Vegan Desserts
Ultimate Vegan Apple Crumble with Toasted Oat Topping
This comforting dessert features a jammy, spiced apple filling tucked under a thick layer of toasted oat crumble. By using chilled refined coconut oil, we achieve a distinct pebbly texture that holds its crunch against the softened fruit for the perfect bite.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Serves
- 6
- Level
- Easy
- Per serving
- 385 kcal
Method
Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan/375°F).
In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced Bramley apples with the ground cinnamon and maple syrup until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into a deep 20cm baking dish, pressing them down slightly so they are level.
In a separate bowl, combine the plain flour, jumbo rolled oats, and demerara sugar.
Add the chilled, solid refined coconut oil to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, rub the oil into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some larger pea-sized clumps. Rubbing the chilled fat into the flour by hand creates small, fat-coated flour pockets; this technique ensures a short, biscuit-like texture that resists soaking up the fruit juices during baking.
Fold the chopped pecans into the crumble mixture for extra crunch.
Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the apples, making sure not to pack it down too tightly so air can circulate.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is a deep golden brown and the apple juices are bubbling up around the edges.
Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving to let the fruit juices thicken.
Notes
Use refined coconut oil rather than extra virgin to ensure a neutral, buttery flavor that doesn't overwhelm the apples.
Bramley apples are the best choice for the filling as they break down into a beautiful fluffy texture, but you can mix in a few Granny Smith slices if you prefer some firmer chunks.
Make sure your coconut oil is truly solid; if your kitchen is warm, pop the oil in the fridge for 20 minutes before you start rubbing the dough.
If the topping starts to brown too quickly before the apples are soft, cover the dish loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes.
