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!!!
This has become my go to desert! It’s quick and easy to make, and everyone loves it. Well except apple haters and you can’t help them!
This is my go to recipe! I do half the brown sugar in the topping as suggested. I also just sprinkle white sugar over the apples which probably does affect the syrup consistency but I don’t mind that.
This recipe was easy, delicious and my only go to for apple crumble now. I read the comments before I made this and was apprehensive about using the amount of sugar that it called for, but, I realized this recipe is using Granny Smith and they are not sweet. So, I used the amount called for and it was perfect. I think if you use a sweet apple like red delicious, Jonathan or any overly sweet apple, then yes, cut back on the sugar. Thank you for taking the time to share this recipe with us.
This is hands down THE BEST apple crumble I have ever had. This recipe is an absolute staple in my house
Perfect crumble!! I use a bit more lemon and cinnamon and a little less sugar for the crumble. Soo good! Thank you
This is my go to recipe! I do half the brown sugar in the topping as suggested. I also just sprinkle white sugar over the apples which probably does affect the syrup consistency but I don’t mind that.
Smells and tastes great! thanks for the recipe!
Simple and sooo tasty. Thank you Nagi for your wonderful recipes..
Absolutely awesome food😍😍
Hands down best apple crumble recipe I have ever tried!
Been making this crumble for ages now and it never fails! I love it with warm custard but if your in Aus. you’ll probably want ice-cream!
This was a delicious crumble. We were too full for dessert on Christmas day so I froze the apple mix and the crumble top seperatly for 3 weeks. Thawed and baked it, and was still delicious. Can’t wait to make it and eat it fresh.
I need to bake this ahead of time and freeze, then thaw and reheat at the time. Would this work ok?
Probably one of the best crumbles I’ve tasted.
Really easy to make and super tasty 👍
The BEST apple crumble in the world!! I use brown sugar all the way for fillings and topping and it taste amazing!!!
Thanks Nagi! -XOXO ❤️ Rozie
The best apple crumble and very easy too! I added slivered almonds which added taste and texture. Would like a gluten free version with an oats substitute.
My gf mum uses coconut in her crumbles. Might be worth a try.
BEST Crumble EVER!!
My family and guests were gushing over this recipe! It was perfect exactly as written. The apple’s were not overcooked and the filling was caramelized and heavenly. Thank you Nagi!! (a Kiwi living in Colorado)
I have made this now twice and it is flat out the best recipe! I made it in place of an apple pie with green Granny Smith apples …for kids that don’t usually like pie…everyone loved warn with vanilla ice cream. Even my company that usually pass on desert couldn’t resist it..thanks so much. Today I added a bit of my fresh cranberry sauce to the top of the apples than the topping…waiting now as it bakes.
Great recipe. I needed it to be gluten free, so I swapped out the oatmeal for gluten free Weet bix, and it worked really well.
I was having a major craving for cooked apples when I found this recipe, and so glad that I went with it! Easy to put together with pantry ingredients. I baked the apple mixture (covered), then topped with ready-made granola and yoghurt for a great breakfast.
I did mine with Granny Smith apples and lemon juice and, if anything, found the result to be too tart. Then again, my lemon tree produces powerful lemons.
I made these with Honey Crisp apples that had some bad spots and halved the sugar (used coconut sugar as a substitute for the brown sugar and an organic granulated cane sugar instead of your typical refined sugar) and it was delicious!! I also used Alpen cereal instead of oats and it turned out very well!! Would definitely make again!
Our family enjoyed this- we mixed Fugi and Granny Smith ( what we had ) tasted great!
Read your apple crumble recipe – sounds mouth watering – will definitely try it out as I do make apple cinnamon pies. Thanks – Abs