With a warm, cinnamon laced apple filling and a perfectly crunchy, crumbly topping, Apple Crumble is an absolute crowd pleaser! Very easy to make, this Apple Crumble recipe is a keeper that you’ll make again and again.
This is a reader favourite included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
THE Apple Crumble recipe
This is The Apple Crumble recipe I’ve been making for years and years. Ever since my sister made an Apple Crumble by a well known celebrity chef for my birthday dinner (yes I’m weird, I seriously requested Apple Crumble instead of a birthday cake) and it was terribly disappointing.
Crumbly topping to be sure, but it was awfully dry and the filling was watery.
Not her fault, it was the recipe. She was not happy. Actually, she was rather grumpy.
That was the moment when I decided I needed to create my own recipe. 🙂
Why use this Apple Crumble recipe?
There are tons and tons of Apple Crumble recipes out there. This recipe doesn’t have any ground breaking techniques or secret ingredients. But it works, tastes great and it makes an Apple Crumble that is everything it should be. Specifically:
1. The apple filling is not dry or watery. It is made ever so slightly jammy / syrupy with the addition of flour mixed with the usual sugar (plus cinnamon for fragrance). Just a bit of flour really makes a difference; and
2. The crumbly topping bakes up beautifully crisp but is not dry or doughy or overly sweet. It crumbles when you serve it – hence the name 😉 – but it doesn’t disintegrate, there are chunks that hold together. Think chunky muesli/granola – like that. But softer. 🙂
Best apples for Apple Crumble
I like to use Granny Smith apples because the sweet-tart palette appeals to me. If you prefer not to have tartness, then feel free to use sweet red apples.
This recipe will also work for pears and even stone fruits like peaches.
The smell when this is in the oven is just heavenly. The cinnamon, the apple, the buttery sweet goodness.
And that moment when you crack through the nubbly golden topping and are greeted with the sight of golden syrupy, tender apples…
It’s just a little bit of heaven, right there.
Just one rule. Don’t forget the ice cream!!! 😇 – Nagi x
Apple Crumble
Watch how to make it
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. Mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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Apple Crumble
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 2 lb / 1kg Granny Smith Apples( green apples) , weight before peeling
- 1 tbsp flour , plain / all-purpose
- 1/2 cup white sugar (sub brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (or water)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats / oatmeal (quick cooking is ok)
- 1 cup flour , plain / all-purpose
- 1 cup (loosely packed) brown sugar (sub white sugar)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 125g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter , melted
- Pinch of salt
To Serve
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F (both fan and standard).
- Apple – Peel apples, then cut into 1.5cm/ 1/2” cubes.
- Apple filling – Place apples in a bowl. Sprinkle with flour, sugar and cinnamon, then pour over lemon juice. Toss, then spread out evenly in a 1.5 litre/1.5 quart baking dish.
- Crumble topping – Place Topping ingredients in a bowl. Mix until clumps form, like wet sand (see video). Spread over the apples, crumbling with fingers if required to get that crumbly topping.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove, cover loosely with foil to keep warm and let stand for 10 minutes before serving (let's the apple syrup thicken slightly).
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream!
Recipe Notes:
Originally posted April 2016, updated with new commentary, recipe video and fresh new photos. No change to recipe!Nutrition Information:
Love apple desserts?
Me too! See?
Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Very easy to follow and turned out great. I love crumble topping with oats! I used Nuttelex instead of butter to make it dairy free.
Simple to make and delicious! Definitely will make this again. Loved the oats and the lemon juice
By far and away the best crumble recipe ever! We had an all-Nagi dinner last night with butter chicken followed by this crumble and it was comfort defined. Thank you for sharing your recipes 🙂
We tried this recipe and loved it ! Added about 1/3 cup of crushed walnuts and a pinch of nutmeg. Used one whole
Lemon insted of water and it brought down the sweetness – used half golden yellow sugar half white. I did not peel my apples (no waste in this family !) We often buy reduced produce at our local Walmart for baking, this recipe is very versatile and mom of 4 approved ! A mix of up
To four types of apples has been used and it always turns out fantastic.
I bet the four apple mix is delicious!! N x
Would raw sugar work in both steps rather than white and brown? What’s the difference with using white and brown specifically?
Crumble is a very forgiving recipe so you could definitely use raw sugar if you like. It will just give the crumble a slightly different texture! N x
We loved this recipe, used red apples, raw sugar instead of white, and whole meal flour. Will definitely use the recipe again.
Thanks for those tips Natalina!! N x
Thank you for the recipe Nagi
I tried it today and I was pleasantly surprised, all my guests were in agreement
Woo hoo!! I’m glad you all enjoyed it Frunk! N x
Could i make this in a dutch oven over a campfire? Would the recipe have to be adjusted?
I love this idea, thank you!
I make this with some added coconut & golden syrup just less sugar and it becomes ANZAC Apple Crumble
I did that once! You can cook it in a Dutch oven with coals on top of the lid…it just won’t be as browned as from the oven! N x
Nagi, may I know do you bake in convection mode or just top and bottom heat? Mine was a little runny (should I be baking it longer?) but still delicious nonetheless!
Whole family and guest always love this recipe. It’s become a family favourite. It’s easy to make and best of all you can make ahead of time and then just pop it in the oven, entertain your guests and then when cooked , serve it with ice cream . However , something that I do different if we have unexpected guests at the last minute is to cheat and use quality tinned apples . This works well so I always keep a few tins of apples in the pantry in case they are needed at short notice . This one is a keeper for sure .
That’s a great tip for a last minute emergency dessert Jenny!! N x
Can you use tinned apples for this instead?
Yes Haylee I think that tinned apples would work ok here – you won’t need to cook them as long though! N x
This is the perfect apple crisp recipe, it turned out so good!!! Thank you 🙂
I have been using this delicious recipe for several years . Today is my granddaughter’s 11th birthday, and like you, she requested apple crumble for her birthday dessert!
Awwww!! Happy 11th birthday to your sweet granddaughter!! xx Nagi & Dozer!
Can this be prepped a day ahead?
I would bake it ahead then pop it in the oven to reheat and crisp up before serving it Belinda! N x
Hi Nagi,
Could I please ask how long you would leave it in the oven to reheat (and what temperature? ) Thank you!! xx
I made a peach crumble using this! Perfect! Hate rubbing butter into dry ingredients, so this was fantastic!
Woohoo!! Great job Angela! N x
This is the best crumble I’ve made and it’s so easy to make.
Delicious.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it Cynthia! N x
Made this for my housemates tonight, went down a treat! The crumble is sooo… crumbly! Haha yum!! Thanks heaps
My husband best dessert I ever made.
Such a great apple crumble, tastes so delicious! Super easy to make too!
I am happy that you liked it Lucky! N x
Best apple crumble ever! And super easy :o)
I made this last week when some family came over for lunch. They had never heard of apple crumble (a new idea for Hungarians, it seems) and were very impressed. A great recipe.
I am happy that you enjoyed it Paul! N x