Peanut Butter Apple Crumble (gluten-free, vegan, whole grain)
This peanut butter apple crumble has a delicious, natural peanut butter-based topping and is incredibly simple to put together. Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free and 100% whole grain.
This recipe actually started off as peanut butter apple crumb bars. But that got complicated. My choice was to either most likely attempt it another 3 times before giving up and feeling defeated OR I could just turn it into a crumble. I obviously decided to take the easy way out, and I’m so thankful that I did, because there’s no way bars could have beaten these peanut butter crumbles!
I originally had a whole wheat topping, but then I saw a big bag of oat flour sitting there and thought that the gluten-free folks might appreciate me using it. So now my gluten-free friends and my whole grain-loving friends can be happy together (since oats are also whole grain!)
You can use four ramekins or two 5″ tart dishes. The sides of my dishes were about 1″ high. If yours are a lot smaller, then consider dividing the crumble between two tart dishes and a small ramekin. The recipe can be easily doubled or even quadrupled if you prefer a larger quantity. Just be sure to refrigerate it to prevent the topping from becoming soft overnight.
The first time I made this, I didn’t add any cinnamon. I thought that peanut butter and maple syrup were too perfect together to mess with, but… the apple portion didn’t taste like anything. The peanut butter topping, which is almost like a crumbly peanut butter cookie, totally overwhelmed it. So the next time, I added a little cinnamon.
With the addition of cinnamon, they were perfect. But when I started taking the pictures, I realized that the crumbles looked boring on their own, and figuring that ice cream would perhaps be a strange combination (and not wanting to go to the grocery store), I chose to go the peanut butter route.
These no-bake peanut butter cookies that I posted a few months ago are made by boiling peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut oil and tossing in some oats. Leave out the oats and coconut oi,l and that’s what we’ve got on top of these crumbles! The only difference is that I added a little more maple syrup. The sauce was just too thick without it.
If you’re used to my somewhat reduced sugar treats, don’t be surprised when you take a bite of these peanut butter crumbles. They’re sweet. As sweet as regular desserts. Especially with the added peanut butter maple sauce! I know some of you may feel compelled to reduce the sugar, but remember that this will likely affect the shape and structure of the crumbles. If you do experiment, let us know how it goes because I could always do with less sugar!
Peanut Butter Apple Crumble (gluten-free, vegan, whole grain)
Ingredients
For the peanut butter topping:
- 1/4 cup (64 grams) salted natural peanut butter room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) refined coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon (17 grams) light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon (29 grams) oat flour if you're gluten-free, use GF oat flour
- 1/4 cup (22 grams) rolled oats if you're gluten-free, use GF oats
- 1/16 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
For the apples:
- 3 cups apples peeled, cored and diced, about 3 medium apples / 555 grams apples pre-coring and peeling and 350 grams after
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or more, if desired
- pinch salt
For the peanut butter maple sauce:
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon salted natural peanut butter the kind with just salt and peanuts
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, sugar and maple syrup. Add in the oat flour, oats, baking powder and salt and stir until well combined. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes while preparing the rest of the recipe.1/4 cup (64 grams) salted natural peanut butter, 2 tablespoons (28 grams) refined coconut oil, 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon (17 grams) light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon (29 grams) oat flour, 1/4 cup (22 grams) rolled oats, 1/16 teaspoon baking powder, 1/16 teaspoon salt
- Place the apples in a medium mixing bowl and add the remaining apple portion ingredients. Stir until well combined.3 cups apples, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice, 2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch salt
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and grease two 5″ tart dishes.
- Divide the apple mixture between the two dishes. Top with the peanut butter topping.
- Place the crumbles on a baking sheet to catch any possible spills. Bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is firm and the apples have started to bubble lightly.
- Let cool for about 20 minutes before serving. Cover and keep at room temperature for up to 12 hours and then refrigerate (which prevents the topping from softening) for up to 3 days.
- Before serving, prepare the peanut butter maple sauce. In a saucepan, mix together all sauce ingredients over medium heat. At first it won’t appear to come together well. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil and while continuing to stir constantly, boil for about 30 seconds. It should have thickened a bit and should you have any leftovers after pouring it over your crumbles, will continue to thicken while cooling. The sauce will be too firm to pour at room temperature. To liquefy it again, reheat it on the stove over low heat, while stirring constantly, until liquid.2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon salted natural peanut butter, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. This recipe yields 3-4 servings. The nutritional info was calculated based on 4 servings.
Nice touch with the maple peanut butter sauce. This is definitely making me drool. The perfect use for apples this season.
Thanks, Renee!
Peanut butter and apples are probably one of my favorite fall snacks when apples are just perfect, crispy and tart. So I love the sound of this dessert, especially with your crumble topping. Also would it be horrible to go get that scoop of ice cream and have the sauce on top because I’m liking the sound of it.
Haha. Not horrible at all! It’d be super sweet, but maybe even more fun. ;)
I adore apples and peanut butter together, so I’m all about trying this crumble. Although the bars sound good, I think the crumble sounds amazing. Maple PB is also my fave, so I’m betting I’d get slightly addicted to this!
I have to admit that it’s terribly addictive. They were gone all too quickly!
Totally genius! Love the twist on apple crumble with the peanut butter. So, so good!
Thanks, Kellie! It was indeed pretty delicious. :)
What a great idea!! I’ve had peanut butter and apples as a snack – but never thought to put it in a dessert together. So clever!
It’s definitely worth a try!
Peanut butter and apples together is a thing of beauty! Loving this crumble!
Thanks a bunch, Trish!
This looks heavenly! Love the idea of using peanut butter in a crumble. Fantastic!
Thank you! It really was. :)
This looks great. I love the chunks of apple and that top, oh that top looks wonderful.
Thanks so much, Michelle! :)
This combo of apples and peanut butter are such a crowd pleaser. Yes please I’ll take two!
Both the crumbles?! My, my. You naughty girl. ;)
Yum! What a fabulous idea :)
Thanks so much, Emma! I was pretty surprised by how well it turned out, considering that it does sounds a little unusual. :)
As I said on Facebook, you outdid yourself with this one, Erin. Peanut butter and apple is one of my favorite snacks, and I can only imagine how good that combo tastes in a crumble.
Thanks again, Dara! I appreciate it. :)
This sounds wonderful and I love that you added cinnamon!
Thanks, Theresa!
What a fabulous recipe1 I love your sauce and will be adding it to my recipes to try. Pinned!
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
How funny I’ve never made a combo of peanut butter and apple in a dessert yet my daughter and i enjoy eating apples and PB for a snack! Love this crumble!
Thanks, Brenda! It sounds like sort of a strange combination for dessert so I totally get it.
Probably would break the gluten/vegan theme, but I would love to eat this with ice cream on top!
I don’t have any dietary restrictions so I’ll join you! ;)
Looks great and super fall-ish. Definitely pinning to my fall entertaining board!
Thanks so much for pinning!
Oh wow, I LOVE crumbles of any kind and this looks and sounds amazing! I never would have thought to use peanut butter and I just love it!
Thank you, Kimberly!
I am seriously DYING over this! Yes, cinnamon makes everything better :) I love the ingredients!
Thanks so much, Lauren!
I totally understand about recipe ideas not working out the first time! This crumble looks like a smash hit!
Right? It’s more fun to just be lazy sometimes, especially if that means an even more delicious version. :D
Oh my gosh, Erin. You’ve totally outdone yourself. This is literally everything I love rolled into one beautiful package! Delicious!
Thanks, Alexa! I tried. ;)