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Healthy vegan crumble made with nectarine and blueberries and spiced to perfection. Perfect with vanilla coconut milk ice cream.

This vegan crumble recipe is also refined sugar free and naturally gluten free, made with a toasty oat and walnut topping.

The difference between nectarines and peaches is that nectarines are less fuzzy. Nectarines are actually a fuzzless variety of peach! For crumbles, cobblers, tarts, and pies, using a nectarines in place of peaches means you do not need to skin them if you are opposed to fuzzies in your dessert.

Peaches are known for their fuzzy skins but they are also easier to grow than nectarines and are more cold hardy in general.

Unlike the rumors say, nectarines are not a cross between peaches and plums.

You can substitute nectarines for peaches in any recipe.

You’ll know nectarines are ripe when they are bright golden with blushes of red and gives a little when you press on them and they smell sweet, You can ripen too-firm nectarines by placing them in a paper bag at room temperature for 1-3 days.

After they’re ripe, you can store them in the fridge for a week or so. Any that get too soft and juicy are perfect for stirring into oatmeal or making a smoothie.

Are Nectarines Good for You?

Nectarines fairly high in natural sugars with 11 grams per medium sized fruit. However, the sugars in nectarines are healthy than processed refined sugars, and nectarines contain 2.4 grams of fiber, which is 10% of your daily recommended amount.

Fiber helps to slow the blood sugar spike that sugar would cause otherwise, allowing for a steady stream of energy.

Fun fact —the name nectarine means sweat as nectar.

Nectarine calories: 62 calories per medium (142 grams) fruit.

Nectarines are very nutritious with plenty of antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K, E, niacin, and beta carotene. This combination makes them excellent for your skin.

How to make the best vegan crumble

Crumbles are very easy to adapt to any dietary preferences. This blueberry nectarine crumble uses coconut oil in place of butter and maple syrup as the sweetener so it is a refined sugar free crumble. Just a little! You could even leave it out if you prefer.

Vegan Crumble Topping

1 cup of rolled oats
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp chai spice*, or cinnamon and nutmeg
1 Tbsp maple syrup

*Find the recipe for my diy chai spice mix here.

To make the perfect vegan crumble topping, you’ll need toasty, crunchy, sweet bits held together with a fat. The perfect choice for a vegan crumble is coconut oil.

Coconut oil is full of healthy saturated fat (yes, healthy. Not all saturated fat is bad for you!) and medium chain triglycerides (MCT).

MCT is absorbed quickly to be used as energy, increase satiety, and prevents fat storage. There is mixed research regarding coconut oil and heart health though, so don’t over do it with the coconut oil. All in moderation!

Why is my crumble not crumbly?

If your crumble topping is not crumbly, then your crumble mixture was too wet or it needs more time in the oven.

Be sure not to add too much fat or use a liquid oil. Your crumble topping should be chunky and fairly dry when you clump it on top of your fruit filling. Don’t press it into wet fruit, let it sit on top so it can brown and get crunchy and toasty. This will prevent it from going soggy.

How to Tell if Your Nectarine Crumble is Done

The best way to tell if your nectarine crumble is done is if it smells like sweet, cooked fruit and your crumble topping smells and looks browned and toasted.

Try these other healthy sweet treats!

Creamy Dreamy Healthy Cheesecake

Healthy Sheet Pan Protein Pancakes

Chocolate Banana Protein Muffins

Superfood Healthy Mocha No Bake Cookies

2 Minute Molten Hot Chocolate Lava Protein Cake in a Mug (gluten free, vegan)

Raspberry Instant Pot Apple Sauce

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