Ingredients

4 apples, diced into 3/4" cubes (I used 2 honey crisp and 2 envy apples)

1 tbsp lemon juice

~4 tbsp corn starch (can substitute with tapioca starch or arrowroot starch)

3/4 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup pecan nuts

3/4 cup walnuts

3/4 cup almonds

1 1/2 tbsp ground flax seeds

6 Medjool dates, pitted

1/3 cup plant-based milk (I used soy milk)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp walnut oil

1 tbsp water

2 splashes of of vanilla extract

1 tbsp and 2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp pumpkin spice (optional)

dash of freshly grated nutmeg

pinch of salt

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, toss the diced apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice to add a nice tartness and prevent them from browning.
2. In a small saucepan on medium heat, add the pitted Medjool dates with the plant-based milk. Alternatively, you can add the dates and milk to a bowl and microwave for 1-2 mins.
3. Once the milk is hot / boiling, remove the dates from heat and use the back of a spoon or a fork to mash the dates to form a thick date paste. It’s okay if there are a few chunks.
4. Reserve 1 tbsp of the date paste (for the topping), and add the rest to the diced apples and toss.
5. Also add 1 tbsp (or more!) of ground cinnamon, 1 tsp pumpkin spice, ground cloves, dash of nutmeg, and a splash of vanilla extract to the apples, and toss/mix well!
6. Add in the cornstarch (you might have to eyeball this step). You don’t want too much cornstarch to form a dry coating on the apples, but you want just enough to be evenly distributed. The apple mix should be a bit sticky, so you can add in about 1 tbsp of water if it looks too dry.
7. In a large mortar and pestle (or a food processor), gradually add in the almonds, pecan nuts, and walnuts (in that order) as you grind them down to a semi coarse crumb-like consistency. When you’re done, the largest pieces of nuts should be approximately less than 1/4".
8. At this point you should pre-heat the oven to 375°F.
9. Lightly grease an 8x8" baking dish, and transfer the apple mix to the baking dish in a flat layer. [You can use the bowl the apples were just in for the next step!]
10. In the bowl, add the ground nuts, rolled oats, ground flax seeds, a pinch of salt, a splash of vanilla extract, walnut oil, olive oil, 2 tsp cinnamon, and the remaining 1 tbsp of the prepared date paste. Mix really well. [Optional: If you want, you can add in a bit of maple syrup at this step.]
11. In the baking dish, top the apples with the crumble mixture and lightly pat down.
12. Cover with foil (super important or else the topping will burn!) with a few holes poked in it, and bake at 375°F for ~25 mins! Uncover and bake for another 5-10 minutes. (Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.)
13. Enjoy with an optional dollop of vanilla ice cream! :D

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