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!!!
Now my go-to recipe. Thank you so much! Probably one of the best out there.
I’m so glad you liked it Katerina!! N x
Incredibly delicious and easy to make too
I’m happy that you enjoyed it Loris! N x
I followed this recipe to a T except for the sugar in the topping, which I halved. Was delicious (definitely sweet enough for my taste) and felt a bit healthy cus of the oats! Will def make again.
Such a delicious and easy recipe! It’s just perfect for the winter weather. Lovely with whipped cream and ice cream. We are college students so I love how quick and inexpensive this recipe is. Plus it’s healthy because of the apples 😉
I’m always telling myself that dessert is healthy if it has fruit – so glad that someone else agrees with me! N x
I have made this recipe numerous times it’s divine sometimes I add another fruit with the apples awesome
I have shared this recipe and website with friends and family thank you
Hi! Can we replace the sugar in the apples with maple syrup?
Your apple crumble is amazing. Thank you.
I tried this recipe and I loved it soo much. it is a keeper recipe. have just included it to my recipes notebook.
however, I adjusted the sugar to the half for both layers.
i might decrease it even below half cup sugar for the topping as i find it too sweet.
as for the flour, I mixed half cup white flour and half cup buckwheat flour.
all in all, really delicious,
thank you alot
Such a winner. Easy, delicious and we all wanted more. I
ground fresh cinnamon – next level.
The crumble was awesome crunchy, teenagers wanted the recipe.
Nagi’s other recipes delivered as well.
Simply amazing!
Nagi is my go to find
anything I am wanting to cook.
Easy to follow recipes…
I loved this recipe! I have been making apple pies for many years now, and they always turn out good, but they are so much work. This is quick, simple, and just as good, If not better than my go-to apple pie recipe. It was a little runny, after cooking even though I left it to sit for 10 minutes but overall very good!
Can you you use Quickoats as an alternative?
Made this 5 times now and it’s always delicious. I leave the peel on the apples and cook it 15 minutes longer for a softer, stewed texture. Thank you for this perfect recipe!
I’ve been making this recipe for a few years now, and it’s great! I grew up with a family that made a dense crumble, so I actually double the topping recipe (and usually add even more butter until I get the “wet sand” texture). Just a preference! 5/5 recipe!
Hi Nagi, In your recipe you’ve noted you can make this ahead of time but just wanted to know how far advance do you think you could make it? Would day before be ok?
Yes Olivia that’s fine! N x
awesome if you control the sugar
So simple and straightforward, yet absolutely delicious! Added some nutmeg (just because we like it), and swapped some flour for almond flour. Plated sponge cake (from this site), apple crumble with some ice cream on top – made my mom’s birthday perfect! Thank you!
So delicious!!! Will make again.
Great job!
Spent quite awhile trying to find the perfect recipe 🍎
So tasty……so easy to make. It’ll be a regular!
Absolutely delicious. Very easy to make. I used a mix of Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith.
Blessed to stumble upon this recipe for the holidays! So, so easy to make with simple ingredients I already have on hand. The results were fantastic, everyone loved it. Will definitely be making this again!