Apple Pear Crumble
A delightful fusion of apples and pears under a golden, crunchy topping that balances sweetness, tartness, and warm spices. Perfect for fall baking with less refined sugar and more natural flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Cooling Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 285 kcal
For the Fruit Base
- 3 medium-sized firm apples Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended
- 3 ripe but firm pears Bosc or Anjou work beautifully
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
For the Crumble Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats not quick-cooking
- 2/3 cup almond flour substitute with all-purpose flour if preferred
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts walnuts or pecans recommended
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar brown sugar works as an alternative
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed (or coconut oil for dairy-free version)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or 10-inch pie plate.
Core and slice the apples and pears into ¼-inch pieces, keeping them uniform for even cooking. Leave the skins on for added fiber and nutrients.
In a large bowl, toss the fruit slices with lemon juice to prevent browning and add brightness.
Add the grated ginger, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the fruit mixture. Add cornstarch and toss until the fruit is evenly coated. Transfer to your prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, almond flour, chopped nuts, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to distribute the spices evenly.
Add the cold butter cubes and vanilla extract, then use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit mixture, gently pressing down just enough to create a cohesive layer without compacting it too much.
Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any potential overflow) and bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling at the edges.
Allow your Apple Pear Crumble to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to thicken and flavors to settle.
- For a healthier version, omit the maple syrup if your fruit is particularly sweet.
- Make it gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats.
- For dairy-free, substitute the butter with coconut oil in equal amounts.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.
- Reheat individual portions in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore crispness.
- Freeze unbaked assembled crumble for up to 3 months – just add an extra 15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from frozen.
Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 80mgPotassium: 230mgFiber: 6gSugar: 26gVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 8mg
Keyword Apple Pear Crumble, Fall Dessert, Fruit Crumble, Healthy Dessert