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!!!
Do you use light or dark brown sugar?
Either is fine here, Shelby. N x
This recipe came out so good.
once when i was younger i had apple crumble at a restaurant and it was the best thing ever. since then i have used many recipes trying to find one i like, and this was the recipe. i am a very fussy person and love this dish so much. definitly making again in the future!!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was perfect. 10/10 for consistency and flavour.
Love to cook it very much
great recipe – nice if you mix berries and rhubarb in with apples
I want to make this for a friend that is a celiac, so I know I can get gluten free oats… I was wondering if I could replace the flour in the recipe by making flour out of the GF oats?
Hi Jenn – I would try just subbing in a g/f flour with the oats as a couple of other readers have said in the comments. You need to make it close to the time you eat it though as g/f flour will not hold as well as regular. N x
Hello from the UK! This is the best apple crumble recipe we have had. Family all agreed!
Sooo delicious! I like this even better than apple pie, my family is always happy when I bake this!
I am so glad you enjoyed it Rowan! N x
This is a fantastic recipe! The crumble is very fudgey and the apples are soft, sweet and delicious. Highly recommend!
Can this recipe before frozen before cooking? Then popped into the oven when ready to be baked in future?
I haven’t tried that so not sure…it could affect the thickness of the sauce and the crispiness of the topping. I suspect it would freeze ok fully baked then just reheat to crisp up the crumble but I haven’t tested it yet. N x
I’ve frozen this successfully. Just use lemon juice instead of the water for the filling. Freeze in a strong (ie. Ikea) zip lock bag. Make the topping mix except for the butter. Then on the day you want to eat. Thaw filling. Add butter to the topping and assemble and cook as per the recipe.
Did you cook the filling before freezing or cook all from scratch on the day of defrosting?
hi from Mexico Nagi!
does this work once it cools down?? there’s just two of us so it will take a few days to eat… does it have to be warm?
It won’t be as crispy on top but will still taste good reheated! Or you can eat it cold if you prefer! N x
hi nagi can you use tinned apples?
i haven’t made apple crumble like this before, but i will only cook this recipe from now on. my goodness, so yummy. the apples are just right, and the crumble is so much more crunchier. love it. was a big hit with the family too.
Perfect for Fall! N x
Game changer! I always used to make the traditional apple crumble where you rub in the butter. Melting it gives the dish a caramelly flavour. I used red apples (because that’s all I had) and just reduced the cooking time and it worked perfectly.
Hi Nagi! My family loves this recipe and the crumble is amazing! May I ask if you could make an apple pie recipe? Thanks! Cheers Rachel
I am working on that now! Stay tuned… N x
Can I use gluten free flour for the recipe?
Did you end up trying the gluten free flour?? I’m looking to do the same for a dinner party next week!
I did and it worked out quite well ☺️. It didn’t keep well after though – so I’d suggest preparing it and eating it relatively close to the time you want to consume it. Enjoy!
Cooked this for my dad on fathers day. He loves the old dessert faves (not so much other modern takes) and he absolutely loved this. I think he had about 3 serves in one day! It was gone by the next lol. It was so yummy and simple to make. Classic flavours that don’t need adding to. Great with whipped cream and perhaps a little icecream. The only thing I did was double the topping recipe to make it a little thicker. Gotta love the crumb! Thank you so much Nagi! You made my dad very happy…and anyone else who managed to get a taste 😉 x
Super easy and absolutely delicious! A winner once again Nagi!
Can you use red apples?