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Apple Crumble with Oat Streusel Topping

By Holly Darnell, RD

January 2, 2025

A classic fall and winter treat is an apple crumble, aka an apple crisp. Even better, you can make a healthy version that tastes divine, especially that apple filling and the oat streusel topping.

Compared to other apple-centric desserts like apple pie, the apple crumble is easy to make. Warm apples, oats, holiday seasoning like nutmeg and allspice, and pecans make for the most comforting, delicious combination. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to be a little decadent!

What is an apple crumble?

Never made an apple crumble before? Apple crisp is another name for the same dish, which is characterized by cooked apples covered by an oat streusel topping.

Common in German and Austrian desserts and snacks, a “streusel” is a crumbly topping that typically uses butter, flour and sugar that is baked on top of muffins, cakes, breads and more. The word "streusel" derives from the German word streuen, which means "to scatter" or "to sprinkle.”

An apple crisp should not be confused with an apple cobbler, where the filling also shows but instead is covered in layered biscuits or layered dough.

Best ingredients for apple crumble

Regardless of what you call it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised how few ingredients are needed and how quickly it comes together.

• Apples: Apples are the star of this show. Most varieties work well, but the best are tart, firm baking apples like Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Braeburn and Cortland. We went with a mix of Honeycrisp (sweet) and Granny Smith (less sweet) for this recipe.

• Oats: Go with gluten-free oats for the crunchy topping as well as some fiber.

• Flour: You can go with Paleo flour but a regular all-purpose flour or a gluten-fee variety works best.

• Spices: Cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg from the perfect triumvirate for this apple crisp and produce a lovely holiday-like flavor.

• Pecans: The perfect winter nut that goes with many desserts, pecans complement the apple and the oats and add a healthy fat.

• Lemon: Lemon zest and juice add some nice tartness to balance out the flavor.

• Coconut sugar: Less processed than regular sugar, coconut sugar also carries with it some natural flavor that assists the overall dish.

• Butter: An apple crisp isn’t complete without butter, as it helps the oat streusel topping hold together.

• Multi Collagen Advanced Lean powder: This collagen protein powder with a light cinnamon flavor assists with skin and joint support as well as healthy weight management; plus it adds protein to this recipe.

How to make an apple crisp

First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Use cooking spray or rub butter on a 9 x 13 pan and set aside.

Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat to pre-bake the apples. First chop up the apples into relatively small chunks so it will soften more quickly.

Add the apples, coconut sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, flour, Multi Collagen Advanced Lean, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples are coated and beginning to soften.

Transfer apple filling to the prepared baking pan.

While the apples are pre-baking, make the oat streusel topping. In a medium bowl, add oats, flour, coconut sugar, Multi Collagen Advanced Lean and sea salt.

Using a pastry cutter, cut butter in the oat mixture until the butter resembles a small pea shape. Otherwise, simply chop up the butter and mix into the streusel. Fold in chopped pecans.

(Another way to mix the butter into the mixture is to melt the butter and pour it over the topping, after added over the apples in the pan.)

Add the oat streusel topping to the apple filling in the pan. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until the crumble is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make an apple crisp ahead of time?

Yes, both the apple filling and the oat streusel can be made up to one day in advance of cooking. Cover the pan with foil, put in the fridge and then remove from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before cooking the next day.

What’s the best way to store apple crumble leftovers?

Allow the dish to cool completely, then place into an airtight container in the refrigerator and finish within three days.

What should be served with apple crumble?

While it can be had on its own, many folks like to accompany apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Consider making your own vanilla bean ice cream.

Recipe developed by Holly Darnell, RD. Holly is a registered dietitian nutritionist who unlocked self-love at the intersection of exceptional food and practical solutions for healthy living. She’s passionate about helping others make simple, positive lifestyle changes on their individual path to healing.