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!!!
This is my go too recipe. My father in law tells me it surpasses his moms apple crumble (she is a baking wizard!!) We love this recipe so much we have printed it out and put it in our family cookbook so that it can be passed around for generations to come. SOOO good!!!
Woah – that’s a fantastic compliment Kate!!! N x
Is it better if I leave the filling in the fridge overnight before cooking? I know with most desserts letting it rest for a few hours before baking it makes it taste better
Hi Amina, I wouldn’t recommend this as the apple sweats and produces too much liquid. N x
My Apple mixture has a sweet liquid at the bottom. Should I pour it out before baking?
Hi Roger – that’s fine leave it in 🙂 N x
Can I omit the cinnamon?
Sure can John! N x
I tried this recipe tonight and not sure where I went wrong. The apples were barely cooked after having the crumble cooking for about an hour.
Are the meant to remain crunchy? And it was somewhat watery, not jammy. Where did I go wrong? Tasted pretty good as was evident from the four empty bowls but I think I will cut down on the sugar in the topping next time ( I only put in half a cup)
Hi Ruprekha, sorry you had issues here, can I ask what type of apples you were using as I imagine this may be the issue – N x
I don’t have enough butter. What should I do???
I used granny smith apples and followed the recipe pretty closely
Can I replace the oats with something? Thanks
Hi Mary, Sorry I’ve only made crumble with oats as it’s the traditional way 🙂 N x
Would walnuts or pecans work?
Hi Nagi
Can I combine Apple and rhubarb in this recipe?
Sure can Michele! Enjoy! N x
Hi Nagi, how would you recommend combining the recipe with rhubarb? I bought a bunch of rhubarb but I’m not sure how to incorporate it! Thank you! PS love this recipe, made it the other night and it exceeded all expectations sooo tasty
Nagi thank you😊
I made this tonight and it was soooo good!. The tartness of the rhubarb combined so well with the red apples and balanced out the sweetness beautifully.
Such an awesome recipe!!
Thanks again
Michele
I have finally beaten my girlfriend in the apple crumble competition at home with the help of Nagi. This recipe is really easy and will please everyone despite having different taste buds. Thank you so much
You’ll be forever making it from now on! 😂
I didn’t find the recipe to sweet but the topping was a little too dry and powdery for my taste so I would adjust next time by adding more butter and less sugar. Otherwise, this is a great recipe for apple crumble and easy to make.
This apple crumble is worth the 36 yearsi had to wait to find it!! I will NEVER settle for another apple crumble recipe. My search has finally come to an end and i am in apple crumble heaven. Thank you Nagi!!
After years making crumble the ‘traditional’ way – either rubbing the butter into the flour by hand or lugging my big, heavy food processor out of the cupboard to whizz the butter and flour together quickly before having to wash up four separate parts of the food processor – I was intrigued, but very sceptical, of the idea of melting the butter and adding it to the other dry ingredients. Clearly this couldn’t work because if it did why would every cookery book I have ever owned had me doing it the other way? I should not have doubted you Nagi, not even for a moment! The crumble topping was absolutely perfect and I love the way it clumps together in places, giving you little nuggets of gorgeousness. Never again will I spend twenty minutes of my life rubbing butter and flour together – thank you, I am forever in your debt!
This apple pie recipe is absolute delicious. I found it a bit too sweet, so will reduce the sugar a bit next time. All the same, loved it! So did my kids… thanks for the recipe.
This is outrageously good. The best crumble I’ve ever had. Thank you!
Woah what a compliment, thanks so much Natalie! ❤️
Does this reheat okay? Just wanting to make it for my sister who has had surgery and was going to cook it and take it around to her so she can reheat in the oven tomorrow
Hi Christina – I have the make ahead instructions in the recipe notes. Otherwise, you can cook it and then reheat in the oven to get that crispy topping. N x
This is the best apple crumble i’ve ever made or had. Thanks so much.
That’s the BEST! Thanks so much Tom!! N x
Best Apple Crumble, yummy!!!!This might be the once a week one,thanks for another winner Nagi🥰
Wahoo! I’m so glad you love it! N x
I’ve made this with apples AND recently tried it with plums. Both a roaring success.
Oh that’s great to know Remerta, I must try! N x
Good on YOU Dozer, waste Not want Not…I Would ASK for Apple strudle for my B’ Day. I’ll try This recipt. Thank YOU so much.
Love to know what you think Vera! ❤️
So perfect!!!! Thank you! This recipe is spot on
Thanks so much Sherina! N x
I want to make this gluren free for a friend who is intolerant. Can I replace the flour with gluten-free plain flour that I got from Aldi? Just wondering if it will make much difference to the texture of the crumble.
I haven’t tried to be honest Olivia, would love to know how it works though! N x