with flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Toss to combine.
- Transfer the apples to the baking pan, evening out the top with a spatula. Set them aside while you make the filling.
Topping
- In the same mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, melted vegan butter, and salt until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
- Top the apple filling with this mixture, making sure it’s evenly dispersed.
Bake
- Bake it for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Remove your vegan apple crumble from the oven and let it stand for ~10 minutes before serving as-is or with vegan ice cream. Happy eating!
Video
Notes
- Use firm apples: Choose firm apple varieties, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, for the perfect balance of tartness and texture.
- Consistent chunks: Cut your apples into even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Don’t overmix: When you’re preparing the topping, mix until it’s just crumbly. Overmixing can lead to a doughy texture.
- Adjust the sweetness: Taste your apples first! If they’re extra tart, you may want to add a little more sugar to the filling.
- Let it cool: Give the crumble a few minutes to set after baking. This gives the filling time to thicken, creating a jammy texture.
- Watch the oven: Ovens vary in temperature, so start checking your vegan apple crumble around the 25-minute mark.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
Nutrition
Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.