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!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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 NOT make this. It will be all you can think about every day, every time you go to the shops and see apple’s, you will have to stop yourself from buying more to make this again. You will outgrow your work pants and need to buy a size bigger to accommodate your ferocious hunger for this divine recipe. It will ruin your life. Please don’t make this.
(this is amazeballs and you HAVE to make it)
The best Apple Crumble ever!!! We had this with custard and it was yummy!
I love this. I also just make the crumble topping for any fruit pie I make – i’ve made nectarine and peach pies with this same crumble.
So yummy & always my go to.
Loved this recipe. Worked so well. Would it work with blueberries? For a blueberry crumble?
The best recipe ever!!! I had to leave a review. 2nd time making it and I have been thinking about this recipe since the first time I made it! Thank you for sharing I will never use another recipe again!!!
Delish! Super easy and this crumble has a great texture
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shawn!! N x
Excellent
Apple crumble was excellent. I am happy I followed this recipe
Thanks so much!! N x
I made apple crumble for the dinner. Last time time I made tiramisu. Both turned out excellent.
I was so happy to follow this recipe. Infact I have trust in these recipes that without my trying them first, I can easily make it for dinners and parties. I made apple crumble for the dinner. Last time time I made tiramisu. Both turned out excellent.
Easiest and most delicious apple crumble I’ve ever made. SO GOOD 10/10!
Thanks so much Aseel!! N x
I have made this recipe so many times – it is soooo delicious. I double the crumble part as we love it so much!
Hi Nagi, Made this tonight using a large tin of pie apples & added about a cup of soaked dried sultanas that I had soaked with enough hot water to cover. . When combining the crumble mix I also added some of the cinnamon (that was supposed to go in the crumble topping), into the apple mixture. Baked the crumble per your instructions and it turned out great. Hubby loves custard so just poured this over his portion and one happy man…….oh, and me also, who normally does not eat desert BUT I made an exception and WOW….. YUM! xxx
Very easy and tasty. Loved the oat crumbly topping.
Mum loved it I believe she ate most of it during the week 🙂 First time I used apples this time making it with pears. But I did cut the sugar in the apples and only used 1/4 cup in the crumble.
My husband considers himself a connoisseur of apple crumble – and after 42 years of making them for him, he has pronounced yours the “best ever”!
Woah what a compliment, thanks so much Michelle!!! N x
This was 100% the best apple crumble recipe I’ve ever used… and I’ve made a lot over the years! I’m ditching all my old recipes and only using this one from now on! I cut back a bit on the brown sugar (maybe used a bit over half a cup instead of a full cup), but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. The apples were soft and in a delicious cinammon-y sauce. Not dry at all. Fabulous!!
Just made this cause I was craving apple crumble. I added blueberries to the apples and pecans to the topping and all I have to say is wowza! It’s so perfect in every way. Thank you for sharing this 🍎🫐😋
Sounds AMAZING Maria!! N x
This is a wonderful recipe but I found it really sweet & the flavour of the apples were drowned by too much sugar. I would reduce the sugar in the filling to 1/3 cup & 3/4 cup for the crumble topping. I would also add some chopped almonds or walnuts to the topping to give it a nicer texture with a bit more interest. I also would add next time 1 tsp of vanilla extract to the topping as well. If you serve this with ice cream & make the recipe as is, it really is a bit of a sugar overload & you lose the flavour of the apples unfortunately.
Hi Marin, can I ask what apples you used? Some types are sweeter than other and this could be the reason why you found it a little sweet – N x
Sure! I used fresh Granny Smith apples.
AMAZING! Love this. So easy to make & so delicious. Total hit in the household. Thank you for a wonderful recipe
So tasty! and easy to make!