Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe
Nothing quite beats the cozy comfort of a warm fruit crumble straight from the oven, and my Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe is my go-to for a reason. It combines the tart juiciness of blueberries with sweet, tender apples, all wrapped up in a buttery, crispy oat topping that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re looking for a weekend baking project or a simple dessert to impress friends, this crumble hits all the right notes—and I’m here to walk you through it step by step so it’s foolproof.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Fruit Balance: The combination of tart blueberries and sweet apples creates a layered fruit flavor that sings.
- Crumble with Texture: The oats and brown sugar in the topping deliver a crispy, crunchy contrast to the soft fruit underneath.
- Simple, Reliable Ingredients: This recipe uses pantry staples in a way that highlights each flavor without complication.
- Vegan-Friendly & Flexible: Using vegan butter makes it accessible for more diets without sacrificing richness.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a key role in making this Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe shine. From the fresh fruit’s natural juices to the oats that crisp up beautifully in the oven, I’ll share some tips to help you pick the best pantry and produce ingredients.
- Blueberries: Look for plump and firm ones, fresh is best but frozen works great too, just don’t thaw before mixing.
- Apples: I like firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith so they hold their shape and add tartness.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the natural tartness of the fruit; cut back if you prefer less sweet.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps prevent the apples from browning.
- All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a thickener in the filling and forms the base of the crumble topping.
- Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, comforting spice that pairs perfectly with apples and berries.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors—never skip it!
- Rolled Oats: Make the topping hearty and crunchy; don’t substitute with instant oats.
- Brown Sugar: Adds rich, caramel-like notes and moisture to the crumble topping.
- Vegan Butter: Melts into the topping for buttery flavor and crisp texture without dairy.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love that this Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe is forgiving and endlessly customizable, so feel free to switch things up according to your mood or what’s in the fridge.
- Fruit Variations: I sometimes swap apples for pears or add sliced peaches in summer, which gives a juicy twist.
- Sweetener Adjustments: If you’re cutting back on sugar, I reduce the granulated sugar in the filling and rely on brown sugar in the topping for gentle sweetness.
- Gluten-Free Version: I’ve made this with gluten-free all-purpose flour and certified gluten-free oats with fantastic results—just watch the baking time as it can vary slightly.
- Dairy-Free & Vegan Swaps: Coconut oil melts differently but adds a lovely flavor; definitely try it if you like a hint of tropical warmth.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe
Step 1: Prepping the Fruit with Love
Start by peeling, coring, and thinly slicing your apples—this helps them cook evenly and soften just right in the oven. Combine the apples and fresh blueberries in a large bowl, then add sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Stir gently to coat the fruit without smashing the berries. Trust me, being gentle preserves their beautiful shape and keeps the filling intact.
Step 2: Preparing the Crumble Topping
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in melted vegan butter, stirring it gently until you get that perfect crumbly texture. Here’s a little trick: once combined, squeeze some of the mixture between your fingers to make clusters—those golden bits are my favorite part!
Step 3: Assembling and Baking
Transfer your luscious fruit mix into a greased or sprayed 9-inch pie pan or 2-quart baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit, making sure to maintain some larger clumps you formed earlier. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 35–40 minutes until the topping is golden and you see bubbly fruit along the sides. The aroma alone will make you want to dive right in!
Step 4: Serving Warm with a Smile
This crumble tastes best warm, fresh out of the oven—especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream melting over the top. Nothing makes this sweeter moment more magical.
Pro Tips for Making Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe
- Choose Firm Apples: They ensure the fruit filling isn’t mushy but nicely tender after baking.
- Don’t Overmix the Fruit: Gently folding prevents berries from breaking and keeps your filling pretty.
- Crumble Clumps Make a Difference: Forming clusters with hands results in delightful crunchy bites.
- Watch the Baking Time: If your topping browns too quickly, cover lightly with foil but keep baking until fruit bubbles.
How to Serve Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top this crumble with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream because it melts into the warm fruit like a dream, but whipped coconut cream is a beautiful dairy-free alternative. A sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds or a dusting of cinnamon adds pretty texture and aroma if you’re feeling fancy.
Side Dishes
This crumble pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad for a light lunch or alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy after-dinner treat. If you want to add some protein, Greek yogurt or a dollop of creamy ricotta balances the sweetness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I love serving individual portions in little ramekins topped with edible flowers or mint leaves. Another fun idea is layering crumble and fruit in clear glasses to make parfaits—perfect for summertime gatherings or a pretty brunch spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store leftovers in the fridge—they keep well for about 3-4 days. It’s easy to reheat individual portions in the microwave or the whole dish in the oven, which brings back that fresh-baked magic.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this crumble both before and after baking with success. If freezing unbaked, wrap tightly and bake from frozen—add extra baking time. For baked leftovers, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual. It’s a fantastic make-ahead dessert when you’re short on time!
Reheating
To reheat, I usually cover the crumble loosely with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, just until the fruit is bubbly again and the topping is crisp. Avoid microwaving too long, or the topping can lose its crunch.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen blueberries in this Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work wonderfully here. Just keep them frozen until you’re ready to mix them with the apples and other filling ingredients. This helps keep the mixture from becoming watery. You might need to add a little extra flour to help thicken juices released during baking.
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What type of apples are best for baking in this recipe?
For baking, I recommend firm apples that hold their shape like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. They provide a nice tartness that balances the sweetness and won’t turn to mush when baked.
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How do I make this Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and make sure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats. I’ve had great success without changing any other ingredients, just keep an eye on the baking time as it may vary slightly.
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Can I prepare this crumble ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the crumble a day before baking. Keep it covered in the fridge, then bake it fresh the next day. This is super handy when you want to save time on serving day.
Final Thoughts
This Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe feels like a warm hug in dessert form—it’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want simple ingredients to come together in a genuinely comforting way. The crunchy, buttery topping paired with juicy fruit just can’t be beaten. I hope you give it a try soon, and savor every delicious bite like I do when I make it for my family. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll want this crumble in your baking rotation forever.
Print
Apple and Blueberry Crumble Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A delightful Apple and Blueberry Crumble combining fresh apples and juicy blueberries topped with a crunchy oat and brown sugar crumble. This easy-to-make dessert is baked to golden perfection and served warm, perfect with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Ingredients
Apple Blueberry Filling
- 3 cups blueberries
- 2 medium apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Crumble Topping
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly spray a 9-inch pie pan or 2-quart baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, gently combine blueberries, sliced apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and salt until the fruit is evenly coated.
- Transfer Filling: Pour the combined fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish and set aside while preparing the topping.
- Make Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, mix together flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted vegan butter and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Assemble Crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit in the dish. Use your hands to press some topping into larger chunks to create delicious clusters when baked.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40 minutes until the topping is golden brown, the apples are tender, and the sides are bubbling.
- Serve: Serve the crumble warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a comforting dessert experience. Enjoy!
Notes
- Frozen blueberries can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- You can substitute apples with other fruits such as strawberries, peaches, or pears.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free all-purpose flour and certified gluten-free oats.
- Coconut oil can be used as a replacement for vegan butter in the crumble topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
