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!!!
Hi this sounds delicious! We can’t have dairy so could I substitute the melted butter with coconut oil? Thanks!
Hi Davina, yes that should work fine 🙂
My brother is gluten intolerant, so I substituted 1.5 c oatmeal, 1.5 c br sugar in the topping, and 1 c applesauce in the filling. It turned out wonderful
Hi Nagi. I love all of the comments and am very excited to make this. Is there any way I can make it gluten-free? Can I substitute the flour in the apples for corn-starch and the white flour for almond flour? If so, would the measurements be the same?
Hi Kelly, Use half as much corn flour to regular flour, I imagine this would work fine with almond flour in the crumble too!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I was a little skeptical when it went into the oven, thinking the topping would be dry. It was absolutely perfect. What a crowd pleaser! I did use a 13×9 pan, only because I got carried away with Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balance. Can’t wait to make another!
I’m so glad you loved it Quen!!!
Damn! All of 10 minutes prep with the most basic and available ingredients. So simple, so very good. Should probably be illegal. Better than every other crumble recipe, might as well through all the other’s out.
YESSSS! It’s that easy! SO happy you enjoyed it Rob – N x
This recipe, like all I’ve tried on recipetineats, is delicious. The only problem was that I couldn’t stop eating it.
I know this problem all too well!
To be honesty, I am not a very good cook, but your clear directions made this so easy. It was a huge hit! Thanks!
That’s wonderful to hear Meredith ❤️
Made this tonight for a dinner party and it was a hit! I’ve made much more complicated and time consuming apple crumbles, and none of them tasted as good as this recipe. Simple + delicious makes this my new go to recipe. Thank you for sharing!
That’s great Andrea!
woah. I’ve tried other apple crumble recipes, some more complicated than others… but this is actually so perfect and SO SIMPLE (which is a plus!!) this is my new go to recipe
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Laila!!!
I made this with peaches, and halved the sugar in the topping. Absolutely delicious.
Thank you Nagi. I haven’t made a recipe of yours that I, and my family haven’t loved! You’re a treasure, and I’m so glad I found you and your recipes.
I love that idea Marcia!!
Wondering if this will freeze well? I’m in a house of apple haters, but I got a hold of a ton, and I love crumble. Hoping to make some for myself, but I don’t want it to go bad before I can finish it all. As much as I want to eat it in one night, I don’t think my waist will appreciate that. lol
Hi Ashley, I would freeze without the topping and make that just before baking 🙂
I think people saying this is too sweet didn’t use Granny Smiths. It turned out perfect for me! This was a big hit and a great treat after a long day.
Nagi, I love all your recipes! I now cook from your recipes alone. I have gotten rid of all my cookbooks. I love your videos and you make me want to cook more. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration!
This is such a wonderful crumble, it really is the best one out there. I am making this for the fourth time and it’s currently in the baking process.
Can’t wait to try it with other fruits.
Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Greetings from Croatia <3
What a great recipe. I reduce the sugar in the filling to
75g and add some coconut to the topping. Friends and family favourite.
Sounds amazing Janelle!
I really enjoyed making and eating this crumble. I added some frozen berries to make in a larger dish for the family. Using melted butter in the topping is something I hadn’t thought about doing in my own crumbles. I will do from now on. This recipe is a keeper for me.
I pinched the crumble part of your recipe to go with my filling (apple ginger). It was absolutely spot on and using melted butter meant less messy fingers!
Wahoo, that’s great Lynn!
Love this apple crumble recipe. Thank you so much
Wahoo, thanks Tanya
Love it …
Awesome Anthony!
Nagi … you are a superstar … I am loving so many of your recipes… I now know if it is one of yours it will be delish!
Amazing!
This is the best, most tasty apple crumble I have ever made.
I absolutely love that you dont stew the apples, so they still hold their form and have some texture.
Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it Sonia!