Homemade Fruit Crumble Recipe - Apple Blueberry Crumble
Crumble desserts trace back to WWII-era Britain, when pastry ingredients were rationed. Instead of a pie crust, people used a simple topping of flour, sugar, and fat over fruit, resulting in a beloved, rustic treat. Today, crumbles have grown more creative, with fruits, nuts, oats, and plant-based swaps making them ideal for any season.
Homemade Fruit Crumble
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
Looking for a comforting yet wholesome dessert (or even breakfast)?
This apple blueberry crumble, also known as apple blueberry crisp, features warm fruit topped with a nutty oat crumble. Easy, cozy, and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients for Apple Blueberry Crumble recipe.
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
Ingredients
For the fruit filling:
5 Red or Golden Delicious apples (about 2 pounds), unpeeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
For the crumble:
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or wheat germ
2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup walnuts, very finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons canola oil
How to Make Fruit Crumble Recipe
Set your oven to 400°F and lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or an oven-safe pie dish.
In a large bowl, mix together the sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and vanilla until everything is coated well. Add the blueberries and fold them in gently so they don’t get crushed.
Crumble fruit filling ingredients in large bowl.
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
Ingredients for fruit filling mixed together with blueberries gently folded in.
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Fruit mixture spread evenly in prepared baking dish.
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
In a new bowl, combine the dry topping ingredients: oats, flour, brown sugar, flaxseed, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, and a pinch of salt.
Add the oil to the dry mix and stir until it forms a crumbly, well-coated texture.
Crumble ingredients mixed together to form a crumbly texture.
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
Distribute the topping evenly over the fruit layer.
Crumble topping spread evenly over fruit in baking dish.
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
Bake uncovered for about 40-45 minutes, until the apples are soft and the topping is golden and crisp. If it starts browning too fast, you can tent it loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes.
After baking, the topping is golden and crisp.
Photo Credit: Noemi R.
THE RECIPE
Homemade Fruit Crumble
Crumble, the warm and comforting dessert, has roots in British kitchens dating back to World War II when rationing made traditional pies harder to make. Instead of a pastry crust, fruit was topped with a buttery, crumbly mixture of flour, sugar, and butter. This simple yet delicious dish became a family favorite, and today, crumbles are enjoyed in many variations around the world, with fruit, nuts, and even granola, making it the perfect sweet treat for any season!
Ingredients
- 5 Red or Golden Delicious apples (about 2 pounds), unpeeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or wheat germ
- 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
- 1/2 cup walnuts, very finely chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400°F and lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or an oven-safe pie dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and vanilla until everything is coated well. Add the blueberries and fold them in gently so they don’t get crushed.
- Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- In a new bowl, combine the dry topping ingredients: oats, flour, brown sugar, flaxseed, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, and a pinch of salt.
- Add the oil to the dry mix and stir until it forms a crumbly, well-coated texture.
- Distribute the topping evenly over the fruit layer.
- Bake uncovered for about 40–45 minutes, until the apples are soft and the topping is golden and crisp. If it starts browning too fast, you can tent it loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
203Fat
10 gCarbs
28 gProtein
3 gFrequently Asked Questions
Q. Is fruit crumble the same as crisp?
Often used interchangeably, "crisps" typically include oats in the topping, while traditional crumbles don’t. Our version blends both styles, so you get a crisp on top and crumble beneath.
Q. Can I use frozen blueberries?
High-quality frozen berries can be used. Just thaw 20-30 minutes beforehand so they bake evenly and release juice well.
Q. How do I make this gluten-free?
Swap whole‑wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.
Q. What kind of apples work best?
Use apples that balance sweet and tart. Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Gala are great options; Granny Smith adds tartness. A mix is ideal.
Q. Can I prep it ahead?
Absolutely! Assemble the unbaked crumble and refrigerate up to 1 day. Bake it fresh when guests arrive.
This humble apple blueberry crumble is warm, nourishing, and simple. It brings together fruity sweetness and a crunchy oat-nut topping in every bite. Plus, it’s vegan and flexible. Enjoy it any time you want a cozy treat that’s also wholesome.
Meet Dr. Veronica Allende,
Founder of HealthWealth
Inspired by her Puerto Rican roots & Moroccan family, Dr. Veronica Allende blends culture, wellness & heart into every recipe. Her mission? To make healthy eating feel joyful, simple & full of meaning.
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