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!!!
Hi! if we wanted to make individual serving sizes would that effect the bake time?
Hi Sakhi, yes the cook time would be slightly reduced depending on the size of the portions. N x
If I dont have white sugar for apple mix will raw sugar be ok ?
Hi Elly, that will be fine – enjoy! N x
My whole family loves this! It was so delicious. Definitely making again.
Hi Nagi, a quick question… would it be ok if I were to use granny smith apples that are a couple weeks old?
I have this baking in the oven right now!!!! Can’t wait!
Enjoy Kelly! N x
It turned out amazing. Making it again right now. Thank you so much!
Amazing! Made it with tart Pink Lady apples! Added less sugar to the topping, and served with ice cream.
Hi Nagi, me again with another question! 🙈 This is the best Apple crumble recipe and I make it often, but I’ve got a handful of apples and a handful of strawberries I need to use up – could I use basically this recipe for an apple/berry crumble?
Yes most definitely – it will taste great Kat! N x
Hi! I made this recipe, but 1/2 a cup of melted butter wasn’t enough to make the mixture like wet sand. Would you recommend I add more liquid? Or should I keep it at 1/2 cup?
Hi Farah – can I ask what weight you used? N x
I made this for my father in law for his birthday, but he only got one piece because my mother in law said she could not stop herself, she loved it so much! It’s always a success in our house, and my toddlers love to help make it! Easy to make, not overly sweet, good for any time of the year. I also made it gluten free with almond flour and it was still incredible!
I made this the other week. It was amazing and went down a treat. I found some tinned peaches and pears that have been sitting in the back of the cupboard for i dont know how long lol so im rustling a quick crumble with those using your topping recipe. I know fresh is much better but ive been trying to make cupboard space with minimum waste so thought I would try it rather than bin them. Thank you Nagi x
Perfect Faye!! N x
Tried making this it was fantastic. I mixed granny smith apples with some leftover peach, and accidentally browned my butter which gives it really deep caramel-ly taste.
I made this the other night for my partner’s family and it went down a treat!!! It was so delicious and I plan on making it again for my own family tonight! So delish!
Can we use white sugar instead of brown sugar
Hi Nisha, I prefer brown sugar in the topping to give that caramel flavour and nice texture. N x
Delicious.
My grandson has requested this Apple Crumble instead of a birthday cake.
That’s awesome Sue! N x
How much butter is needed? It doesn’t say. Thanks!
Hi IA, it’s listed there in the ingredients under “topping” – N x
It’s only listed under the “cups” measurements, metric just says unsalted butter. I found the right weight under cups but just FYI.
Didn’t change a thing and worked out beautifully. Thanks Nagi 🙂
Perfect. I made it with half the sugar in the apple later (green apples) and 2/3 cup of sugar in the topping, and it was the most delicious apple crumbs I’ve had. Oh, and I think the lemon juice was a lovely addition too. Amazing – thank you for the recipe!!
This was awesome And a hit with our guests. I made a couple of changes. I reduced the amount of sugar in the apple filling and used just 1/4 cup sugar and cooked it first with some foil covering it for 15-20 minutes. Then I added the topping and bake JC.
Can I use regular Fiji apples instead of granny Smith green apples?
Hi Nina, yes you can! Enjoy! N x
I followed the recipe perfectly, but unfortunately still ended up with a watery mess, undercooked apples and the crust almost overcooked 🙁 the taste was amazing though, and will absolutely attempt to remake it, just maybe for longer and put some foil on top until the end. I love all your recipes so this absolutely won’t turn me off!