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:
Nutrition Information:
Love apple desserts?
Me too! See?
Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Amy Ryan says
Phenomenal. Have now made it several times and can’t recommend highly enough!
Ann says
I got confused when making this. Please separate the topping into a separate list and label it as Topping. I didn’t find the amount of topping w enough for a kg of apples. I would double it
Threads guy says
This recipe is so good! I love apple crumble and this recipe is perfect.
Susan Crosby says
Cooking meals at a school camp, I was unhappy with the results of my apple crumble dessert: no crunch at all. I used the rub-in method for the butter. Tried yours today and it was a revelation ! The melted butter is the key. Thanks so much ! The students will be very happy 🙂
Judy Goldfinch says
I don’t usually comment on recipes but this is indeed very easy and delicious. Will be making it for a fund raising function.
Julia says
Great
Keren says
So good! I reduced the amount of sugar in the topping as per the notes, and left the apple exactly as per the recipe. Delicious! Perfect!
Jo West says
Fantastically delicious! Best crumble in the world. This is a real winner in our house. Tried it with peaches and boysenberries too. It goes in one sitting. Thankyou for this delicious recipe 🙂
Christine says
Hi Nagi. Love this traditional recipe because it lends itself to variations with the fruit depending on what’s in season. Most recently I used apple (granny smith) pear (bartlett) and some chopped mango I had in the freezer. With the lemon (no cinnamon) makes a lovely tangy dessert. Icecream compulsory.
Stephanie Deck says
I’ve made this so many times and tried all types of fruit variations. Our fave is a large (US) Costco punnet of blackberries plus 3 apples and it’s superb. Berries are cheap here so we go slightly crazy with them.
Deb says
Hi Nagi, this one was far far too sweet for my dessert loving family. I halved the sugar in the crumble as you suggested…. Delicious!
But oh dear I followed your measurements exactly for the apple and it was sickly sweet. I used Granny Smith apples.
On the bright side the pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon was a great hit as was the potato salad with lemon.
Helen Stuart says
This is the best recipe! I subbed feijoas for the apples and ginger for the cinnamon, soooo yum! Definitely one of the best crumbles I’ve tried. Nagi, you need some Feijoa recipes please! For us Feijoa lovers ❤️ love all your recipes, my first place to look if I want to make something
Cat Howard says
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.
Suzi says
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.
Kristin says
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!
Ashlee says
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?
Hailey says
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 🙂
Joy says
I would like to make this ahead and freeze. Any tips?
Judy says
I would like to make this in individual ramekins. Would this change the cooking time?
Josh says
My daughter and I make ramekin apple crumble and they still take about the same to cook.
Monika says
Delicious!! Thanks so much Nagi!
Minerva says
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.
Fara says
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 !