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?
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Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Hi Nagi! I really wanted to try thus recipe but how can i make this into a pie? Should i just put it ona pie crust, simple as that?
Best apple crumble recipe ever! One note – I thought 2 cups of sugar for the crumble was a lot. I halved this and it was still very sweet. Other than that change make this immediately! – while my partner was eating it he was staring at me with such love in his eyes I’ve never seen before!
This recipe performed above expectations! Really stinkin good and easy! I plan on making it for our next family gathering. Thank you for sharing with us 🙂
I have a question. What keeps the apples from sticking and scorching on the bottom? Apples are sky high lately so I want to not muck this up. I have everything ready. I am going to bake in a large deep round pie pan (pyrex glass). Thanks. Hungry in FL.
I’ve made this several times and the juice released by the apples makes it all work! Enjoy!!!
Absolutely loved it!!!
Love this recipe. If I wanted to prepare it ahead of time, how far in advance could I do it?
Delicious! Didn’t change a thing, it us perfect 🤩
This was my favorite apple crumble/crisp I’ve made thus far! It was easy and delicious. I doubled the recipe. A couple minor tweaks I made were; I cut the white sugar down to 2 tablespoons which it still came out great and I didn’t have lemon so I omitted that! But still amazing! I highly recommend!
I forgot to say I added chopped pecans to it too and it was awesome!
I made this recipe and kids loved it. They thought it was store bought because it was too good, lol. Was wondering if you could make it with pears as well or it wouldn’t be the same?
Hi Heather,
I quite often make my crumble with half apples and half pears and always yummy
I made this today! Family loved it so much❤️ I used my apples harvested from my backyard👍 Thank you Nagi😘 Your recipe was so easy and tasty👏Goals👏
Oh Nagi! You have just made my life so much easier! My husband absolutely adores apple crumble and his family recipe is somewhat laborious! This was gobbled up within moments of being served!
I’m a huge fan of your recipes so when I was craving apple crumble last night I jumped on your website straight away because surely “recipetineats” has a recipe and my goodness it was sooo delicious! I can’t wait to try different fruits… I’m thinking peaches next! Yum! Thank you for this recipe Nagi x
The best apple crumble I’ve made. Topping was fantastic. I added a few sticks of roasted rhubarb the second time I made it – delicious.
Made this recipe today, apples I bought from the store were not great to eat so instead of wasting them I searched and made this….WOW….amazing! Whole family loved that I bought crappy apples 😀
Perfect Vivian, it’s really versatile so you can add berries or rhubarb here and it’s amazing! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! N x
OH YES! I was just wondering if I made it with Apple and Strawberries if it would work. I made the strawberry crumble the other day, it was amazing!
Amazing as are all the recipes on your website 🙂 Big fan! Quick question – Do you think it will work with gluten free flour and oats?
I’d love to know as well Diane – let me know if you try it! N x
Thank you for this recipe! I made it for a lunch with friends today and had rave reviews. And I also made your broccoli salad with the sour cream dressing and got rave reviews on that too! So awesome!
Perfect crumble topping. And the Topping to Apple ratio is perfect. I used Jazz apples (what I had on hand) which are quite sweet so I cut the sugar slightly to 1/3 cup. The apples were a touch harder than I like after 40 minutes but exactly how the family likes them so a winner in my books.
Thanks Nagi!
I made this recipe exactly as written and it was DELICIOUS!! The only thing I did differently was bake in a cast iron skiller rather than a 1.5 quart baking dish. Absolutely will be making this again. My husband loved it. Thanks for sharing it with us!
I love this recipe with apples Nagi! However can I know if I can use peaches or strawberries for the same recipe to give it a different twist? Please let me know!
Hi Dat,
Just a heads up that Nagi mentions in the post that you can use any kind of berries. You can also use peaches but will want to cut the sugar a bit 🙂
Oh of course she does! i have missed that! Thanks SO much Holly! Totally excited to make it with strawberries and peaches ! 🙂
Absolutely killer dish! It’s a family favourite and a go-to dessert on cold nights. We love you Nagiiiii!!!
This was so yum and now it has become a family favourite….Loved it!!!
That’s awesome Sherien, I’m so glad you love it! N x