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!!!
Easy recipe to follow. Turned out amazing. (I made a little extra of the topping because I wanted a nice full layer on top the apples) Very much a recommended recipe! 5 stars
Glad you enjoyed this Kate!! Thanks for letting me know – N x
Really great crumble! I think I would cut the sugar a bit next time as I like things less sweet! But a very good recipe! Thank you!
Great to hear you enjoyed this one Joyce! Thanks for letting me know – N x
Lovely. I used cortland apples, left half with peelings on and used orange juice instead of lemon, Yummy and pretty color. Eating as I write.
Just made it! Yum….I chose to leave Apple peelings on half the apples (I used cortland) and used orange juice instead of lemon. Yum Yum
This really is the BEST apple crumble! It was so amazing I could hardly stop eating it. I can’t wait to make this for the holidays – I’m sure my whole family will love it.
That’s terrific to hear Siobhan! So glad you enjoyed this, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback – N x ❤️
This apple crumble was amazing. Everyone loved it! Will definitely make again!
My 10 year old daughter was able to whip this up and even added walnuts. It was amazing and a new family favorite, we made it from apples off of our apple tree.
I’m jealous! Wish I had my own apple tree! 🙂 N x
Hands down the BEST apple crumble I’ve ever made! My family swooned! This will be my ‘go to’ apple crumble recipe from now on – thank you!
That’s terrific to hear Eden! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this – N x
THIS is my favourite apple crumble recipe ever! Never fails to impress!
Just wondering if I could make it and freeze it in a dish before or after cooking? I am about to have a baby and would love to pre-make this Apple crumble for a nice treat when I’m too tired to cook.
YES YOU CAN!
This recipe is awesome.. I reduced some of the sugar n its beautiful still.. can’t wait to try it with berries.. yum yum
That’s great! So pleased you enjoyed this Joanne – N x
I made it the other day, it turned out great! Thank you!
I made this beauty yesterday because I had a lot of small apples and two ripe pears that begged to be used, and the result was delicious! I have tried a few crumble recipes before, but this is without a doubt my favorite. Wonderfully crunchy, delightfully gooey, and the smell when it was baking really was divine! After I watched the video, I bought a tub of vanilla ice cream just for this (we are not used to topping our desserts with vanilla ice cream here, but it looked so good I just had to), and I was very glad I got some: they were perfect together! I will make this again and again! Thank you for sharing the recipe, and for always making such great videos – I am a very visual person, and the reassurance of a video guide is just immeasurable to me! Have a great day, Nagi!
I swear you made me love cooking to a whole other level 😁😁😁😁
Nagi, thanks for pointing me in this direction.. I love that it’s just one cooking step. I usually make Stephanie Alexander’s buttered apples for my crumble, but if I am being honest I don’t like the feeling of running butter into flour when making the topping… 😂 (that and I am feeling very lazy) So, this was the answer I have been looking for! Hope your weekend was sublime. Diana x
This ends up with the same crumbled effect because the topping is quite firm so it can be crumbled over the top, if that makes sense 🙂 N x
**rubbing 🤫
I used your wonderful crumble topping on pineapple and strawberry, oof, what a combination! And they’re so cheap right now in Queensland too ^.^ I was thinking about attempting strawberry and pineapple muffins today, do you think this crumble topping would be okay to press into the muffins during baking? I’ve gained about 3 kg since discovering you Nagi! xxx
You read my mind! I was thinking of doing a strawberry crumble! This crumble topping is fabulous to pop onto muffins. Just pile it onto the batter! PS You don’t want to know how much weight I’ve gained since I started this blog #terrifying
Simply delicious! Love that the green apples were soft but still had texture… The crumble was yum! It was perfect with vanilla ice cream. It was a crowd pleaser!!!! 😊
Hi Nagi & Dozer, I made this last week but I used Tinned apples but your crumble is absolutely delicious and making it again today , I usually try to avoid all that sugar but hey it’s not as if I have it everyday and this is for my sister as she is coming over for lunch today and will give her more to take home. 😜🐶 Cheers
I love hearing that! So glad you enjoyed this Kristine! N x
YUM!!! Made this for the first time last Sunday and my picky eater son gave me a 10/10 score 😄 Now I’m making it again per his request! Thanks a lot for the recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it Venus! Thanks for letting me know! N x
Oh WOW! If I hadn’t tasted this I would not have believed that an apple crumble could reach this level of perfection. That sweet, jammy sauce around the apples is pure heaven, and I’ve never had such a divine crumble topping in all my life. I made this in individual ramekins for a party of 8 last night and had rave reviews. Huge thanks for this recipe!
Love hearing that Rachel! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
Hi Nagi
If I was using those small/ one serve Ramekins, how long will the baking time be? I was thinking to use the ramekins so I only bake when needed.
Thanks