Easy & Healthy Apple and Pear Crumble: Your Go-To Fall Dessert & Breakfast Treat

Discover the ultimate Easy Apple and Pear Crumble recipe featuring a delightful blend of fresh, in-season apples and pears, topped with a simple yet irresistible oat crumble. This versatile dish is perfect when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert, or paired with creamy yogurt for a nutritious and satisfying breakfast!

There’s something truly special about cooking with fresh fruit, especially when it’s in its prime season. While spring brings delightful treats like strawberry crumble, as soon as the crisp air of autumn arrives, my kitchen shifts to the comforting aromas of fall fruits. 🍂 This healthy apple and pear crumble perfectly captures the essence of the season, making it an ideal choice for holiday gatherings or a simple weeknight treat.

This delicious fruit crumble combines the sweetness of apples and pears with a wholesome, slightly crisp oat topping. What makes this particular recipe stand out is its simplicity and natural sweetness from maple syrup, offering a healthier twist on a classic comfort food. It’s an effortless dessert that comes together quickly, allowing you more time to enjoy the cozy moments of fall.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple and Pear Crumble Recipe

This healthy apple and pear crumble isn’t just another dessert; it’s a comforting, versatile, and nutritious dish that caters to a variety of needs and tastes. Here’s why it’s bound to become a favorite in your household:

• Effortlessly Easy Recipe: Forget the tedious task of peeling fruit! This simple apple pear crumble eliminates the need to peel apples, saving you precious prep time. Its quick baking time also means you can enjoy this warm, flavorful dessert much sooner than many other traditional apple crisp recipes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a speedy, impressive treat.
• Dairy-Free and Soy-Free Delight: Finding delicious desserts that accommodate dietary restrictions can be a challenge. This delightful apple and pear crumble is naturally dairy-free and soy-free, making it an excellent option for children and adults with allergies or intolerances to milk or soy. Everyone can enjoy a generous serving without worry.
• Kid-Approved Goodness: What’s not to love about a warm fruit crumble bursting with juicy pears and crisp apples? This recipe strikes the perfect balance of sweetness, making it appealing to even the pickiest eaters. It’s sweet enough to be a treat but wholesome enough to be served for dessert, breakfast, or even a wholesome snack throughout the day.
• Packed with Fiber: Each serving of this healthy fruit crumble boasts an impressive 6 grams of fiber. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system, aiding in food transit and promoting a feeling of fullness that lasts longer. Enjoying a dessert that is both delicious and beneficial for your health is a win-win!

Dietitian Tips for a Healthier Crumble

Tip 1: Maximize Fiber with Fruit Skins! One of the easiest and most effective ways to boost the fiber content of your meals is by leaving the skins on apples and pears when you eat or cook with them. Research consistently shows that fruit skins are packed with beneficial fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, offering significant nutritional advantages. By not peeling them for this apple and pear crumble, you not only save time but also enhance the dish’s health profile, contributing to better digestive health and satiety.

Tip 2: Versatile Meal or Snack! While many pear apple crumble recipes are traditionally reserved for dessert, this wholesome version is perfectly suited for any time of day. Its balanced sweetness and rich fiber content make it an excellent choice for a hearty breakfast or a satisfying snack. Enjoy the leftovers of this delicious fruit crisp on its own, layered with Greek yogurt for added protein, or alongside a glass of milk for a quick and easy, well-rounded meal. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate more fruit into your daily routine!

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Apple Pear Crumble

Creating a truly outstanding apple and pear crumble starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at the components that make this recipe shine, along with some helpful tips and substitutions.

• Apples: For this easy apple crumble, I frequently use Gala apples because their natural sweetness and crisp texture are always a hit, and we often have them on hand. However, other sweet varieties like Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp apples would also be fantastic choices. If you prefer a more traditional apple pie flavor with a slight tang, opt for tart apples such as Granny Smith. Regardless of your choice, apples are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, all essential for a healthy diet.
• Bartlett Pears (Sweet Pears): These pears are highly recommended for their exceptional sweetness, juiciness, and distinct flavor, as noted by California Pears. Like apples, Bartlett pears are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C, adding a tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality to the fruit filling. Their unique texture complements the slightly firmer apples beautifully, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and consistencies.
• Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats form the backbone of our wholesome crumble topping. They are an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which contributes to digestive health and prolonged satiety. Beyond fiber, oats also provide vital nutrients like phosphorus, thiamine, magnesium, and zinc, making the topping not only delicious but also incredibly nourishing.
• Walnuts: These brain-shaped nuts are truly exceptional. According to California Walnuts, they are the only nut significantly high in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a crucial fatty acid for heart health. Additionally, walnuts are a good source of protein, fiber, and magnesium, adding a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the crumble topping.
• Flour: I prefer using white whole wheat flour (also known as Golden Wheat Flour) in this recipe. It offers more fiber and a pleasant texture compared to regular all-purpose flour, enhancing the nutritional value of the crumble. If white whole wheat flour isn’t available, standard all-purpose flour works perfectly. For those with gluten sensitivities, a gluten-free flour blend is a great alternative. One happy commenter even reported excellent results using almond flour, showcasing the recipe’s adaptability!
• Maple Syrup: To achieve that perfect touch of sweetness and a rich, autumnal flavor, pure maple syrup is the star. It naturally sweetens the oat topping, imparting a distinct maple essence that pairs wonderfully with the fruit and spices. If maple syrup isn’t accessible, dark brown sugar can be used as a suitable substitute, offering a similar depth of flavor.
• Olive Oil: In keeping with a healthier profile, extra virgin olive oil replaces traditional butter in this recipe. Olive oil is celebrated for its richness in monounsaturated fats, its abundance of antioxidants, and its well-documented anti-inflammatory properties. For alternative healthy fat options, avocado oil or melted coconut oil can also be used, providing similar benefits and a delicious outcome.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is crucial for brightening the flavors of the fruit filling. It adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the apples and pears, preventing the crumble from tasting overly sweet and enhancing the overall complexity of the dish.
• Cranberries (Optional): While originally featured in the ingredient photo, cranberries are now listed as an optional addition. They contribute a beautiful pop of color and a wonderfully tart flavor that can elevate the crumble, especially during the holiday season. If you appreciate a balance of sweet and tart, don’t hesitate to include them!
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Salt: These spices are non-negotiable for creating that classic, warm, and inviting fall flavor profile. Cinnamon and nutmeg provide aromatic depth, while a pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, bringing out the natural sweetness of the fruit and the richness of the topping.

How to Make This Easy Apple and Pear Crumble

Crafting this delicious apple and pear crumble is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s a visual guide and brief overview of the simple steps involved. For a comprehensive list of all ingredients and detailed instructions, please scroll down to the full recipe card below.

1. Prepare the Fruit Filling: Begin by combining your freshly chopped apples and pears in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the bright lemon juice and one teaspoon of warm cinnamon. This mixture forms the flavorful base of your crumble.
2. Craft the Oat Topping: In a separate, smaller bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients for the topping – the hearty oats, flour, chopped walnuts, and remaining spices. Then, pour in the pure maple syrup and olive oil, mixing until a crumbly texture forms. Set this delicious mixture aside.
3. Assemble the Crumble: Transfer the prepared apple and pear mixture into a lightly greased 9×9 baking dish, spreading it out evenly to cover the bottom. This ensures even cooking and a consistent fruit layer.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Generously spread the oat topping over the fruit filling, ensuring a delightful, crunchy layer. Bake the crumble in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 25-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is tender and bubbly.

Helpful Tips for the Best Apple and Pear Crumble

• Keep the Skins On: For added fiber, nutrients, and a beautiful rustic texture, there’s no need to peel the apples and pears! Simply wash them thoroughly and core them before chopping.
• Chop into Small Pieces: To ensure the fruit cooks evenly and the skins become barely noticeable once baked, cut your apples and pears into small, bite-sized pieces. This also makes each spoonful a perfect blend of fruit and topping.
• Serve Warm for Optimal Flavor: This apple and pear crumble is absolutely divine when served warm, straight from the oven. The warmth enhances the aroma of the spices and the tenderness of the fruit.
• Proper Storage: If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), allow the crumble to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Optional Toppings: While this fruit crisp is incredibly flavorful on its own, feel free to get creative with toppings. A scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a spoonful of plain or Greek yogurt can elevate the experience.
• Introducing Cranberries: If you’re considering adding cranberries for a tart kick and festive color, remember that their tartness might be intense for some, especially children. Start by adding just a few the first time you try them, and adjust the quantity in subsequent batches based on preference.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple and Pear Crumble

Related Fruit & Fall Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this delightful apple and pear crumble, be sure to explore these other fantastic fruit-filled and fall-inspired recipes from our kitchen:

• Easy Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce: A simple and healthy staple.
• Air Fryer Apple Slices: A quick and healthy snack option.
• Healthy Apple Cranberry Sauce: Perfect for holiday meals or everyday enjoyment.
• Apple Baked Oatmeal: A comforting and nutritious breakfast to start your day.

More Delicious and Healthy Recipes to Try

Did you love this Easy Apple and Pear Crumble recipe? Please take a moment to leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below. A 5-star rating is truly the best compliment and helps others discover this delightful recipe!

Don’t forget to snap a picture of your gorgeous crumble with your favorite topping and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see your delicious creation!

Easy Apple and Pear Crumble

Kristi