Vegan Apple Crumble is easy, delicious and healthy! Dang! A tripleheader. It's also a dump-and-go slow cooker recipe that is as good for dessert as it is for breakfast. 15 min. prep and the crockpot does the rest.
A slow cooker is one of the most popular appliances out there for the home cook and I share a good amount of crock-pot recipes here on the blog.
And it becomes super convenient when the only thing you have to do is throw in the ingredients, set it and forget it.
That’s why I always try to come up with new and easy crockpot dump-and-go recipes that everyone loves. That’s just what this sweet apple crumble treat is all about.
Seriously, I don’t think it even takes 15 minutes to prep this. The only thing you do here is peel and chop the apples, and it takes very little time to do that. The rest of the ingredients you just mix in.
It takes a little time to peel the apples but you should see me rip through a bushel. I'm kind of proud of that. Naturally, it centers around food and this recipe is a super easy recipe to prep.
I think that happened because I really really love apples. How versatile can one fruit get! And you don't have to peel a bushel for this recipe. There are only two.
Table of Contents
A Vegan Apple Crumble Recipe with Oats
This apple granola crumble is a much lighter and healthier version than usual but it is so going to please your taste buds, unanimously.
I think this is one of my favorite easy-to-make breakfast recipes.
- It is filled with sweet tender apples that are flavored with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. I really love apples, because they are such a versatile fruit and rich in fiber. And this crumble is packed with their naturally sweet taste.
- This is a sweetish crockpot recipe but the sweetener is maple syrup. That makes me feel a lot better about sweet recipes when maple syrup is used instead of refined sugars.
- You can easily adjust the amount to balance out the flavors based on your preference.
- It is meant to be a sweet crockpot recipe. One that you can enjoy as a warm bowl of breakfast in the morning. I wouldn't scoff if you had it for dessert either. Then you’d be just like me!
- It has that buttery texture and still a slight hint of crispness from the Granny Smith apples and your chosen granola.
Chefs Tips
- I also used half a cup bran flakes and I love how they get soaked with the spiced juices from the apples. Just thinking about it again makes my mouth water!
- You can see that my granola had raisins in it for this round of slow cooker apple crumble. They show in the crockpot photos but not in the cereal that I used for the finished 'glamor' pictures. I used chunkier granola for that one.
- Here's a picture of the ingredients stirred and waiting for some heat.
- You only cook this recipe for 4 to 6 hours on low. How fun is it to make breakfast in a crockpot and have it steaming hot and ready to go with little effort.
- Feel free to add nuts too. I love walnuts or pecans in this dish to add that extra crunchiness with each bite! And they go well with apples.
Apple Crumble Kudos!
I want to share a little something with you. Do you know who Dr. Axe is? If not, he is a very popular 'healthy' doctor with a significant following on the internet.
Well, guess what? He chose this recipe to be featured in one of his columns about crockpot breakfasts. So that means this Slow Cooker Apple Granola Crumble is out there on a bigger platform and I'm feeling good.
📋 Recipe
Slow Cooker Apple Granola Crumble
Ingredients
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- 1 cup granola - your favorite cereal, I mixed ½ cup granola and ½ cup bran flakes
- ⅛ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup apple juice
- 2 tablespoon dairy free butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Peel, core and cut the apples into thick slices and then chunks. This is what I did. Cut the apple in half - then half again and then those halves in half. This gives you 8 thick slices. Cut those thick slices in chunks - like about 3 per slice.
- Add everything to the crock pot and stir well.
- Cover and cook on low 4 hours.
Nutmeg Nanny
I guess I should add that I would eat it for breakfast...and dessert....haha 🙂
Rose | The Clean Dish
We're getting a new crock pot soon and I'm collecting recipes. It hasn't even occurred to me to make breakfast in it! Genius! I'll bookmark this recipe 🙂
Lora @cakeduchess
Apple desserts are my total weakness!! Love your apple crumble...I bet the house smelled incredible while it was baking:))
Marly
This is one of those recipes you could eat any time of day. Love it!
Tracy Piedmont
This looks wonderful! But could you substitute something else for the maple syrup? I'm not a big fan of the maple syrup taste. Can't wait to try it if I can make that substitution. Thanks!!!
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you can substitute honey or any one of the new agave syrups.
Aimee B.
This looks amazing! I'm planning on making it for the 4th and serving with a scoop of vanilla soy ice cream. What size slow cooker did you use for this? I'm thinking I may use my smaller one. Thanks for the great recipe!
Ginny McMeans
That is great Aimee and it will perfect with non-dairy ice cream. I used the small cooker. I think it is a 2 qt. or 2-1/2 qt. size. 2 qts. will be plenty big enough.
Belle Ogborn
This is amazing recipe , it must be good, yummy and healthy ! Love to try it for my son's birthday coming up soon ! Can i double the ingredients for a big family ? Thank you !
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you can double it up. Stir/fold, lightly, around the edges to keep it from burning. Maybe check it at 2 hours and 3 hours. It all depends on your slow cooker.
Heathur
Making this now!!! 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Oh, boy!
Bonnie Anglin
This looks so good. Do you know how many calories? This will be my first attempt at cooking vegan. I am trying to ween my family into the idea, especially my daughter.
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Bonnie! I do not know any of the calories of my recipes. I have searched a couple of different calorie counter apps but I wasn't sure they were accurate. I'll have to give it a try again. I hope your family and daughter Loovvvees this recipes.
Dynamite
This sounds great, I am anxious to make it tomorrow as soon as I get me some apples
Theresa
Hello,
I'm just trying this recipe right now. In one spot it says to cook on low for 6-8 hours but in another it says 4. Which should I do? Thank you!
Ginny McMeans
Sorry Theresa - it is 4 to 6 hours. It will not hurt it to go 8 but you would need to stir it around the middle edge to keep it from burning.
Lisa Zdunski
Have you ever made this on a larger scale for a group? Not really any reason I couldn't just multiply?
Ginny McMeans
No problem at all. Multiply and serve it up. 🙂 I would stir at the center sides (where it could be sticking) at about 2 hours and maybe even 3 hours to make sure it isn't burning at the center hottest spot of the slow cooker.
Violinbabe
Lisa, how did this work for you? I am thinking of doing this for a larger group, too. Any tips?
Thanks!
Jan-Marie
I make this recipe often and have doubled and even tripled it. It works fine. I've even made it and baked it in the oven. I'm making it again for a breakfast tomorrow but just realized my Instant Pot can't do the delay function on slow cook, so I will do both slow cook and bake.
Ginny McMeans
Wow! Love your adventures in cooking. You have done more with this recipe than I have. Thanks so much for all of the information. 🙂
Chantal
For the cup of granola cereal, would steel cut oats work okay? 😮
Ginny McMeans
That just might work Chantal but you would have to cook steel oats longer. I havn't tried it so I am not sure how well the apples will hold up over a longer time. Here is another recipe that I have on the blog. https://veganinthefreezer.com/slow-cooker-irish-oatmeal/
Amy Kuystermans
Has anyone tried adding frozen fruit instead of the apples?
Priscilla
I was wondering if there is something I can use instead of apple juice? Apple juice is not something I ever have on hand, don't want to buy a bottle and waste it 🙁 TIA
Ginny McMeans
Hi Priscilla. I have not tried this but I believe you could actually use water. It won't be quite as strong as an apple flavor but I still think it would taste really good.
CAROL CERWINSKY
what can you use in place of vegan buttter
Ginny McMeans
Coconut Oil would work great Carol.
Pamela
Could you use apple cider instead of apple juice?
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you sure can Pamela.
Sonia Eggleston
I need to feed a crowd, and 3 cups won't do it - have you made this in larger amounts, and if so, any adjustments in ingredients and / or time in the crock?
Ginny McMeans
Yes you can do it in larger quantities Sonia. Double or triple. Just don't forget to se a foil liner. A wider crockpot than just a 3 qt. slow cooker should be used though. A large round one or an oval.
Sonia Eggleston
I usually use a plastic crock liner...any reason for a foil liner instead?
Ginny McMeans
No, not at all Sonia. That will work great!
Trudy
I have cooked this for my family twice now and everyone loves it! I double everything and substitute a couple things (use reg. butter & wasn't sure about the granola ratio but I use 2 C...of whatever I have).
Magically deliscious & healthy.
This recipe is a keeper
Just HAD to thank you!
Ginny McMeans
You are very welcome Trudy and thanks for letting me know 🙂
Kat
I have vegan Margarine is that okay to use or does it have to be butter? 🙂
Thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Vegan margarine is great Kat!
Hannah
How many servings does this make?
Ginny McMeans
It makes 3 cups Hannah so I would say 2 servings of 1 1/2 cups each.
Edyta at Innocent Delight
I love how simple is this recipe. i will be making it soon for my family!
Jacque
I will be pinning this for later. Thanks for sharing!
Jillian
I love making apple crumble and I am going to love making this in the slow cooker!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets
This sounds fabulous. Pinning and hoping to try it soon!
Brian Jones
Oh boy, that sounds like a great warming comforting treat, a big dollop of custard and I would be well away!
Susana
I made this morning and this crumble is fantastic! My husband and I are impressed with your recipes, Ginny. Thanks so much.
Ginny McMeans
You are very welcome Susana and thank you for your kind words too!
Eliza
Didn't have any apple juice so I just used water and left out the maple syrup (staying away from sugar as much a possible to prevent migraines) and it still tastes GREAT! Thank you!