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!!!
Best apple crumble apple ever! I used jazz and pink lady apples and used brown sugar in the filling too (though only half a cup). Confess I also added a splash of sherry too
Sounds divine Esmerelda!
I made this last night and it is absolutely out of the world! My family was asking for more after their first bite. So many apple crumble recipes have let me down but this is a keeper! THANK YOU
Woah that’s awesome, thanks Kage!
Easy to make and I prefer this recipe as I just melted the butter, and then poured the dry mix over the apples. Definitely preferable to rubbing unmelted butter in to the mix with my fingers.
Yes and it works the same way too! Such a game changer – N x
Made it tonight and it was great. I used some apples that were getting old. I think they were galas I bought a few weeks ago. Thanks for a simple yet delicious recipe.
You’re so welcome!
Do you have an apple pie recipe?
I had one in the making, will have to revisit Robert!
Made it with gala apple and frozen dark cherries. Used only quarter cup of sugar. Turned out excellent. Hubby devoured it!
Woah that sounds divine Carrie, I must try it!
Super easy and quick to make. I added 2 Tbsp of sugar to the apples instead of the half cup and unfortunately it was still too sweet for me. Next time I think I might cut down the sugar in the topping also. It was still delicious though, warm with some thickened cream. Perfect for a quick dessert on a cold evening!
Hi Kylie, sorry you found it too sweet, what kind of apples did you use? – N x
Hey Nagi. I used a mix of Gala and Granny Smith. So do you think next time ( there will definitely be a next time ) I should try it just with Granny’s?? I think it just might be my tastebuds. I usually halve the amount of sugar in most recipes. However my husband and daughter thought it was perfect and the left overs were finished off tonight for dessert with lashings of custard lol
Awesome recipe! I made this a few weeks ago and everyone loved it. Making it again today, and this recipe is definitely a keeper. Thanks!
I’m so happy you love it Giselle!
I made this today for lunch for my in-laws .
Everybody loved the crumble I have made many this is the best a real crumble.
I also put rhubarb in it .
Perfect just the right flavour not to sweet.And thank you love your recipes they are always simple to follow and taste great .
And I think everything in moderation is a perfect life.
Love love LOVE apple & rhubarb! I’m so glad it was a hit Barbara!
Hi Nagi… Thank you so much for the recipe.. it worked jus fine. Beautiful..
The Apple Crumble has 42.1 g of Sugar, how healthy is it when we’ve been told over and over by the MD’s Sugar is a killer as well as salt, therefore we should not consume that amount of sugar in a day.
You’re right Paul, that’s why I have this as a dessert and everything in moderation is fine in my world! I wouldn’t be eating this every day, more as a treat ☺️
My daughter and I made this last night and it was an absolute hit with everyone. I thought I had pretty much nailed apple crumble, but this recipe takes it to another level. I’m so glad I found it. It is our new ‘go-to’ dessert. Thank you for sharing it with us. 🙂
Woah what a compliment Eileen! Thank you – N x
Made Apple Crumble for the first time and used this recipe! It was a complete success!! Hubby not too big in deserts but ate almost half of the serving. Thank you for such an easy recipe. Making it again tonight for a dinner party! 😀
Absolutely love it! Tried a few different Apple Crumble recipes and this one is definitely the best one!!! 😁
Just wondering if it’s better to be reheated in the oven or microwave as I have leftovers of it and should I store it in fridge covered?
Thank you so much, made my Friday 😊😋
Thanks so much Bel! I’d store covered in the fridge, then reheat in microwave or oven ❤️
Loooove it!!! My favourite apple crumble recipe! Hubby said its the best! Thank you 😘
Glad it’s a hit! Thanks for leaving a comment, Lei! –Nx
OMG!!!! I was just browsing looking for one of your recipes for a dessert for the coming Saturday and saw your comment. I tried to hover over “serving” and the magic happens. That’s fantastic. I never realised we can do that. I always have to calculate how much I need for each ingredients if I want to make for more people. Sooooo clever – I am impressed. Again I love all your recipes and you are the queen in our kitchen – Thank you so much.
Boom! No more calculators Jenn ☺️
Ok just thank you. And I added a bit of vanilla to the melted butter and a bit of lemon zest…well because I used the juice. Fabulous
Perfect Much!!
How many cups is 2 pounds?
Hi Shirley, this is about 3-4 apples depending on their size, which is about 2-3 cups worth, the measurement doesn’t have to be exact ❤️
OMG!!!! I was just browsing looking for one of your recipes for a dessert for the coming Saturday and saw your comment. I tried to hover over “serving” and the magic happens. That’s fantastic. I never realised we can do that. I always have to calculate how much I need for each ingredients if I want to make for more people. Sooooo clever – I am impressed. Again I love all your recipes and you are the queen in our kitchen – Thank you so much.
Hi Shirley – I just weighed for 2 lbs and it was about 3 medium, using Macintosh apples. I used almost 4, though, because that was how many I had, and they were turning soft. There will be wiggle room for the apples in this recipe.
10/10Hubby said
Apples from the garden, good texture and not too sweet- literally perfecto
Hi Nagi. This recipe looks great. I’m looking to make it next weekend as am having a dinner party for 10. How could I adjust this recipe so it would feed 10? Many thanks!
Hi Max, you can adjust the servings to 10 and all the ingredients will adjust for you ❤️
Dear nagi thanks for this gorgeous recipe.. absolutely loved it and will be a staple go to dessert recipe from now on 🙂 ❤️❤️
Yassss!