Apple and Cherry Crumble

This amazing apple and cherry crumble is unbelievably flavorful with an oatmeal crisp crumb topping, tart cherries, and sweet apples. You only need five ingredients to make a delicious comforting gluten free apple cherry crisp.

Tart cherries are one of my favorite things ever. Years ago we lived on a street that had Montmorency cherry trees and a kind neighbor let me pick some. I made a simple sour cherry sauce to enjoy with crepes and fell in love with that tart fruit.

It can be difficult to find tart cherries but you can find them canned in water pretty easily. They are almost as good as fresh cherries in a dessert like this.

I want to share a few more desserts on here in between all of our savory grilling and smoking recipes and a homemade apple crisp with tart cherries was the perfect addition.

Want to smoke a dessert? Try our Smoked Cheesecake, Smoked Apple Pie, and Smoked Pumpkin Pie recipes!

Ingredients

Apples - I chose to use gala apples. They hold their shape nicely in crisps and pies. Granny smith apples or honeycrisp apples are also a nice choice.

Tart Cherries - You can get canned sour cherries in most well-stocked grocery stores. Choose cherries that are canned in water. If you are able to get fresh sour cherries you will need to pit them before using but they are delicious.

Sweetener or Sugar - I made this recipe sugar free by using a zero calorie sweetener. I prefer xylitol or monk fruit blends.

Oats - Old fashioned thick cut rolled oats give the best texture in the oat crumble topping. If you would like this to be gluten free make sure to choose oats that are labeled that way.

Butter - Using salted butter balances the sweetness in the topping.

How to Make an Apple and Cherry Crumble

Step One: Peel and slice the apples. Combine with the pitted cherries and sweetener. Add to an 8x8 baking dish.

Step Two: Pulse half the oats until they are finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until crumbs form. Add the rest of the oats and pulse just until they are mixed in.

Step Three: Top the apple cherry filling with the crumb topping. Bake the apple cherry crisp until the juices thicken and bubble around the edges, the apples are tender, and the topping is golden. If necessary, cover the topping with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.

Variations

Spices: Add your favorite baking spices such as cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to taste in the filling. Start with just a pinch and taste as you go.

Lemon: Love a hint of lemon in your apple desserts? Add a dash of lemon juice or pinch of lemon zest.

Nuts: Adding chopped nuts such as pecans or almonds gives the topping a nice crunch.

Berries: Sub in blackberries or raspberries (either fresh or frozen) for the tart cherries.

Vanilla: The apple cherry combination is amazing with vanilla. If you can get whole vanilla beans scrape out the seeds of one and add it to the apple cherry mixture. Alternatively, you can mix in two teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Cranberries: If you want to use cranberries I suggest halving them first to make sure they absorb some of the sweetness of the apple crumble. Alternatively, you can add in sweetened dried cranberries.

Pumpkin: This one may sound odd but adding in some small cubes of fresh pumpkin or butternut squash is delicious in an apple crisp. If you go this route I suggest also adding cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice.

Common Questions

Can I Make this into a Pie?

Sure! Just add the apple cherry crisp filling to your favorite unbaked pie crust in a pie dish. and then follow the rest of the instructions. This makes the perfect Holiday pie to enjoy after your smoked Traeger turkey dinner.

Do I Have to use Sour Cherries?

No, you can use regular sweet cherries if you'd like but I recommend cutting back on the sugar or sweetener just a bit. The amount listed is to help balance the natural tartness of the tart cherries.

How to Store Apple and Cherry Crumble

This is best stored in the fridge and can be kept refrigerated for 5 days. I do like it cold but you can warm up servings in the microwave if you want to.

How to Serve Apple Cherry Crumble

A warm apple crumble is a great ending to our favorite meal of Smoked Turkey Burgers and Grilled Grapes & Brie Salad.

This really needs nothing else but can anyone resist a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream on a fruit dessert? I know I can't. So feel free to top with either or both!

Want a lower-carb dessert? Try my Keto Apple Crisp over at Joy Filled Eats!

Want to try cooking apples on your smoker? Try our Smoked Apples. They are stuffed with cranberries, nuts, and brown sugar.