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!!!
So good!! I added a little extra for the topping (biscoff biscuits, graham biscuits and oats) all blended into pieces. Will reduce the sugar next round. Thank you.
I love your recipes! I have a couple questions.
1. Why is the baking powder needed?
2. How does the crumble turn out with melted butter versus not melted and working it in?
Hi Kathy, baking powder just makes the crumble crispier and lighter in my opinion! I like to melt the butter rather than rubbing it through the crumb because it’s easier and achieves the same result! N x
Thank you!
Did your apple crumble and it was fabulous, I had it with ice cream and my wife had it with plain yogurt.
Mmmmmmmmm!~!!!!
Thanks
Thank you for this!
Good recipe and good portion sizes!
Really good but a little too sweet. Less sugar next I guess. Thanks, it was delicious!
the recipe was delicious, Even without brown sugar because I ran out. And today I’m making it with brown sugar. You make great recipes
My first crumble, great flavor, but still watery. Any suggestions for how to get a thicker filling?
Try more flour!
Made this yesterday with home grown apples. The best recipe I’ve ever found for Apple crumble.
This is by far the best crumble I have ever tasted! I don’t usually like apples or crumble but I’m now converted 😊
Made this for my dad’s birthday and everyone said it was the best crumble they’d ever had. Didn’t feel the need to tell them just how easy it was to make! Soooo yum thanks Nagi!
Hi! What if I don’t have oats? It’s hard to go shopping and find supplies with the quarantine 😢
Hi Nara! Got any sweet plain biscuits? Crumble them into chunks and use that instead (same amount as recipe). Or even rice bubbles, cornflakes or other cereal – anything a bit crunchy and relatively neutral flavoured. OR flaked almonds or desiccated coconut! Hope that helps – N x
hi! will it alter the recipe much if i eliminate the oats all together? i have never been a fan of oats in a pie or crumble but would love to make your version.
Best Apple Crumble Ever! I am intimidated by baking even the simplest of things!! But after reading the reviews I decided to go ahead and give it a shot. I am not a baker and this was the first time I EVER made something like this – your directions were very simple to follow and I followed them to the T! It turned out to be less complicated that I thought it would be and the end result was absolutely delicious. My sister in law and kids said it was “the perfect apple crumble”! It was gone in 5 mins and I had to make more (made a double batch next time around and was thankful that I did! That was gone too!!). So thank you soooo much! I will be cooking more of your recipes 🥰
Can you use quick oats xx
I tried it and it was beyond delicious. I used red apples and didn’t adjust the sugars. It was perfect for us. I made sure to weigh out the apples to ensure I didn’t have over 2 lbs. before peeling and it came out perfect and not watery. Such a perfectly balanced recipe. Thank you!
That’s great to hear Cindy, thanks so much!! N x
This turned out great! I was a little afraid with regards to the addition of oats – usually my mom does without them but my family happily ate it all up. Gone within a day! My only lament is that the filling came out a tad watery. Perhaps next time I’ll precook the apples instead.
This is my family’s favourite crumble recipe. I usually cover the apples with foil and pop them in the oven for half an hour or so before putting the crumble on because my lot prefer a more “stewed apple” texture.
Love this recipe. Always up for a warm crumble and icecream. The flour in the fruit is the key.
Btw. I have doubled crumble topping recipes before that use melted butter and they freeze really well in a zip lock bag. Always handy to have on hand when you want to use up fruit for a crumble.
Are there specific kind of oats used in this recipe?
Hi Ramona, just rolled oats. N x
I have tried this recipe twice already and each time it comes out watery. Still has great flavor, but can someone tell me what I’m doing wrong. Are there certain apples I should be using?