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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Oh wow Nagi! This apple crumble is perfect. I’ve made it twice in a week. Sometimes it’s the simplest, most basic recipes which are the hardest to perfect I think. There are many good recipes out there, but this one is perfect. Having mine with vanilla bean ice cream now as I’m writing.
Ice-cream is a MUST Felicia, thanks so much for letting me know ❤️
I am dying to find this crumble! And I found it! Thank u for the recipe, it is a bit too sweet or I hope I measured them right, but otherwise it’s perrrrfect! Will do it again and going down on the sugar
Hi Laura, you can definitely reduce the sugar – it all depends on the apples used as some are sweeter and some more tart 🙂 N x
Fabulous!! I added a few drops of vanilla extract to the topping and to the apple filling. My husband said this tasted like something from a 5 star steakhouse
That’s the best compliment Shilpa, I’m so glad it was a hit! N x
I love all your recipes and this one was no exception!! I used canned apples for a time savvy option, used a little more flour in the filling and it turned out delicious 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shenaede! N x
Hi Nagi i made this today i halved the ingredients but for some reason it tasted a bit doughy? Any ideas why that could be? Also my topping didn’t turn brown, i left it in the oven for over an hour. The filling inside was nice though
Hi Shabnam, sorry you had issues here. Did you follow the recipe exactly – sounds like you didn’t have enough butter – N x
Yes thats what i thought as well must be not enough butter thank you
Just finished a helping of your Apple Crumble, it was delicious. . . I also made a side of your butterscotch sauce from your sticky date pudding recipe. . . Holy moly -perfection!! Thanks Nagi, excellent recipe as always xx
YUM!!! I love this idea, totally decadent! N x
Fantastic perfect crumble thanks Nagi
Thanks so much Leanne ❤️ N x
What happens if you omit the baking powder? (By accident)
Hi Yovaina, the topping will just be extra crunchy and not as light 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi. Thanks for the recipe. It worked out really well – like all of the recipes of yours I’ve tried!
It was a touch sweet for me and my family so will reduce the sugar next time. The crumble topping was the best i have made.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kate – yes you can just reduce the sugar if you find it slightly too sweet 🙂 N x
I’m excited to cook this, but don’t have a 1.5L baking dish. Would this work in an 8×8 or a 9×13 pan? Should I change the ingredient volume at all? Thanks!
Sorry, cah the lemon be omitted?
Hi Lucy – you can sub with water as per the recipe 🙂 N x
I made this tonight and it was amazing! I varied the instructions slightly by rubbing the soft (not melted) butter into the oat mixture and putting it straight on the apples and leaving it uncooked for about an hour because I wanted it ready to go into the oven after the main course came out of it. It was absolutely delish and cleaned up in minutes. We served it with custard instead of ice cream – still great. Thanks Nagi!
Sounds perfect Kirsten! N x
Delicious crumble, i put it over apple i had already stewed and it was amazing, Thankyou.
Well, I have just found the absolute best crumble recipe. This will be my go to thank you so much. Want to send a pic but cant work out how.
I just made your apple crumble recipe. I could not find the amount of melted butter in the list of topping ingredients.
Hi Heather, it’s listed there under “Topping” second from the bottom (above salt) 🙂 N x
Made this for my husband and I this afternoon. I halved the recipe because it was just us two, and we ate the whole thing in 15 minutes!! Very delicious!! I’ll be making this for our Easter potluck this weekend. 🙂
😂 LOVE this Lauren! N x
My mother in law used to make this dessert and I hated it. My hubby loves apple crumble and misses it very much and so I found your recipe and decided to try it. And I love your recipe! Taste soooo much nicer than my mother in law’s! Yours is a winner! I have changed my mind about this dessert and I will make this more often for my hubby. Even he said it’s the best he had ever eaten!
hey, love your recipes, isnt it apple crisp (because oats) and not crumble?
Hi Nadia, we know this as apple crumble here 🙂 N x
I just made it! I wish I could share a pic! 🙂
How is the best way to save for later? Should I refrigerate it?
Great recipe!! What would have caused my apples to not stay more whole, instead they got mushy like apple sauce
Hi Jean, sorry you had issues here, can I ask what type of apples you used? N x