🍎 Quinoa Apple-Pear Crumble with a Cheesy Crust (Vegan & GF Friendly)

A soul-soothing twist on a classic comfort — with a protein-rich quinoa crust, warmly spiced stewed fruit, and a savory-cheesy crumble that brings it all together.

✨ The Story Behind It

This is one of those serendipitous recipes — born from years of indulging in a sweet “something-something” that somehow always found its way into the home. There used to be a store-bought apple crumble near our house — no raisins (thankfully!) and the most delightful, gooey crumble, closer to a biscuit topping than anything truly “crumby.” It was simple, unassuming, not homemade or artisanal — but that made it special. In a time when life felt uncertain, it was one of those delicious constants.

This version, though, takes things further — it began with creating a meal plan for my mom, something nourishing, enticing, and energizing to help integrate more movement into her day. She’s never been a fan of porridge or oats, so when those came up as breakfast options, I knew quinoa was the perfect switch.

With a glut of apples and pears from a local market, a little nostalgia, and a sprinkle of curiosity, what began as a simple breakfast bowl transformed into this quinoa crust, stewed spiced fruit, and cheesy crumble delight. It's comforting, hearty, and just quirky enough to keep everyone coming back for more.

📝 Ingredients

For the Spiced Apple-Pear Filling

• 4 apples (washed and chopped, mixed sizes are fine)

• 3 pears (washed and chopped)

• ¼ cup water (to help steam the fruit)

• 1½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)

• ¼ tsp mixed spice (or a pinch each of nutmeg, clove, and allspice)

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For the Quinoa Crust

• 1½ cups cooked white quinoa (about ½ cup dry)

• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2.5 tbsp water, set for 10 min)

• Pinch of salt

• Optional: 1–2 tbsp water if mixture is too dry

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For the Cheesy Crumble

• 1 cup gluten-free flour mix (e.g., WeLoveLowCarb mix or regular wheat flour)

• 60g coconut oil (solid, not melted)

• 3 tbsp nutritional yeast (aka nooch)

• 1 tsp salt

• Optional: 1–2 tbsp coconut cream for a gooier texture

🍽️ Instructions

1. Stew the fruit:

   In a medium pot, add the chopped apples and pears along with ¼ cup of water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once bubbling, stir in the spices — cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and mixed spice. Cover and allow to stew for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened but still textured.

2. Prepare the crust:

   Cook the quinoa according to package directions (generally a 2:1 water-to-quinoa ratio). Let it cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, flax egg, and a pinch of salt. Knead gently into a dough-like consistency. If too crumbly, add a splash of water. Press this mixture firmly into a greased pie dish or baking tin to form a crust layer. Pre-bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10–12 minutes to help it set.

3. Make the crumble:

   In a bowl, mix together the flour, nutritional yeast, salt, and coconut oil. Use your hands or a fork to work the mixture into coarse crumbs. For a softer, gooier crumble, stir in a tablespoon or two of coconut cream (optional but delicious).

4. Assemble:

   Once the crust is pre-baked, layer on the stewed apple-pear mixture evenly. Top generously with your cheesy crumble.

5. Bake:

   Return to the oven and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.

   
   

💡 Notes & Variations

• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use your favorite GF flour mix for the crumble. Almond flour can also add a nutty note.

• Make it oil-free: Try substituting the coconut oil with nut butter or mashed banana for a different texture and richness.

• Nooch Magic: Nutritional yeast brings that cheesy, umami flavor — but you can omit or reduce it if preferred.

• Serving Tip: Amazing warm, with a dollop of coconut yogurt, vegan cream, or even a drizzle of maple tahini.

❤️ Why This Recipe is a Keeper

This crumble feels like a warm hug — nostalgic yet inventive, nourishing yet indulgent. It honors the past while meeting your body’s needs right now. Whether you're cooking for family, your future self, or someone you love deeply — it’s a dish that wraps everyone in a little edible joy.