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 Nagi,
I remember reading this recipe and thinking a while back I HAVE to make it! Well, I’m going to make it for the fam this weekend – can I make it in advance? How would I go about storing it and eventually cooking it? Can’t wait, huge fan of all your recipes!
Cristelle ☺️
Hi Cristelle! I would chop the apples then drizzle with lemon juice (stop it going brown) and store in an airtight container. Make the crumble and refrigerate. Then follow the recipe to assemble (adding flour etc). It does reheat pretty well, including the crunchy top, but it really is better made fresh! Especially the filling!
If I make this in advance, how long do i need to keep it in the oven for reheating? do i need to let it sit after reheating as well? Thank you!
Hi Kristen! I think around 15 minutes at 180C/350F will be perfect – covered, then remove cover for last 5 minutes or so just to ensure the topping is crisp 🙂
Nagi – Last night I made an Apple Crisp from a recipe I hadn’t tried before. It was disappointing. The apples were watery and rather tasteless. I went to bed thinking about what would have improved it. Flour in the apples? This morning I checked your recipe archive for Apple Crisp/Crumble. I knew you’d have the answer. YES! Flour – and cinnamon! Of course.
You are my family’s recipe goddess. NOTHING ever fails with your recipes. Thanks for being our go-to Queen of Recipes.
Awww thank you Sheri! I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed this!!! (And definitely yes to flour, makes all the difference to consistency!) 🙂 N xx
This has become my ‘go to’ apple crumble recipe; thought my previous recipe was good but yours is simpler (no precooking of apples) and more syrupy. Simply delicious. Hubby has voted it the best too ?
I’ve been making your recipes in Arrowtown, NZ, for a few months now, but haven’t got around to commenting yet. I LOVE your precise instructions, well-tested, tasty recipes and your sense of humour (I ALWAYS read your blog before the recipe, and am guaranteed at least one LOL moment!!)
Regards, Helen
Thank you for your lovely message Helen! I’m so glad you are enjoying my recipes 🙂 And especially touched that you like this one, it’s a personal favourite! N x
Hi Nagi,
I have only 500 g apples. Should I take then only half of the weight of the other ingredients?
Thanks!
Jennifer P.
Hi Jen! Yes you can halve everything OR you can just accept that you’ll have a thinner layer of apple under the crumble! The crumble is not dry, it’s really tasty, definitely tasty enough to eat on it’s own. 🙂 Up to you!
Hi Nagi, I made a version of your Apple Crumble last night. Instead of 1kg of apples I had 500/500 of apple and rhubarb. It was superb.
My husband usually makes the crumble but he was impressed with your recipe and wanted to know what was different to his. I think it’s the extra filling (flour, lemon juice etc) that make it!
Thank you for sharing.
Woo hoo! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this Angie, thank you so much for letting me know! N x
Vegan Crumble is one of my favourite desserts. Looks like it’s one of Dozer’s too! 🙂
Vegan???? 😉 N x
You know it! ?
Hi Nagi, Can I please confirm if the weight of the apples is before or after peeling and chopping? Cheers.
Great questions Paul! It’s before peeling / coring. 🙂 I’ll update the recipe!
Made it, loved it, will make it again!!
Thanks Nagi.
So glad Karin! Thank you for trying my recipe and for coming back to let me know you enjoyed it! N x
Hi Nagi, Can’t wait for your Guinness stew I’m sure I will make it you might have a few more followers I gave your website to others to check out (hope that is ok) Iwould say we’re I found you but I can’t remember I just surf the net.
CAthy
I’m so touched that you told your friends about my website Cathy, thank you!!! I’m honoured! Oooh, I hope you like my Guiness stew….I’m excited to share it! I’m going to make it this weekend!
Made your apple crumble for after tea tonight and it was delicious and so was the soft flat bread with the Guinness stew.
Cathy
Oooh! What a menu!!! I can’t believe you made THREE of my recipes for a meal, I’m so honoured Cathy. Thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed it! N x
Can’t wait to try it, read all the comments and the ones that have tried it all think it is lovely, making your soft flat bread again tonight with a Guinness Stew
Cathy! We’re in sync, I was going to share a Guiness Stew next week!! Planning to make it tonight!
Hallo Nagi, your apple crumble looks so tempting, I also love to use Granny Smith apples to make apple crumble, with ice cream….it’s best dessert ever. Hugs to Dozer 🙂
Thanks so much Amallia! Hope you are well! N x
Apple crumble makes my heart happy. A few years ago I went on a cruise and every night they offered a fruit crisp, it was heaven, sometimes Id skip savory and just order a couple of plates of this. Ha! I really do love your recipes, so yummy and simple and exactly what I love to eat. 🙂
Nagi this looks beautiful, I love apple crumble and there has to be vanilla ice cream on the side. The more I look at your clicks the more hungry I get, but then again, this is the case always 🙂
You are too sweet, thank you Muna! 🙂
Dozer looks like a great helper :). The crumble looks delicious!
He is truly a wonderful compost bin 😉
Hello Nagi! Please help me with ideas Re: Jerusalem artichokes, dear Neighbour broughted from his garden. Will make leek, pitati soup with them, but what else-Maybelline masu with sweet potankosti ??Thanking YOU with regards and Happy Mothers day! Vera.
Gosh I must admit I’m not across artichokes! The only way I have made them is roasted with olive oil, then pulling the petals off and sucking the flesh off them 🙂 Sorry I can’t be of more help. And Happy Mother’s Day to you too Vera!! N x
My husband said this is the best . Why do you need to cover the crisp when done?
So glad your husband enjoyed this, hope you did too! 🙂 I cover it to keep the topping warm while it rests. I like resting it before serving to let the filling come together a bit and also so it isn’t piping hot. But at the end of the resting time, the topping is cooler than the filling, so I cover it to keep it a bit warmer!
One of my most favourite things in the world is apple crumble. put anything in the topping you like , I dont mind,.
I bet you make a MEAN Apple Crumble Tania!!! 🙂
Nagi, I’m sorry but you are THE BOMB !
We enjoyed your beef and broccoli (again) as per request of the boys! And decided to make the Apple Crumble for dessert. wow – yes, I’ve had a Similar crumble before, BUT it was ALWAYS FLOURY, and well, MEH.
this was A-MAZING. I loved the topping, it was lovely and, well, hard to describe, but all of the ‘bits’ were together and made somewhat of a lovely, crispy, doughy top. we all give it a 10/10
My son asked, Is this Nagi’s ?
YES YES YES!!! Thank you Vanessa, I am SO GLAD you enjoyed this! I know exactly what you mean re: floury or doughy toppings that don’t crisp up 🙂 Thank you thank you for trying this and coming back to let me know you enjoyed it!!!
I LOVE apple crumble! And yours looks amazing – I love the thick layer of crumble on top!
The crumb is the best part!!! Gotta have loads! 😉