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!!!
Made this on a cold snowy day and it warmed us all right up! My mom said she could eat this everyday till she dies lol. After reading a couple of the comments, I reduced the crumble sugar by half (esp since I didn’t use Granny Smith apples) and it came out absolutely perfect. Thanks Nagi <3
I’m so glad it was a hit ❤️
Hi Nagi!! This recipe looks delicious. I was thinking of cutting the recipe in half, and dividing the batter between 4 ramekins. Do you think this would work? And would the cook time be the same? Thank you!!
Hi Katherine, that would work fine, I’d keep an eye on them and check at about 25 minutes or so to make sure the apples are cooked ❤️
I’m planning on making this for my company tomorrow night, but wanted to make it today. If I were to bake this in full, should I refrigerate it until the next day or would it be okay on the counter? Where we live heat isn’t an issue right now.
Hi Megan, I would refrigerate it. I hope you love it!
Made this last night to follow your sausage bake. It was delicious and had great consistency, but like some others, I found it extremely sweet (and I have a massive sweet tooth). Used red apples because I had a bunch to use up so I know that was part of it, but will experiment with green apples and less sugar next time. Will also serve with cream rather than ice cream to cut through. Great recipe though, thanks!
Yes it definitely depends on the type of apple as it can affect the end result, but you can definitely reduce the sugar if you prefer ❤️
WOW WOW WOW!!! I have made many an apple crumble and I am always looking for the ever elusive perfect Apple Crumble recipe…well my quest is over this is it. Perfect in every way!!!! my guests loved and we loved it too. There was a little left over the next day and it was almost better the next day. Many thanks!!
Wow! That’s awesome Deb!!! I’m so happy it was a hit!
Just made this apple crumble this very snowy day and like other comments, it is sooo delicious. Will surely make this again. Thanks for the recipe
I just made this – currently chowing down with my bf – and all I have to say is WOW!! It came out amazingly good. I followed the recipe exactly. I used sweet (Royal Gala+Macintosh) apples instead of granny smith. Everything is perfect!! Served with vanilla ice cream. This recipe is defiantly a keeper! Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome Jessie! ❤️
Delicious! I’ve made it a ton of times. My recommendation is to halve the sugar,. No need for white sugar in the topping. Half a cup of white sugar over apples is sufficient. Especially if serving with ice cream or whipped cream.
Just made this for Christmas dessert, will definitely be saving the recipe! Delicious and everyone loved it! I added a touch of almond extract to the applied and sliced almonds to the topping before baking, sooooo good!
Hi – just wondering if I can switch this out for a more summery fruit such as peaches or berries?
Sure can!!
Got a lot of good reviews from my guests, but I found it really very very sweet even tho I used green apples. Next time, i’ll Probably half the sugar in the crumble topping, and add extra butter (not melted) to cut into the crumble. I made it the day before serving and it was a bit dry in spots. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Sorry you found it too sweet – depending on the sweetness of the apples, it can alter the taste of the dessert!
Hey Nagi!
I made your Apple Crumble at the weekend and I have been told that it was the best Apple Crumble they have ever had!!! It actually was! Thanks for sharing. Every recipe you make is a winner. Forget Jamie, Gordon and Nigella… it’s Nagi for me 👍🏼😘 xxxx
Wow what a compliment! Thanks so much!
This is more so for me. Love Granny Smith apples for strudel. Does Dozer loves apples? My sister dog loved apples. Won’t write more because of spelling its nightmare.
He loves apples! Whenever I’m munching on an apple I have to bite off a chunk to give to him 🙂
I made this yesterday for Thanksgiving, and my family raved! I used honeycrisp apples (granny smith are just too tart for me) and didn’t remove the skin. The only other alteration I made to the recipe was adding a little nutmeg. There was a little bit leftover, and it tasted even better when I had some for breakfast this morning. This apple crumble is definitely going into my regular baking rotation!
So pleased you enjoyed this Anne! Thanks for letting me know! N x
I second that!! Definitely the best apple crumble I’ve ever made! This one’s a keeper!
Wow! This is the most delicious apple crumble I’ve ever had. Definitely going to make this again for Thanksgiving tomorrow, thanks!
Hi Nagi, can’t wait to try this out! Are frozen berries ok or is it better to use fresh ones? Also, can you replace the white sugar with brown? All of your recipes I have tried out so far have been brilliant! Thanks for sharing your gems!
Can you bake this ahead and heat it up later ?
Ooh yes! Make sure the crumble covers the top entirely to minimise heat escaping while it cools. Then to reheat, I like to give it a head start in the microwave to get the filling warm then pop it in the oven just for 7 – 10 min at 350F/180C to crisp the top. Otherwise, about 20 minutes in the oven should do the trick to reheat it! N x
This is just excellent, thank you for sharing. I had only 1lb of apples, so I halved your measures, and it turned out exactly as I’d hoped. Will be a regular reader, now that I’ve found your site
Glad you loved it Dan! N x
Made this yesterday using vegan butter and a lot less sugar on the apples and I added a handful of blueberries and it turned out amazing!! So easy!!
That’s great to hear Michelle! Thanks for letting me know! N x