Passover Apple Crumble

Home » Recipes » Passover » Passover Apple Crumble

Have an abundance of apples? Try this easy-to-make apple crumble! This tasty apple crumble recipe is special because it’s parve. Plus, it's made with individual ramekins, which makes it the perfect thing to serve as a special Passover dessert. And as a Passover dessert – it doesn’t contain oats, so you can still enjoy a good apple crumble even without oats.

What is apple crumble?

Apple crumble (or apple crisp) is a well-known and loved dessert. It’s warm, comforting, and as a bonus, always delicious!

Basically, apple crumble is an easier way to prepare an apple pie. It has almost all of the same ingredients. But, instead of baking it in a homemade pie crust, you can bake the filling in ramekins and top it with a tasty cinnamon sugar crumble.

In the past, I shared a recipe for mango crumble, which is a family favorite in our household during summer, thanks to the delicious and fresh mangos from my parent's tree. So, for this holiday season, I decided to tackle a classic but dairy-free version of this apple dessert.

What is the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

The biggest difference between an apple crisp and apple crumble is the ingredients used to make the crispy topping.
Apple crisps are usually topped with either toasted oatmeal or nuts only, or both. Apple crumbles can be made without either of those ingredients. An apple crumble usually has a streusel topping made with flour, sugar and fat.

What is apple crumble topping made of?

The topping for apple crumble is usually made of flour, butter, and sugar. I made a parve apple crumble. This means it is dairy-free!

So, my apple crumble topping is made with vegetable oil, light brown sugar, and matzo meal. So that it is Passover-friendly.

This apple crumble is made with a layer of delicious, soft apples flavored with cinnamon and a top layer of crispy crumbles. The crumble is baked in the oven until the top layer is crispy, which is the origin of the other name of this dessert.

Usually, in traditional recipes the crumbles are made from flour, nuts, and rolled oats mixed with sugar and fat. For this Passover version, I used matzo meal instead of flour and omitted the rolled oats and nuts as oats are not Kosher for Passover and, therefore, not to be consumed during Passover.

You do not need to leave this dessert out during the holidays. Desserts can be tasty with no flour, and this recipe is also parve (non-dairy) and vegan. It’s the best of both worlds!

Tips for making Passover apple crumble without oats

When making this simple apple crumble recipe, there are a few things you can do to make sure you end up with the best dessert.

Here are my best tips when making a homemade apple crumble:

Use matzo meal

The secret to a tasty and kosher for Passover apple crumble without oats is to use a combination of matzo meal and light brown sugar for the crumbly topping. You'll still get the same delightfully crumbly topping without the extra fiber or dietary drawbacks of using rolled oats. Ensure your matzo meal is finely ground to achieve the desired texture in your crumble topping. If necessary, you can pulse it in a food processor for a finer consistency.

Make individual servings

I choose to bake the apple crumble in small ramekins. This way, each person can have their own little apple crumble. It saves me time from trying to scoop out the perfect amount for each person. It also ensures that I have enough apple crumble to feed everyone in my house!

Pick the best apples

I used green apples that have a tart, sharp taste and are the classic fruit for this crumble dessert. Granny Smith is the most popular variety of apples to use in apple pie and apple crumble. Choose firm and tart green apples for the filling. Their acidity balances the sweetness of the dish and holds up well during baking, resulting in a flavorful and tender filling.

Change up the fruit

You can change the apples to 4 cups of blueberries or blackberries if you want. In fact, a blueberry crumble is a perfect thing to make in the summertime. Fresh berries are plump, juicy, and sweet!

Lemon Juice

The addition of lemon juice not only adds a bright and refreshing flavor to the apples but also helps prevent them from browning. Be sure to evenly coat the diced apples with lemon juice to maintain their color and freshness.

Spices

Adjust the amount of cinnamon according to your taste preferences. You can also experiment with other warm spices like nutmeg or cloves to enhance the flavor profile of your apple crumble.

Greasing Ramekins

Properly grease your mini ramekins or baking dish to prevent the apple crumble from sticking. This ensures easy serving and cleanup.

Crumble Topping

When mixing the crumble topping ingredients, aim for a coarse and crumbly texture. Avoid overmixing, as this can result in a dense and compact topping rather than a light and crisp one.

Baking Time

Keep an eye on your apple crumbles as they bake to prevent overcooking. The filling should be bubbling and the topping golden brown when done. Adjust the baking time as needed based on your oven's temperature and the size of your ramekins.

Serving

Allow the apple crumbles to cool for a few minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed warm, either on their own or topped with a dollop of parve whipped cream or a scoop of parve vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

FAQs

Here are some questions people often ask about how to make the best apple crumble:

Can I use regular flour instead of matzo meal?

Traditionally, Passover recipes use matzo meal, but you can experiment with almond flour or a combination of potato starch and ground almonds to achieve a similar texture while keeping the recipe kosher for Passover.

Can I make this apple crumble ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the apple filling and crumble topping ahead of time and assemble them just before baking. Alternatively, you can bake the apple crumbles in advance and reheat them in the oven before serving.

Can I freeze Passover apple crumble?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled apple crumbles before baking. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When ready to bake, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking according to the recipe instructions.

Can I use a different type of apple?

While green apples are commonly used for their tartness and firm texture, you can experiment with other varieties such as Braeburn, or Honeycrisp. Just keep in mind that different types of apples may yield slightly different results in terms of flavor and texture.

How do I store leftover apple crumble?

Store any leftover apple crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or oven until warmed through before serving.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free matzo meal or substitute with a gluten-free flour blend.

Can I omit the sugar or reduce the amount?

While the sugar adds sweetness and helps to caramelize the apples, you can adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences or dietary restrictions. You may also consider using a sugar substitute such as honey or maple syrup if you prefer this option.

Why is my crumble not crispy?

This is probably because you didn't add enough vegetable oil. To make sure it's nice and crispy, create a grainy texture with vegetable oil, sugar, and matzo meal. It should crisp up beautifully in the oven!

Do I have to make individual mini apple crumbles?

No, you can bake it in a 9x13 pan if you want. You'll have to adjust the baking time if you choose to bake it in a larger pan. The larger pan will take longer to bake.

What can I serve with my apple crumble?

I like to serve my apple crumble with a dollop of dairy-free cream. But you can also serve it with vegan ice cream. It's delicious on its own too!

More Passover Recipes

Check out these other Passover-friendly recipes for a festive holiday:

Make this Passover apple crumble today!

So there you have it: an easy and delicious parve apple crumble recipe for Passover. You don't need to compromise on taste to make a Passover dessert. With this recipe, you can have the best apple crumble without oats.

So grab your ingredients and get baking!

Recipe yields 14 servings (if you use ramekins, you will have 14 in total).