Let us show you how apples and a delicious crumb topping can make a delightfully simple dessert… plus its low potassium too! This recipe gets bonus points because crumble topping is incredibly versatile. For an easy, impressive dessert, use it with any other low to medium potassium fruit (think berries, apricots, pears, or strawberry rhubarb!).

The apple lowdown…

Apples and kidney disease

Following a renal diet? Apples are a must-have fruit that is considered a “moderately high potassium” fruit. Most medium-sized apples have anywhere from 150-200 mg of potassium each.

Apple Variety Guide

There is an array of apples at this time of year, which leads one to ask, which apple works best for this recipe? In short, use what you have on hand. The beauty of this recipe is that the ingredients are likely to be already in your pantry. But if you stumble upon an array of apples, use our cheat sheet below to learn how to use the different varieties.

Cameo

Cameo is shaped like Red Delicious and has a good balance between tart and sweet. We love this for baking because of its thin skin (no peeling!) and a firm texture that does not get mushy when cooked. In addition to baking, this variety is excellent in salads because the flesh does not oxidize quickly.

Gala

This is a popular variety found in many supermarkets. It has a firm texture (great for baking!) and a sweeter flavor.

Golden Delicious

We love this naturally sweet, golden, thin-skinned variety for its versatility. Use it for baking or raw in a salad.

Granny Smith

Granny Smiths are a familiar variety known for their tart, almost sour taste. Baking mellows the acidity, making it perfect for this recipe.

Jonathan

Mr. Tom Burford, apple historian, and heirloom variety champion, describes the flesh as firm and tender with a “sprightly subacid flavor.” This variety might be harder to find, but it is a great option for baking.

McIntosh

The McIntosh has gorgeous, bright white flesh. We reserve this variety for snacking (or making apple sauce) as it has a soft texture that falls apart easily when cooked.

Pink Lady

One of my personal favorites as the variety is readily available and rarely disappoints. In addition, it has just the right balance between tart and sweet making it perfect for virtually any application, raw or baked.

Winesap

This variety is small to medium in size and has a deep red/maroon skin with a yellow background. Its firm texture and deep, complex, cidery flavor really shines when used for baking.

Ingredients

Coconut oil

• Coconut oil
• All purpose flour: feel free to use all-purpose flour, or substitute your favorite flour in this recipe
• Brown sugar
• Rolled oats
• Brown sugar: the difference between light and dark brown sugar is the molasses content – use whatever type you prefer
• Walnuts: walnuts or pecans are both low to medium potassium nuts and either work great in this low potassium dessert
• Spices: check out the “Recipe Faqs” for our two-cents about spices
• Salt
• Apples: Use our guide above to find the perfect one for you
• Lemon juice

Recipe Tips and FAQs

Phosphorus concerns?

You may have heard that nuts, beans, and whole grains are not a great choice for a kidney-friendly diet because they are high in phosphorus. Wondering why we include them in many of our recipes? We include beans, nuts, and whole grains because only about 40% of phosphorus found in these plant foods are absorbed by humans. This makes them a good fit for most people’s diets! If you have questions about adding these foods to your diet, please reach out to your dietitian.

Choose your favorite spices

This recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Feel free to add a little more if you like a “spicier” flavor. Another great option is combining the 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon with 1/4 teaspoon of ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice).

Why do I need lemon juice?

Lemon juice keeps the cut apples from turning brown. For all the fellow food science nerds out there, here’s why! Apple cells contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase. When you slice into an apple, you expose this enzyme to other natural chemicals in the apple, causing the cut area to turn brown. Lemon juice is brushed or rubbed on the apples to prevent them from oxidizing and turning brown.

Salt in a kidney friendly recipe?

Why do we recommend a pinch of salt in this low sodium, low potassium dessert recipe? Salt is a flavor enhancer. It helps bring out the sweetness from the sugar and fragrance from the spices. The amount called for in this recipe adds less than 35 mg of sodium per serving.

Baked Apple with Crumble Topping

Looking for an easy dessert that is also renal friendly? Then this recipe is a must! Not only is it low in sodium and phosphorus, it is also full of good for you ingredients!

Recipe developed by Clarissa Paimanta, RD

Print Pin

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: High Calorie, Low Phosphorus, Low Potassium, Low Protein, Low Sodium, Plant-Based

Diet Type: CKD, Dialysis, VLPD

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 239kcal

Author: The KidneyRD Team

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil cold and firm
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar packed
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or up to ½ teaspoon for stronger flavor
• 1 dash of salt
• 2 apples
• A splash of lemon juice
• Optional topping: sweetened whipped coconut cream

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350℉.
• In a bowl, add the cold and firm coconut oil, flour, brown sugar, oats, walnuts, cinnamon, and a dash of salt. Mix to combine using a fork, pressing and cutting into the coconut oil gently until the mixture is homogeneous and crumbly. Set aside.
• Cut apples in half through the core. Use a paring knife or a melon baller to remove the core as well as the stem or stalk. Brush cut and exposed sides of the apple with lemon juice, or use a wedge of lemon and rub it onto the apple.
• Place apples onto a baking tray, cut side up. If you find that your apple halves do not balance well, feel free to slice the bottom side so it has a flat surface to sit on, alternatively, lean the apples against one another. 
• Pack the oat and walnut crumble toppings on top of the apples. Add about ¼-inch of water into the baking tray to help the apple cook and prevent them from sticking. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple is tender.
• Optionally serve with a dollop of sweetened whipped coconut cream: refrigerate a can of coconut milk overnight. Carefully open the can and scoop out the separated cream into a bowl, leaving the coconut water in the can. Whip the cream with an electric mixer or a whisk until it starts to hold its shape. Then add 2-3 tbsp. of powdered sugar or monk fruit sweetener and whisk to sweeten the whipped cream. You will only need a tablespoon or two of whipped coconut cream per serving.

Notes

Optional 1 Tbsp Coconut cream (homemade): 68 kcal | 3 gm fat | 0.2 gm protein |  10 gm carbohydrates | 4.2 mg phosphorus | 19.2 g potassium

 

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @KNI_Care or tag #KNIrecipes!

KidneyRD Verdict

Crumbles are one of my all-time favorite types of desserts. Is it because they are so easy? Infinitely adaptable? A great way to add fiber to my diet? Yes, yes, and yes!

You can use this crumble recipe with any low potassium fruit year-round. Just keep in mind portion size to help keep potassium levels in check. To help, use the potassium guide below. Remember, when you cook fruit, it reduces in size. So a 1/2 cup of blueberries might become 1/4 cup after baking. Also, baking your crumble in a small, heat proof ramekin helps with portion size.

_{ALL information you read on KidneyRD.com is purely for informational and educational purposes. Information is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.}