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!!!
Made this today and the best apple crumble I’ve ever had. So easy to make too. Thanks for the recipe.
I loved that the recipe is not too sweet – it’s perfect! I’m not typically a baker, so the recipe was really easy to follow. My husband told me it reminded him of his mum’s apple crumble, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
this recipe was really amazing!! super easy to make, and not overly sweet. It is even delicious without ice cream. i did less sugar that asked for in the apple mix, and still turned out great!
Made this last night and we couldn’t get enough, scraped out every last crumb – definitely saving this recipe! Substituted part of the sugar for stevia and turned out perfectly. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
What amazing flavours for such little input. I was thrilled with this recipe. Super easy and full of nostalgic yummy flavours.
Hi
Love your sharings ! With Covid, a lot of ingredients are hard to find. Brown sugar is one such item that went out of stock in my country. Can I replace it with caster sugar?
I had never really cooked a dessert before, my dad had learnt to cook almost solely off this site so I used this site to make an apple crumble. Super easy to understand and absolutely delicious!!!
Hi Nagi, I love your website and have told so many people about it. My question about your apple crumble is – and so sorry if it’s already been asked an answered – can you tell me how to make this into a gluten free version? Thank you so much x
Perfect. Almost ate half of the apple crumble my topping came out a bit dryer than expected might add more butter next time. Overall it was a success
Just perfect! I followed the recipe exactly and everyone loved this! It was a big hit! Thank you for another winning recipe Nagi. Yours is the only site I use when it’s my turn to cook as I always know everything turns out so darn tasty!
I would like to make this for my hubby who loves apple crumble. In this lockdown, I only have red gala apples, will that work
Yes 100% Savita! N x
I made the crumble today, was loved by the family. It took more than an hour for the crumble to brown even then it was not crunchy. Any idea what might have happened
Hi Nagi I have made this crumble and have to say it was the best I’ve ever made thank you. Do you think I could substitute have the apples for pears to make this apple & pear crumble. Cheers
Was thinking the same today so waiting on the answer myself want to make this today my husband is hanging out for crumble … thanks in advance
Yes you can. I made a pear and apple pie, it came out grest
Oops half the apples that should be
Your recipes are always great and delicious
Superb! Finally Found a CRUNCHY crumble topping!
Nagi, your recipes are usually spot on and so was this one. I reduced the amount of sugar in the topping by a little bit and added vanilla essence to the fruit mix. But otherwise, perfect!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Swati! N x
This looks amazing! I’m in Australia, is the white flour you to in the ingredients list plain flour or self raising flour?
Hi Mel – it’s plain flourished here. N x
Thank you! Will be making this weekend 🙂
I used half apples and half pears and halved the sugar in the crumble and it turned out perfect. The syrup in the fruit was just starting to turn into a lovely caramel syrup.
Great to hear Natalie! N x
Nagi- thank you for posting this recipe. We had to adapt to change our lives. My child has anaphylactic food allergies to nuts eggs citrus and much much more. It’s very hard to find a desert recipe, that has simple ingredients easy to make and taste great. It’s a big hit with my family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This looks yum! We need a huge amt, okay to just double the ingredients?
I love, love, love this recipe! It is so easy and tastes so good!! I always end up eating 3/4 of the crumble myself. Totally recommend for everyone to try it 🙂