Summary

Prep: 10 mins
Cooking: 45 mins
Ages: Toddlers to Teens
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Makes: 6 ramekins or 1 pie

Apple crumble – from humble beginnings

Apple crumble is a traditional British dessert which is made of baked apple slices, topped with a streusel crust made from butter, flour and sugar. Crumbles came about during the Second World War when rations meant it became too extravagant to make the more complicated ‘apple pies’. However the humble apple crumble gained popularity and today it’s a classic dessert in England, enjoyed best in Autumn when the apples are in season.

Apple crisp

Apple crisp is a similar dessert made by topping baked apples with a coating of oats and brown sugar. So the idea is the same (baked apples with a crumbly topping) but the ingredients have some differences. Apple crumble traditionally uses flour, sugar and butter instead of oats and brown sugar.

Apple crumble meets apple crisp

We’ve combined ingredients here to make a delectable crumble topping out of moist oat flour mixed with ground pumpkin seeds and cinnamon. We have added coconut oil, dates and maple syrup which not only hold the mixture together but also add a sweetness and richness of flavour. They also mean that this dessert can remain sugar free, as well as dairy free.

Healthy apple crumble

Who would thought that a dessert could be so healthy?

Most apple crumbles are made with a good deal of butter, but ours owes it’s crispy crumb to coconut oil and the natural oil in pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are very high in Magnesium and Vitamin K. Oats have numerous health benefits, one of which is that they are one of the only grains that has both proteins and healthy fats. Apples are fruits and a natural sweetener containing phytonutrients and antioxidants which may help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. And coconut oil is unique in that it is packed with ‘good fats’. Its saturated fats raise the good cholesterol level in your body and in this way lower bad cholesterol levels. Coconut oil can can even help boost fat burning if used alongside diet and exercise.

Ingredients

Crumble

Dry ingredients

• 360 grams oat flour (4 cups)
• 80 grams pumpkin seeds
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet ingredients

• 5 large dates (about 80 grams)
• ½ cup virgin coconut oil (120ml)
• ¼ cup maple syrup (60ml)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apple filling

• 8 small apples, peeled and chopped (400 grams)
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• Place the dates in a small bowl and fill with boiling water. Allow them to soak for 5-10 minutes.

Step 1: cook the apple slices

1. Peel, core and chop the apple slices into chunks about 2 x 2 cm.
2. Place the slices in a bowl and coat them with the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix in the 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon and stir everything together.
3. Lay the apple pieces out on an oven dish so that each piece has its space.
4. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

 Step 2: Prepare the crumble

1. While the apple slices are cooking, prepare the crumble topping by putting the pumpkin seeds in a food processor and grinding them until they are very fine.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground up pumpkin seeds with the oat flour, salt and cinnamon.
3. Remove the dates from the boiling water. Chop the dates up, removing the stone.
4. Put them in the bowl of the food processor along with the coconut oil, maple syrup, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Blend until a smooth paste forms.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix everything together. Keep mixing with your hands until a moist and crumbly mixture forms.

Step 3: putting it all together

7. Remove the apple pieces from the oven and pour 2 tablespoons of maple syrup over them.
8. Now, divide the apples between your ramekins (if using), or lay them along the base of your pie dish. Begin to layer, alternating the apple mixture with the crumble.
9. Top with a final layer of crumble and place in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!

Sugar free apple crumble: our step-by-step guide:

Preheat your oven to 180°C.

Soak your dates in boiling water to soften them up.

We’re going to soak them for 5-10 minutes.

Peel and core your apples.

Chop them into rough cubes.

Place in a bowl and pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil over them and 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon.

Mix it all together with a spoon.

Spread the apple pieces out evenly onto a baking sheet and pop in the oven to cook for thirty minutes.

When they’re done the outside will be rather tough, but the inside will be soft and moist.

While the apples are cooking we are going to begin making the crumble.

Put your pumpkin seeds into a food processor and blend until they form a fine grain.

Now combine your ground up pumpkin seeds with your oat flour, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl and set this aside.

Take your dates out of the water and chop them finely.

Mix the dates, maple syrup, coconut oil, lemon juice and vanilla extract in the bowl of your food processor.

Blend until you have a thick paste.

Now combine the wet mixture with the dry mixture and mix it up with your fingers to form a fine crumble.

When the apples are cooked, remove them from the oven and spoon over 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.

Begin by making a layer of apple pieces on the bottom of your pie plate.

If using ramekins distribute the apple slices evenly between the ramekins.

Sprinkle a layer of crumble on top.

Sprinkle a layer of crumble on top.

Carry on layering between apples and crumble until you run out of apples, making the top layer crumble.

Now pop it in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden.

Serve warm!

Enjoy the tastiest sugar free apple crumble!