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This High Protein Apple Crumble has tender apples topped with a healthy oatmeal streusel. Perfect as a macro-friendly dessert for Fall, you will love that this recipe is low calorie, low fat and sugar-free. With 30 g of protein!
Craving more high protein fall desserts? You should also try my protein pumpkin bread with chocolate chips, Greek yogurt protein muffins and extra moist protein banana bread.
I don’t know you, but for me Autumnal recipes are the best. From pumpkin to apple cinnamon, every meal is a feast. Especially dessert!
If you are also a fan of apples, you will love this high protein apple crumble with oats. It’s vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and great for weight loss. Plus, you can cook it in the oven or in the air fryer, in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients and substitutes
Here are all ingredients, along with replacements and tips. You can find the precise quantities in the recipe card at the bottom.
Healthy apple cinnamon ingredients
- Apple – I recommend Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for sweetness.
- Granulated sweetener – Monk fruit, erythritol or stevia are great. You can also use coconut or brown sugar.
- Ground cinnamon – It provides flavor.
High protein oatmeal crumble
- Rolled oats – They add a chewy texture and healthy fibers. Quick oats and steel-cut oats will not work for this recipe.
- Vanilla protein powder – I like vanilla plant protein or casein because they do not dry when heated. Whey protein will also work, but it can make your crumble dry. If you don’t have protein powder, use almond flour or oat flour.
- Granulated sweetener – I used monk fruit, but also erythritol and stevia work. If sugar is not an issue, you can swap for coconut sugar or brown sugar.
- Ground cinnamon – For those warm, autumnal flavors.
- Coconut oil – The key for a delicious crumble, it improves flavor and texture. As a replacement you can use melted butter or cashew butter.
- Salt – A pinch of salt deepens the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Milk of choice – Only necessary if the dough is too dry.
What are the best apples for protein apple crisp?
The best apples for this healthy crumble are firm and slightly tart, so they hold their shape and balance the sweetness of the topping. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice because they bake well and bring a fresh tart flavor. Honeycrisp and Pink Lady are also great if you prefer a sweeter and juicier filling. For more depth of flavor, you can also mix two varieties, such as Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp for sweetness.
Dietary adaptations
- Vegan – Stick to plant based protein powder and unsweetened dairy-free milk.
- Gluten-free – Use certified gluten-free rolled oats and ensure both protein powder and sweetener are safe to eat.
- No protein powder – Replace protein powder with 3 tbsp of almond flour, oat flour, or all purpose flour. For more protein, you can serve it with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
How to make high protein apple crumble
- Preheat oven – Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180°C) or heat up the air fryer to 320ºF (160ºC). Grease a skillet or a small ramekin with cooking spray or oil.
- Make the filling – In a small bowl, toss apple chunks with granulated sweetener and ground cinnamon. Transfer the apple filling to the bottom of the greased ramekin.
- Prep the streusel – In a bowl combine oats, protein powder, granulated sweetener, ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt and melted coconut oil (or melted butter).
- Mix – Start mixing, adding a tiny splash of milk at the time until you get a crumbly dough. Do not add too much milk, or it may get overly moist.
- Top the apples – Sprinkle the protein crumble evenly on top of the apple mixture.
- Bake – Bake in hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Enjoy – Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Ways to add protein to apple crumble
- Protein powder – Follow this recipe, which replaces refined flours with protein powder.
- Greek yogurt topping – For more protein or if you don’t have protein powder, serve your crumble with Greek yogurt. It adds a punch of protein and goes well with apple crisp.
- Cottage cheese topping – Ditch whipped creams for whipped cottage cheese. It boosts both protein and flavors.
- Pairings – Serve your apple protein dessert with protein shakes, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
Serving ideas
- More protein – Pair the apple crumble with cottage cheese, unsweetened vanilla Greek yogurt, homemade protein yogurt, or a delicious vanilla protein shake.
- Toppings – Top with a scoop of vanilla protein ice cream, a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cottage cheese with a drizzle of maple syrup. For more flavor, you can also drizzle it with almond butter.
Storage directions
You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. When ready to eat, reheat in the oven or microwave until warm and crisp again.
For a longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Place portions in freezer safe containers or zipper bags and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. If you want the oatmeal streusel to stay extra crunchy, reheat in the oven instead of the microwave.
More healthy desserts with apples
- Sugar-free brownies
- Invisible apple cake
- Apple oatmeal bars
- Apple protein baked oats
- Air fryer baked apples
High Protein Apple Crumble
Ingredients
Apple Cinnamon Filling
- 1 small apple, peeled, cored and thinly diced
- 1 tsp granulated sweetener, I used monk fruit
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
High Protein Apple Crumble
- 3 tbsp rolled oats
- 3 tbsp vanilla protein powder, or almond flour
- 1 to 2 tsp granulated sweetener, I used monk fruit
- ⅓ tsp ground cinnamon
- a pinch of salt
- 1 tsp coconut oil, or melted butter
- 1 tsp milk, if necessary
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180°C) or heat up the air fryer to 320ºF (160ºC). Grease a skillet or a ramekin with cooking spray or oil.
Apple Cinnamon Filling
- Wash, peel and core the apple. Using a knife, cut it into thin dices.
- In a small bowl, toss apple chunks with granulated sweetener and ground cinnamon. Transfer the apple filling to the bottom of the greased ramekin.
High Protein Apple Crumble
- In a bowl combine oats, protein powder, granulated sweetener, ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt and melted coconut oil (or melted butter).
- Start mixing, adding a tiny splash of milk at the time until you get a crumbly dough. Do not add too much milk or it may get overly moist.
- Sprinkle the protein crumble evenly on top of the apple mixture.
- Bake in hot oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
