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:
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Excellent recipe, very easy. Slightly reduced sugar in topping to 3/4c and used Granny Smith apples and that was spot on for my taste.
I made this recipe and it was delicious. I used red apple varieties and it wasn’t too sweet for me. I cooked for 30mins and maybe should’ve gone for 10 more minutes to caramelize the topping. When I put tinfoil over to rest, there was alot of liquid due to the condensation, so don’t do that if you want a dryer crumble. I put it in the fridge overnight so hopefully the liquid is absorbed or thickened. I found the apples to not be cooked fully like an apple pie, there was a little bit of crunch and softness. I had my crumble with plain yoghurt, which was delightful. I will definitely make again.
I had a bunch of leftover royal gala apples. Even though the recipe called for Granny Smiths, I figured I can still use this recipe since my partner and I are the only ones who would be eating lol. I following everything else to the letter…and OMG. The crumble is so crunchy and the apples are tart and sweet at the same time! I would definitely make this when we have house parties!
Help me I’m a muppet!! I read the recipe as 2kg of apples. I now have a double batch of the apples prepped. Can they be frozen with the sugar, lemon and cinnamon mix on it? How long will it keep like this in the fridge?
you could use this filling for a lot of things! I love to put it on oatmeal, you could stuff it in pilsbury biscuit dough, put on pancakes/waffles. I think it should freeze well too 🙂
I would like to make this ahead and freeze. Any tips?
I’ve done this many times. Cook right through then cool and freeze. It takes a good 8-10 hours to thaw then reheat at about 150°C until it’s bubbling. Is just as good as freshly made!
I would like to make this in individual ramekins. Would this change the cooking time?
My daughter and I make ramekin apple crumble and they still take about the same to cook.
Delicious!! Thanks so much Nagi!
Brilliant. And I’m sooo looking forward to having the leftovers for breakfast (it’s healthy, oats and apples, surely.. 🙂 ? )
As per Nagi’s comment, I used half a cup of sugar in the crumble topping and it was plenty sweet enough.
I used half quick oats half regular, but would use all regular oats for a bit more crunch next time I think.
First time making apple crumble and it was perfect !! I didn’t have lemon juice so I omitted it completely and I ended using four gala apples and 2 granny smith instead of all — still came out perfect! Not too sweet, but I see how the lemon juice would balance the flavor.
I LOVED the crumble top <33
I’m a big baker but don’t typically work with fruits because I find them a little difficult.
I did find that the apple filling was a bit watery but I suspect it was because I didn’t dry my apples throughly enough after washing, will definitely have to experiment next time.
Recommend this to everyone !
The best recipe for Apple Crumble. I made it for my husband who loves it, and I wasn’t really looking forward to it but in the end I ate it more than him. Delicious and totally recommend.
do you like cats, Cat?
Amazing! Doubed the recipe to bring to a dinner party for 20 adults. Made ahead and brought tray of apples and topping separately to combine just before putting in the oven.
Everyone loved it and there was a small amount leftover that everyone wanted to keep for the next day! Will be making this one again.
I need to feed 20 people. Would 2 x this recipe work? Thanks.
There is a facility to scale the recipe … inbthe blue header of the recipe section.
Simple, easy and delicious! Took me no longer than 15 minutes to prepare!
Absolutely delicious- everyone loved it
The best! Cooked this to take to son & daughter in law’s for Easter Sunday lunch today. Adjusted the recipe manually to account for less apples and it was perfect. Best topping ever, and not too sweet either. A mix of
Royal Gala and Golden Delicious, all home grown. Super easy as well. Thanks Nagi.
This is the Apple Crumble recipe I’ve been searching for!! The only thing I did different is 1/2 of the sugar in the topping.Loved the granola type crumble and served with vanilla ice cream is the best!!. Thanks so much Nagi
So delicious and easy. I used tinned granny smith apple pie filling from Woolworths instead of fresh apples. That made the recipe even easier still. Worked perfectly. I recommend halving the recipe because it’s really filling and I think it’s definitely closer to 8 servings than 6.
My husband and I hate cooked apples but I made this today and we are converts, I was delicious.
This is the best crumble topping recipe base I’ve ever tried! (And yes, I say base because I’m the kind of maniac who adds 70g of slivered almonds for 3
extra texture and crunch and a quarter cup of tiny white choc drops as well)… I’ve made this with straight apples, apples and purloined peaches (what the neighbour doesn’t know won’t hurt him!) and 2 mixed plums, plus also apple & plum, etc. Hearty, delicious, filling and totally acceptable to eat for breakfast the next day, I say.
Sometimes if the apples are VERY firm and tart, I cook them down in a hot pan first with a bit of butter and water until they soften and get a bit of extra caramelization and it does go a whole lot jammier but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.
My absolute go to for fruit crumble, hands down and I would totally fight Jamie Oliver to defend your honour over this too 🤩😆😎
Thankyou for the apple crumble recipe. It was a winner! Live in the Clare Valley, many home cooks here, but this knocked them flat. Will be using this one from now on with my new season Granny Smiths, beautiful 😊
This looks yum! I’m thinking of making this to share with my mother and grandmother, and my mother is vegan. Do you think coconut oil would be a good substitute for the butter?
Thanks, looking forward to trying this!