These soft-baked, sweet and sour Hasselback apples with crumble will become your new fall-time favorite! They are quick and easy to make and burst with cozy flavors. Top with your favorite ice cream and Katjes sour gummies for a colorful and fun treat!
Jump to:

This post is supported by Katjes. A big thanks to the supporting brands that make The Simple Sprinkle possible.
💡 The recipe in a nutshell
- Vegan (no eggs & dairy free)
- Easy & quick to make
- Simple ingredients
- Cozy vegan fall recipe
- Plant-based comfort dessert
💭 What is the Hasselback technique?
Hasselback is a cutting and cooking method in which typically potatoes are sliced through (but not all the way) in thin, even layers, which can be stuffed or topped with additional flavorings. Other items such as apples, pear, squash, zucchini, or sweet potato are suitable for the Hasselback technique as well. Hasselbacking is a way of creating more surface area on the food item for added flavors and creating additional texture.

🔪 How to cut Hasselback Apples
To get that typical Hasselback cut:
- Cut an apple in half lengthwise, and core it with a spoon (or small cookie scoop).
- Starting at the outermost edge, cut with a sharp knife almost, but not all the way, through each apple half. Since the apple is cored, make your cuts shorter coming towards the middle.
- Leave around 3 to 4 mm (⅛ - inch) of space in between the cuts.
Cutting tip
To help prevent cutting entirely through the apple lay either a (wooden or metal) spit, or skewer on each side. For more security tape it to the work surface to prevent wiggling around. Alternatively, you could use a Hasselback cutter.

🍎 Serving ideas
Serve these Hasselback apples with your favorite vegan ice cream. Some fitting flavors include vanilla, butter pecan, caramel, almond, and many more!
To round this dessert up with a sour and sweet flavor we like to add Katjes plant-based Sour Gummy Candy on top! We prefer their gummies because they are entirely vegan (no animal gelatin), they are palm oil free, and they don't use high fructose corn syrup. Plus, they have a fun selection of flavors and forms.
They make a fun decoration for baked goods and sweets. Check out our other recipes using Katjes, such as this vegan Piñata cake, these thumbprint cookies and this easy sheet cake.

🥣 Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat for a few minutes in a preheated oven at around 350F (or in the microwave) to serve warm.
📖 Recipe

Hasselback Apples with Crumble
Equipment
- casserole or baking dish (such as pie pan), kitchen knife, mixing bowl, scale or cups, spoon or spatula for stirring
Ingredients
- 3 apples
- ½ cup oat-based müsli with raisins, or sub with old-fashioned oats (around 55g)
- 3 tablespoon vegan brown sugar (40g)
- 4 tablespoon walnuts, chopped (40g)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground you can add more to taste
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 3 tablespoon flax seed meal
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoon 3 tablespoon maple syrup (45ml)
- 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive or avocado oil (30ml)
to serve
- 6 scoops of vegan ice cream (eg vanilla or butter pecan)
- 1 package Katjes Sour Gummies
- drizzles of vegan caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). Cut apples into halves and core with a spoon the middle part with seeds out.
- Starting at the outermost edges, cut almost, but not all the way, through each apple half. Leave around ⅛-inch (3 to 4mm) of space in between the cuts. To help prevent cutting entirely through the apple you can either lay a wooden spit, or skewer on each side and tape it to the work surface, or use a Hasselback cutter.
- Microwave apple halves on a microwave-safe plate for around 2 minutes at 500W. While the apples are microwaving mix the following ingredients in a small bowl and prepare the filling: Müsli (or oats), brown sugar, chopped walnuts, spices, flax meal, salt, maple syrup, and oil. Stir together until combined.
- Place apples in a casserole. Spoon some of the filling onto a spoon. With the spoon or brush, spread apple fissures and stuff them with the prepared crumble. Continue until all cuts are filled. Sprinkle the rest on the top and sides of the apples.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. If you want the apples even softer, cover the casserole with a lid or foil, and bake for another 45 minutes to 1 hour at 300°F (150°C).
- Take them out and garnish them. Serve on a plate with a scoop of ice cream and top with Katjes Sour Gummies. Drizzle with vegan caramel, for extra indulgence. Enjoy!
PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve our recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, we love hearing about your takes on our recipes. Tag @thesimplesprinkle and use #thesimplesprinkle on Instagram to share your creations with the community!
wow - so much flavor with these tasty apples! it was a crowd pleaser this weekend for our fall get-together with family!
So tasty, and easy to make too. A great idea!
Such a lovely idea to use apples! It is on my hist list now!Thanks for sharing!
Love these apples, and the candy on top is perfect!
The apples were sweet and the candies were sour- great combination.