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!!!
The problem with this crumble is that it is so easy to make which leads to making it many times leading to a hectic weight gain in a short space of time! Well this is what happened to me during the lockdown in 2020. It was winter in South Africa & all I could think of was this crumble & those no knead dinner rolls. To make this recipe even easier, I don’t peel the apples. I cook it skin & all & it’s yummy. Well it’s winter in South Africa again & guess what’s bubbling away in my oven ……
Fucking delicious. Thanks Nagi!!
absolutely delicious and so very simple
Oh my gosh! Another outstanding recipe. I made some anzac cookies and all of a sudden I’m falling in love with recipetineats (and Dozer). I served this apple crumble for some friends and they loved it. Thank you so much Nagi x
This is possibly the greatest thing I have ever made. Yum. Just yum.
Wow. So easy and delicious.
Made this recipe tonight for dessert. I find watching the video first is such a wonderful resource and gives me a good idea if the steps but also what the dish should look like through the various steps and end product. This came in really handy tonight when I realised that after the recommended cooking time my apples were still a bit too crisp. I ended up covering the dish with foil and cooked for a further 10 mins. This was due to my old gas oven
Result: perfection and delicious.
Hi Nagi and Dozer, another 5 star recipe thank you. Last week tried the Strawberry crumble last week delicious, so couldn’t resist the Apple crumble, as a side note used the Strawberry topping for the Apple crumble, it was soooo good.
Yet another awesome recipe by Nagi! Had some overripe banana sitting at the counter but didn’t want to make banana bread again. Went through your website (my #1 go-to website whenever I need inspiration) and decided to try this recipe but with banana instead of apple. It turned out great! I like the fact that the crumble is super easy to whip up. Didn’t prep my banana much. Basically just sliced them up and sprinkled some cinnamon over it. Followed the crumble recipe exactly except for the sugar (I cut down the sugar by half as banana is sweet itself). Super good!
Can this be prepared and then frozen to be baked later?
I haven’t tried to be honest Lorraine, would love to know if you give it a go!! N x
What a beautiful apple crumble.. Best ever x
Thank you
That’s fantastic to hear Jane, thanks so much! N x
This is my favourite apple crumble recipe! I make it time and time again for my extended family and they love it, as do I 🙂 Thank you, Nagi
You’re so welcome Vera, I’m so glad you love it! N x
The rest of the world doesn’t use imperial cups – we use metric cups. Americans are the imperial users. Metric tablespoon is 20ml not 15ml too.
Hi Mel, I cater for everyone. Click the metric toggle and you’ll get all the ingredients in grams/mls which is standard no matter where you are. N x
Delicious, as are all your recipes. Thanks
My topping didn’t come crumbly 🙁 Maybe cause i used normal sugar instead of brown?
Nagi, I would like to make this for vegan grandchildren and lactose intolerant son in law. Would it be ok to substitute the butter with oil?
I usually use Nuttelex (dairy free margarine). Maybe slightly less than the butter amount. I have used oil but it might not be quite as good – but you could try 1/3 cup of oil.
Thank you Gayle. I will try the Nuttelex.
My family enjoyed the crumble. It helped that I reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup. The Granny Smith apples held their shape but perhaps I need to cut them smaller next time.
Tasty recipe. I used half the sugar for both topping and filling and it was much too sweet for me. Next time I will try ⅓ the amount. I also added vanilla and cardamon to the filling. Yum!
I haven’t made this yet, but can I use salted butter? I don’t have any unsalted butter 🙁
I never use unsalted butter just don’t add the pinch of salt 🙂
The recipe is beyond delicious! I make crumble often but it has never been this big a hit as this!! Just perfect