Apple Pie Alternative

RECIPE: Healthy Apple Pie Alternative ๐Ÿ


Written by: Vincent Pedre M.D. | April 5, 2024 | Time to read 4 min

As spring brings its bright days and a touch of warmth, it's the perfect time to enjoy the pleasures of our kitchens and the simple joy of homemade dishes.ย I would like to share with you a delightful dessert that's just as heartwarming as it is satisfying - a Nutty Apple Crumble that's easy to make!


Picture the tartness of Granny Smith apples, swathed in a gentle kiss of coconut sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, all lovingly cradled in a blanket of crunchy, nutty goodness.ย Take a moment for yourself, to create something with love, to nourish not just your body but your spirit too.ย It's about the memories created around the dining table, the stories shared, and the laughter that echoes long after the plates are cleared.

Nutty Apple Crumble

Makes 6 servings

Contains nuts and dairy

ย Ingredients:

  • 4โ€“5ย Granny Smithย ย apples, cored and sliced into thin half-moons

  • 2 tablespoonsย coconut sugarย 

  • 1 teaspoon each of groundย nutmegย andย cinnamonย 

  • 1 teaspoonย lemon juiceย ย 

  • 3.8 ounces dry-roastedย almondsย 

  • 3.5 ouncesย hazelnutsย 

  • 3.5 ouncesย pistachiosย ย 

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted grass-fedย ย butter, cut into cubesย 

  • A pinch ofย Celtic sea saltย to balance the sweetness

  • 1 tablespoonย honeyย ย 

  • And a dollop of plainย Greek or coconut yogurtย to crown each serving

  • 1 scoopย NOURISHย ย peaย protein powderย (optional)

Nutty Apple Crumble

ย Preparationย ย 

1. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.ย 

2. In a bowl, toss the apples with the coconut sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon juice until evenly coated.ย 

3. Layer the apple slices in the prepared baking dish.

4. In a food processor, pulse the almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios until roughly chopped, then remove one-quarter of the nut mixture and set aside.ย 

5. Add the butter and salt to the nuts remaining in the food processor. Pulse until crumbly.ย 

6. Sprinkle the butter-nut mixture over the apples, top with the reserved nuts, and drizzle with the honey.ย 

7. Bake for 25 minutes, or until crispy on top. Add a dollop of yogurt on top and serve warm.

Pro Tip: In order to make the desert more gut-friendly and satiating, enhancing its protein content and nutritional value, you can add Nourish pea protein powder into the crumble topping or mix it with the yogurt serving:


You can blend a scoop of the protein powder with the nuts before adding the butter and salt for the crumble topping.


Alternatively, you could mix it into the Greek or coconut yogurt for a protein-packed dollop on top of each serving of the crumble. This way, you not only enhance the nutritional profile of your dish but also introduce an element that supports gut health and wellness.


Pea protein isolate is one of the most gut-friendly protein powders you can use. Most people tolerate pea protein quite well, especially when it is micronized for easier digestion. Not only that, but our NOURISH is made from organic non-GMO peas, known for their easy digestibility and comprehensive amino acid profile. Adding a scoop of this protein powder could enrich your crumble with additional health benefits, including muscle repair and energy support, without compromising the taste or texture of your dessert.

As you gather your ingredientsย and preheat your oven,ย ย remember thatย each piece of this Nutty Apple Crumble is a celebration of spring's renewal and the cherished moments we share with others.ย 


Wishing you delightful spring evenings and hearts full of joy,


Dr. Vincent Pedreย 


Remember, the secret ingredient is always love. And a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Dr. Vincent Pedre
Dr. Vincent Pedre  is a leading authority in gut health, a bestselling author, and a medical doctor with a holistic approach to wellness. With over two decades of experience, he is dedicated to helping people achieve optimal health through personalized nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and integrative medicine. 

Dr. Pedre offers personalized health consultations, as well as the comprehensive Gut-Brain Mastery Program โ€” 6-Week Stress-Less Challenge โ€” which is designed to help individuals biohack their brain health through their gut to reduce stress, boost mood, improve gut health, and achieve rockstar resilience.
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