Easy Cranberry Apple Crumble

With Christmas around the corner, holiday hosting has begun! Of course this means celebrations, parties, & people in town! With that being said I like to stock up on fun recipes that are quick, easy, & ready to serve in minutes so I can spend more time with family & friends rather than recipe planning. My Easy Cranberry Apple Crumble doubles as dessert & breakfast, takes 25 minutes to make, and is truly so yummy. The tart flavor of the cranberries and green apples pair beautifully with the maple syrup sweetened oat crumble. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed with food preparation or just love an easy crumble recipe—save this one! It’s one of my favorites and is definitely a crowd pleaser! ❤️

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How to Make Easy Cranberry Apple Crumble

Cranberry Apple Crumble is a delightful dessert or breakfast option that's perfect for your holiday repertoire! It's a simple and light recipe, featuring a delicious oat crumble topping that adds a caramelized crunch to each bite! Here are the 8 ingredients you’ll need!

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Almond Flour
• 1 Cup Rolled Oats
• 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• ½ Cup Maple Syrup
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
• 2 Cups Cranberries
• 2 Granny Smith Apples

Quick & Easy Step-By-Step

To prepare this quick cranberry apple crumble, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Then you’ll cut the apples into 1-inch cubes. Next, in a medium frying pan, combine the cranberries and cubed apples with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Simmer this mixture over medium heat for about 5 minutes, being sure to stir every minute or so. As the mixture simmers, it will transform into a delightful cranberry apple mixture, filling your kitchen with a delicious aroma.

While the cranberries and apples are simmering, you can prepare the crumble topping. In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, oats, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon. Mix these ingredients well to create a crumbly, but cohesive mixture. This crumble topping will add a caramelized texture and flavor to your dessert.

After you've prepared the cranberry apple mixture and the crumble topping, it's time to assemble the crumble. Start by taking out a baking dish and dividing the crumble mixture in half. Press half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the baking dish, creating a firm and even layer. Then, carefully pour the cranberry apple mixture over the crumble layer. You may need to use a spoon to spread it evenly across the dish. Finally, sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the cranberry apple mixture, covering it completely.

Once you've assembled the cranberry apple crumble, it's time to bake it. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on the crumble as it bakes to prevent it from burning. When the crumble is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Serving Suggestions

The cranberry apple crumble is best served warm, allowing the flavors of the cranberries, apples, and cinnamon to meld together beautifully! You can enjoy this on its own or with a drizzle of dairy free creamer or a dollop of dairy free whipped cream for an extra tasty treat. This cranberry apple crumble is sure to be a hit with family and friends, making it the perfect dessert or breakfast for any occasion, especially around the holidays!

Recipe Variations

When it comes to making a fruit crumble, the possibilities are honestly endless! While cranberries and apples are a classic combo, there are plenty of other fruits you can use to create a breakfast or dessert tailored to your taste buds! Try adding raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, pear, pineapple, or mango to your crumble.

You could also mix things up by adding some chopped nuts, coconut flakes, homemade granola, even your favorite granola from the store to the topping for added texture and flavor. Feel free to use different variations of the topping ingredients. Try using oat flour, coconut flour, or chickpea flour instead of almond flour. Coconut oil is a great replacement for the olive oil. When it comes to the sweetener, honey, coconut sugar, and agave syrup are great options as well! You could even omit the sweetener altogether and let the sweetness of the fruit be the only ingredient contributing to the sweet flavor. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors until you find the perfect fruit crumble for you! 🍓🥭🍐

What Apples Are Best in Crumble?

Choosing the best apple for your crumble definitely comes down to preference! I am a Granny Smith apple lover through and through. I think they are the best apple in any type of apple crumble, crisp, cobbler, or pie! They have a bright, tangy flavor that's both refreshing and a little tart. I think it pairs wonderfully with the tart cranberries combined with the sweetness of the maple syrup & oat crumble topping! If you prefer a different type of apple there are so many options. Other apples with a tart flavor profile include the Braeburn, Jonathan, or Pink Lady. If you're looking for sweeter apples, you might enjoy varieties like the Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp.

What’s the Difference in a Crumble vs. Crisp vs. Cobbler vs. Streusel?

A crumble, crisp, streusel, and cobbler are all delicious desserts, but they have some differences. A crumble or crisp are basically the same thing—baked breakfast or dessert with a layer of fruit on the bottom and a crumbly topping made of some kind of flour, sweetener, oil, and most often oats. Streusel is actually a type of topping that can be used on many desserts, including pies and cakes, and it's made of flour, sugar, and butter, often with spices or nuts added. A cobbler is a bit different—it's a baked fruit dessert with a biscuit-like topping that's dropped on in small pieces, resembling cobblestones, hence the name. Each of these desserts has its own unique texture and flavor, but they're all delicious ways to enjoy a fruity dessert!

My Cranberry Apple Crumble is a healthy version of a crumble, made gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free!

What Makes this Cranberry Apple Crumble Healthy?

Great question! A traditional crumble would normally contain all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, and oats, making it a less healthy option and less nutritionally dense! I decided to go the opposite route and choose ingredients free of refined sugar and with more nutritional value. For the flour, I used almond flour, the sweetener is maple syrup, the oil is olive oil, and I used gluten free rolled oats.

Almond Flour: Almond flour is a nutritious alternative to traditional flour. It's gluten-free and low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for people with gluten sensitivities or those following a low-carb diet. Almond flour is rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber. These can help keep you feel full and satisfied for a longer period of time. It also contains vitamin E, magnesium, and manganese.

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that contains several beneficial nutrients. It's a good source of manganese & contains small amounts of zinc and potassium. Try to use pure maple syrup rather than imitation syrups, as they may contain added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Olive Oil: Olive oil is a healthy fat that is rich in monounsaturated fats. It also contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E and polyphenols. Additionally, olive oil is low in saturated fats and contains no trans fats, making it a healthier choice compared to many other cooking oils!

Gluten Free Rolled Oats: Gluten free rolled oats are a great grain option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. They are rich in fiber, and contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. Also, they’re a great source of complex carbohydrates—these help provide a steady release of energy and keep you feeling full.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Enjoy!

I hope you absolutely LOVE this Easy Cranberry Apple Crumble, and it becomes your new holiday hosting go-to, or everyday sweet treat!

Have the sweetest day & tag me on Instagram when you make this recipe! Happy holiday baking! @entirelyemmy 🍏❤️