Why You’ll Love Apple Crumble with Maple Syrup Recipe
This apple crumble is simple enough for an everyday dessert but delicious enough to serve for a special occasion. Honeycrisp apples provide a wonderful balance of sweetness and tartness while holding their texture nicely during baking.
The combination of rolled oats, almond flour, and walnuts creates a rustic topping with plenty of crunch. Maple syrup brings everything together with its distinctive caramel-like sweetness, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla give the dessert a warm and inviting flavor.
Another advantage is that there is no pie crust to prepare or roll out. Once the apples are sliced and the topping is mixed, the oven does most of the work.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the apple filling:
- Honeycrisp apples
- Ground cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Cornstarch
- Maple syrup
For the crumble topping:
- Old-fashioned rolled oats
- Almond flour
- Finely chopped walnuts
- Ground cinnamon
- Maple syrup
- Melted butter
Honeycrisp apples work especially well because they have a crisp texture and naturally sweet-tart flavor. Cornstarch helps thicken the juices released by the apples as they bake, while maple syrup provides sweetness without overpowering the fruit.
The topping combines hearty oats with almond flour and walnuts for a crunchy contrast to the soft apples underneath. Melted butter helps the ingredients come together and encourages the topping to turn golden in the oven.
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cut the apples in half and remove the cores. Thinly slice four of the apples. Grate the remaining apple using a box grater. The grated apple helps create a softer, juicier filling around the slices.
- Transfer all of the prepared apples to a 3-quart baking dish, such as a 9×13-inch baking dish or a similar-sized pan.
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and maple syrup to the apples. Toss until the fruit is evenly coated and the cornstarch is well distributed.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, almond flour, finely chopped walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup, and melted butter. Stir until everything is evenly moistened and a crumbly topping forms.
- Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the apples. Try to cover the fruit from edge to edge without pressing the topping firmly into the filling.
- Bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until the apples are tender and bubbling and the crumble topping is lightly golden.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the apple crumble to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. This short resting period allows the filling to settle and thicken slightly.
- Spoon the warm crumble into individual bowls. Serve as is or add whipped topping, vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Servings and timing
This Apple Crumble with Maple Syrup makes approximately 6 servings.
Preparation and baking take about 1 hour and 20 minutes in total. The crumble itself bakes for approximately 50 minutes at 350°F and should rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
For the best texture, serve the crumble while it is still pleasantly warm but has had enough time for the apple juices to settle.
Variations
For a different apple flavor, replace some or all of the Honeycrisp apples with Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, or another firm baking apple. Combining sweet and tart varieties can give the filling additional depth.
For a nut-free version, leave out the walnuts and add a little more rolled oats. If you enjoy extra crunch, pecans can be used instead of walnuts.
You can also add warming spices such as ground ginger, cardamom, or allspice. Keep the amounts modest so the maple and apple flavors remain prominent.
For additional fruit, mix fresh or frozen cranberries, blueberries, pears, or blackberries into the apples before baking. Tart cranberries are particularly good for balancing the sweetness of the maple syrup.
For an even more indulgent dessert, serve the warm crumble with vanilla or caramel ice cream and an additional light drizzle of maple syrup.
Storage/Reheating
Allow leftover apple crumble to cool before transferring it to an airtight container or covering the baking dish securely. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat an individual serving, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until warmed through. Heating times will vary depending on the portion and microwave.
For a crisper topping, reheat the crumble in a 350°F oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until warmed through. Loosely covering the dish for part of the reheating time can help prevent excessive browning.
The crumble can also be frozen. Once completely cooled, transfer portions to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
1. What are the best apples for apple crumble?
Firm apples that maintain some texture during baking are ideal. Honeycrisp apples are an excellent choice because they are naturally crisp, juicy, and sweet with a little tartness. Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and similar baking apples can also work well.
2. Do I need to peel the apples?
No. You can leave the skins on for additional texture and a more rustic crumble. If you prefer an especially soft and smooth apple filling, peel the apples before slicing and grating them.
3. Why is one apple grated?
Grating one of the apples helps it break down more quickly during baking. It combines with the juices, maple syrup, and cornstarch to create a softer filling that surrounds the larger apple slices.
4. Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?
You can, but the texture will be different. Old-fashioned rolled oats create a heartier, more noticeable crumble texture, while quick oats tend to produce a softer and finer topping.
5. Can I make this apple crumble without walnuts?
Yes. Simply leave out the walnuts for a nut-free topping and add a little extra rolled oats if necessary. The crumble will still have plenty of texture.
6. Can I prepare apple crumble ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the apple filling and crumble topping ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. Assemble the dessert shortly before baking for the best topping texture.
7. How do I know when the apple crumble is finished baking?
The crumble is ready when the apple filling is bubbling around the edges, the apples are tender when pierced, and the oat topping has developed a lightly golden color.
8. Why is my apple crumble watery?
Apples naturally release juice while baking. Cornstarch helps thicken that liquid, but the crumble can still appear loose immediately after it comes out of the oven. Allowing it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving helps the filling settle and thicken.
9. What can I serve with maple apple crumble?
Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, especially when the crumble is warm. Whipped cream, Greek yogurt, frozen yogurt, or a small drizzle of maple syrup are also delicious additions.
10. Can I freeze apple crumble?
Yes. Cool the baked crumble completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze it for up to 3 months, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and reheat it before serving.
Conclusion
Apple Crumble with Maple Syrup is an easy, cozy dessert that combines juicy Honeycrisp apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and the rich sweetness of maple syrup. The oat, almond flour, and walnut topping provides just the right amount of buttery crunch to contrast with the tender fruit underneath.
With straightforward preparation and familiar ingredients, this crumble is a wonderful option for family dinners, fall entertaining, holiday gatherings, or a simple weekend treat. Serve it warm on its own or finish each bowl with vanilla ice cream, whipped topping, or Greek yogurt for an especially satisfying dessert.
Apple Crumble with Maple Syrup
A warm apple crumble made with juicy Honeycrisp apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, oats, walnuts, and a buttery almond flour topping. It’s a cozy dessert with naturally sweet maple flavor and a crisp, nutty finish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 5 large Honeycrisp apples
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Halve and core the apples. Thinly slice 4 of the apples and grate the remaining apple using a box grater.
- Place the prepared apples in a 3-quart pan, 9×13-inch baking dish, or equivalent. Toss with 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, chopped walnuts, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and melted butter. Stir until evenly combined.
- Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 50 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden.
- Remove the crumble from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before spooning into bowls.
Notes
- Serve warm with whipped topping, vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- For the best texture, use old fashioned rolled oats rather than quick oats.
- Store leftover crumble covered in the refrigerator and reheat individual portions before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
