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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Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Hi Nagi, the recipe looks amazing. Can I add this as a filling in a pie crust? If so, how would you adjust the cooking time to make sure the crust is cooked?
Hi Sara, you sure could – depends on the type of pie crust you’re using here, but I would think 45-50 minutes will be fine. N x
Yummm!!! Is there any chance you could give us the “make in a mug” recipe equivalent for a quick after dinner treat?
Never even heard of it Elizabeth, I’ll look into it! N x
Yum 😋 a mug crumble sounds delicious. I’d love a gluten-free version
Made this with just apricots – so good!
Yum! Great idea Rachel!
my kids bought in some rhubarb for me to cook, could i add it to this recipe. i assume i would reduce the apples?
Hi Greg – you can definitely just add some chopped rhubarb in there and leave the rest of the recipe as is! Yum!!
Hi Navi, thank you for sharing your recipe, my son has food allergies. He is anaphylactic to eggs nuts and a list that goes on. This is a desert he can eat . It’s a simple, yet flavourful. It’s hard finding recipes that my son can eat and like. Thanks a million. Josie
Oh I love hearing that Josie ❤️
can i substitute sugar for sweeteners in this recipe please
Hi Graham – the apple mix should work with sweetener but I’m not sure the crumble would go crunchy – would love to know if it works!!
Wow! I just made this to surprise my husband (apple crumble is his favourite) and he is now passed out next to me in a blissful food coma. He LOVED it! Thank you for another amazing recipe and for making me look like a rockstar yet again!
😂 That’s the BEST Jess!! N x
Just made it for the family, they all loved it!!! Thank you for a great recipe.
Wahoo! That’s great to hear Sue – N x
Great recipe as long as I halved the sugar for the crumble and didn’t need any sugar for the apples.
Hi Elissa, you can definitely reduce the sugar, depending on the type of apple used it will affect the sweetness in the end result – N x
So good, another winning recipe from you Nagi! Cooked for the fam the other night, everyone said it was the best apple crumble they’ve ever had!
Wahoo, I’m so happy it was a hit Kellie!
Hi Nagi
Just wondering if the Apple mixture could be made ahead of time (uncooked) and frozen? I have a huge bag of apples from the tree to use!
First time I made it I doubled everything cuz we had guests (what was I thinking testing a recipe on guests??!!) but thankfully it was wonderful. Two sweet for our family tho. This time just made one batch with less sugar and it was perfect. I also just leave the skin on and still works well – saves work and I think there’s nutrition there. The video by the way is ingenious food porn with golden syrup bubbling away and a dollop of ice cream on top. Yum!
I’m so glad you loved it ML – and yes you can definitely adjust the sugar to taste 🙂
Hello, can I double this recipe to use a 9×11 pan? thank you!
I made this one on Christmas Eve and it was a big hit. I used 3/4 cups of brown sugar for the toppings and added a little bit more of the salt (i used coarse salt). Instead of ice cream, we used yogurt and frozen fruits. Yummy! 😊
5 Stars. We made this for xmas with Bramley apples, the king of cooking apples IMHO, and didn’t change a thing from the recipe. It was the star of xmas dinner, which peeved me slightly as the missus knocked it together in 15 minutes and I’d spent all day on the turkey and trimmings 🙂
Excellent recipe Nagi!!
Yum! I used less sugar but I do this for all dessert recipes. Ive also used the apple filling recipe to compliment bread pudding and custard sauce. Thanks so much for the recipe Nagi x
My biggest concern of this recipe is the sugar. Some said it’s too sweet. Could you please tell me your personal use red or green apples used and the amount of sugar you’ve used which is just right and not overly sweet and not too bland but acceptable for everyone to enjoy?!
Really amazing!!!! Thanks Nagi.
Hi Nagi. How many times can you hear how amazing this recipe is? Well here you go….. I am not much of a dessert eater or baker but I tried this recipe and it came out beautifully, and was beyond delicious. I’m making it again tonight for company. That’s how confident I am about this recipe and what a rave it’s going to be for my guests. Thanks Nagi. You also crack me up!
I’ll never get tired of hearing such awesome feedback – than you SO much Geraldine ❤️
Perfect. The first time I’ve made this and it’s perfect 🙂
Wahoo, thanks so much Meeral!
Delicious! I did use the lesser brown sugar option to suit my tastes, and the butter, brown sugar and a little salt gives the crumbly topping a scrumptious salted caramel flavour – YUM!!!
I’m so glad you loved it Sherrie!!