A naturally sweet fruit filling is covered with a crumbly, nutty and delicious topping that’s packed with good-for-you ingredients to create a deliciously healthier fruit crumble dessert.
Traditional fruit crumble takes a healthy turn! By making a few simple swaps and additions, this revised dessert offers a host of nutritional benefits including fibre, vitamins, and healthy fats. It’s a delightful treat that strikes the perfect balance between healthy and tasty.
Eating healthily
Craving a desert but worried about your health? Well, you’re not alone! Fortunately it’s possible to make delicious puddings that satisfy your sweet tooth and are also good for you. Here I’ll outline some of the ways you can make your favourite sweets healthier. Then I’ll share my ‘improved’ fruit crumble recipe, which is a healthy and nutritious dish disguised as a cosy traditional pudding!
The basics of fruit crumble
So, what exactly is a fruit crumble? A staple British dessert, this classic fruit pudding carries a legacy of comfort and indulgence. Traditional fruit crumble typically comprises a rich, sweet fruit filling, often made from apples, berries or rhubarb, topped with a golden crumbly mixture of butter, flour, and sugar.
Crumble is super-easy to make, and is often one of the first recipes children learn in the kitchen. This childhood nostalgia only adds to its appeal! The combination of the soft, slightly tangy fruit against the sweet, golden crumble topping has made it a favourite dessert for many people. Timeless and versatile, it’s no wonder that fruit crumble has become a staple across households worldwide.
It’s also perfect with lashings of custard!
How crumble can be made healthier
Making desserts such as a fruit crumble healthier is not as daunting as it sounds. It’s all about making smart choices that do not compromise – and in some cases even enhance! – the taste. The easiest strategies revolve around reducing sugar and replacing white flour with more nutritious alternatives. Using healthy fats can also help to improve the nutritional profile of a dessert.
Reducing sugar
Refined sugar is a common ingredient in traditional desserts like crumble. Unfortunately eating too much sugar can have a negative impact on our health, both in the short and long-term.
Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to reduce the amount of sugar used. Firstly, you may be surprised that you can simply cut the sugar in a recipe by up to half, and barely notice the difference in the finished product! You can also replace some or all of the sugar with less-refined sweeteners like honey, maple or date syrup, or unrefined brown sugar. Although these alternatives are still sugars, they have additional nutritional content such as minerals and vitamins, and they can add unique flavours to your dessert.
Replacing white flour
When it comes to making desserts, white flour is most commonly used. A simple switch to whole wheat flour will immediately improve the nutritional value and make your fruit crumble healthier for you. Using other whole grain flours, or adding oats or bran/wheatgerm, will boost the fibre content and also add essential nutrients, making your dessert substantially healthier.
You can also swap some of the flour for ground nuts such as almonds or walnuts. These strategies can help transform a traditional crumble into a healthier, still delicious dessert.
Using healthy fats
Although margarine is often touted as a healthy choice, it usually contains hydrogenated fats, colourings and preservatives. I prefer to use minimally processed whole foods and find butter to be the best and healthiest (not to mention tastiest!) fat to use when making a fruit crumble, and in most other recipes.
However, sometimes it’s necessary to make a dairy-free (parve) crumble. In this case, I use virgin coconut oil, or even tahini, as the fat component of the crumble. Each of these has advantages, as well as adding delicious flavours to the dessert. Depending on your recipe, you can choose a suitable less processed option instead of margarine.
Creating a healthier fruit crumble recipe
Prepare to be surprised at just how delicious a healthier version of your favourite dessert can be! This fruit crumble may be lower in sugar and higher in dietary fibre, but the taste is thoroughly indulgent.
I recently made this for a large family gathering, and several people asked for the recipe. They didn’t even know this was my ‘healthier’ crumble, only that it tasted delicious!
Ingredients in healthier fruit crumble
While this list may be longer than for a standard fruit crumble, it’s well worth it. Your dessert will not only be better for you, it will taste wonderful too!
To make your healthier fruit crumble, you will need:
- Mixed berries, diced apples, or any fruit of your choice, fresh or frozen
- Wholegrain plain (all purpose) flour
- Porridge oats – I like to use ‘instant’ or ‘quick cook’ oats rather than standard rolled oats, but use whichever you prefer
- Oat bran – adds extra fibre and a nutty flavour, but you can use wheatgerm or simply add more oats if you don’t have oat bran
- Ground almonds – or other ground nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts
- Mixed seeds – I use a mixture of pumpkin, sunflower, linseeds and sesame seeds
- Unrefined brown sugar
- Spices – I like to add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg
- A pinch of salt – optional, and omit if you use salted butter
- Butter – or use coconut oil for a dairy-free crumble
Health benefits of this crumble recipe
This healthier fruit crumble recipe not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also offers some health benefits when compared to a classic crumble. Below I have highlighted the factors that make this recipe my preferred choice.
Nutritional value
By using naturally sweet fruits, and swapping white sugar for a less refined alternative, I have both reduced the sugar content and added some essential micro-nutrients. The use of whole grain flour, oats and almonds enhances the fibre content which is essential for digestive health.
Fibre and vitamins
Fruits, especially berries, are loaded with dietary fibre and essential vitamins and minerals. Dietary fibre aids digestion, has a beneficial effect on blood cholesterol levels, and also lowers the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Fruits also add vitamin C, as well as antioxidants and polyphenols, which help boost immunity and promote general health.
Less Sugar
Lower sugar consumption reduces the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. It is also better for your teeth!
A good-for-you dessert
I hope you agree that this delicious crumble strikes the balance between our love for sweet and comforting desserts and the health benefits of a nourishing diet.
Let’s continue to enjoy our desserts while treating our bodies to the healthier alternatives they deserve.
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📖 Recipe
Healthier fruit crumble
Ingredients
- 800 g mixed berries, chopped apples or other fruit
- 100 g wholegrain plain flour
- 50 g quick-cook or instant oats
- 50 g oat bran or wheatgerm (or use extra oats)
- 50 g ground almonds (almond flour)
- 40 g mixed seeds
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
- 75 g unrefined brown sugar
- 100 g butter
Instructions
- 800 g (4-6 cups) mixed berries, chopped apples or other fruitPreheat the oven to 180℃ (350℉). Put the berries, apples, or fruit of your choice (in bite size pieces) into a roughly 20 x 30 cm (8 x 11 inch) baking dish.
- 100 g (3/7 cups) wholegrain plain flour, 50 g (¼ cups) quick-cook or instant oats, 50 g (⅓ cups) oat bran or wheatgerm, 50 g (½ cups) ground almonds (almond flour), 40 g (⅓ cups) mixed seeds, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 pinch salt (optional), 75 g (⅓ cups) unrefined brown sugarMix the flour, oats, oat bran/wheatgerm, ground almonds, seeds, spices, salt (if using) and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- 100 g (3 ½ oz) butterMelt the butter, then pour over the dry mixture. Use a spoon to mix well until everything is combined. The mixture should be 'clumpy'.
- Spoon the buttery mixture over the fruit in an even layer. Be sure to cover right to the edges.
- Bake the fruit crumble at 180℃ (350℉) for around 45 minutes until the top is brown and fruit juice is bubbling up at the edges.
- Allow to stand for a few moments to cool before serving. Delicious eaten hot, warm or cold!
Nutrition
Healthier fruit crumble FAQ & top tips
This fruit crumble is healthier due to the choice of ingredients. It uses whole grain flour, nuts, seeds and oats, plus naturally sweet fruit, so it has more fibre and vitamins, and less sugar, than a traditional crumble, while still retaining its delightful taste.
Yes, you can! The beauty of a fruit crumble is its versatility. You can use a single type of fruit or mix and match according to your preference or seasonal availability.
While berries and apples typically don’t require any added sugar, you may find that other fruits, especially rhubarb or gooseberries, need a little added sugar to make them palatable. Bear this in mind when choosing which fruits to include in the filling of your crumble.
The classic accompaniment to crumble is custard! You can make a simple custard using milk or a plant-based alternative, thickened with a little cornstarch and flavoured with vanilla. Add unrefined sugar to taste – you won’t need a lot.
You can also serve this crumble with a dollop of creamy natural yogurt, cream, or even ice-cream.
Fruit crumble should be tightly covered, or transferred to an airtight container for storage. It will typically last for about 2-3 days. You can also freeze it for longer, up to 3 months.
Leftover crumble is best warmed slightly before serving. You can heat it in a gentle oven, or microwave individual portions as you need them.
As presented, the healthier fruit crumble recipe is vegetarian. To make it vegan, simply replace the butter with a vegan alternative such as coconut oil or tahini, as discussed above.
As written, this recipe is not gluten-free. However it only requires a couple of simple swaps to make it suitable for celiacs and people who are gluten-intolerant. Substitute your preferred gluten-free flour blend for the whole-wheat flour, and make sure that your oats are also gluten-free. Bear in mind that while pure oats are free from gluten, they do contain a similar protein which some people are also sensitive to.
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Andrea
I’m all in for a nutritious and delicious dessert like this one. I can’t wait to make it but won’t tell the family that it’s healthier than the original.
Helen
lol! I didn’t tell mine and they all wanted the recipe!
Ashley
This is such a delicious crumble! I might make this again for Thanksgiving. 🙂
Helen
Thanks Ashley, so glad you enjoyed it! And happy Thanksgiving!
Beth
Oh, yes! I love it when my favorite desserts get a healthy makeover. I can’t wait to try this one.
Helen
Thanks Beth! Yes, knowing that your favourite dessert is also good for you is such a great feeling!
Suja md
Truly amazing in taste and flavors in this recipe. Will definitely make again, very good recipe!
Helen
Thanks Suja – so glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
Kate
I love that the seeds and oats make this crumble healthier and also give it a great texture.
Helen
Thanks Kate, me too! The crunchy seeds are my favourite part.