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!!!
Made this today for a family dinner get together, I added mixed berries to the apple ie strawberries, raspberries blueberries and blackberries, I also added sliced almonds to the crumble..it was to die for
Thank you for your recipe
Hi! I don’t have oats around and I really really want to make this now 🙁 Do you have any suggestions on how to proceed with the recipe? Thanks!
Hi Em, you need the oats for this crumble sorry! N x
Made this today and it was sooo good. I added a little granulated ginger to the apples along with the cinnamon. Perfect recipe!!
love the crumble but my apples turned into mush unfortunately. thanks for the recipe
Hi Nagi, Would it be ok to make and freeze this before cooking? Thanks!
I used 3/4 cup of palm jaggery (for it’s low glycemic index) for the topping and it came out beautifully. My family loved it. This is an amazing recipe. A recipe for keeps. Thanks a tonne.
That’s great to hear Rupashree!! N x
Hi Nagi,
I find baking as a stress and anxiety reliever. Your recipe gave me an opportunity to relax and enjoy some needed self-care.
I cut the apples hours before making the apple crumble. In order to keep them from browning, I soaked them in cold water and salt.
Absolutely delicious – and super SIMPLE. I’ve seen recipes that ask you to crumb cold butter with flour and oats which results in greasy fingers… then I tried your recipe and it works perfectly and tastes even better than the other method!
Recipe calls for 1/2 c. white vinegar? Directions don’t mention it
Sorry, misread the recipe!! Guess I need new glasses. Making it now 🙂
Absolutely wonderful. So easy and just scrumptious with icecream.
thank you.
Hi Nagi. Another amazing recipe. Fantastic results following the recipe exactly. Also have tried adding 1/4 cup coconut (1/4 cup less rolled oats)..yummy! Or if feeling lazy… canned apples are still great with this awesome crumble.
Apple crumble is my favourite desert but I don’t have it often as my Husband and little boy don’t like it… Well until today that is. This was way easier and tastier than I was shown to make it. Thank you again for another fabulous recipe x
The topping was crunchy and sweet which complimented the soft texture of the apples. The lemon juice ensured that it wasn’t overly sweet. Brilliant ❤️ Thank you Nagi x we will definitely try some more of your recipes👌
The went according to the recipe and watched the video multiple times. However, the dish came out very dry. The apples weren’t done, and it wasn’t bubbly similar to the video. Any thoughts on what I did wrong? I’d like to give it another try.
Hi Destiny – were your apples juicy? Sometimes if you have dodgy or old apples, they are dry and powdery and if that’s the case, there is no juice to make it all bubbly! N x
Wow, thanks a lot for this! My son also wanted apple crumble yesterday for his 12th birthday instead of a cake, but my last attempt a while back with another recipe was so dry, so when I read your story, I knew I was in the right place! It turns out you are right: this is delicious and so easy!
I made this last night and instead of using apples I used a mix of berries and rhubarb – so delicious!
Lovedd the recipe but even halving the sugar it was still way too sweet 🙁 try adding less!
This was absolutely amazing, I had left over cut up apples from Christmas and hubby said they used to make it weekly in his shared housing and vote who was best so I found this tonight, so quick and easy not having to pre cook the apples, he said hands down the best apple crumble he’s had in his whole life. It is very sugary but Delish
Can I use all purpose flour instead of white flour?
All purpose is white flour
Hi, if I prepare this ahead, do I need to refrigerate the apple filling mixture too? Thanks
Yes you do Sarah 🙂 N x