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Apple Crumble

By:Nagi
587 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

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. I adore warm desserts like this, along with Strawberry Crumble, Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding and Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce!

Close up overhead photo of Apple Crumble with scoops of vanilla ice cream

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. 🙂

A dish of Apple Crumble, fresh out of the oven, ready to be served

The BEST Apple Crumble (Apple Crisp) - Juicy apple filing with a gorgeous CRUNCHY crumbly topping. So easy to make! www.recipetineats.com

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. 🙂

Preparation steps for Apple Crumble

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.

Best apples for Apple Crumble are Granny Smiths

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

More Apple recipes you’ll love!

Close up of Apple Crumble in a rustic white bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, ready to be eaten

Overhead photo of Apple Crumble showing the warm, cinnamon apple filling, topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream

Apple Crumble
Watch how to make it

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Close up overhead photo of Apple Crumble with scoops of vanilla ice cream

Apple Crumble

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 55 mins
Dessert
4.98 from 173 votes
Servings6 -8
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Recipe video above. A filling of tender, cinnamon laced apples topped with a nubbly crunchy, golden topping. You'll love how this Apple Crumble isn't overly sweet, and how the filling is syrupy and jammy, rather than watery or dry. The smell when this is cooking is everything! SWEETNESS - see Note 4.

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • 2 lb / 1kg Granny Smith Apples( green apples), weight before peeling
  • 1 tbsp white flour
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice (or water)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Topping

  • 1 cup rolled oats / oatmeal (quick cooking is ok)
  • 1 cup white flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar (loosely packed)
  • 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 350F/180C.
  • Peel apples, then cut into 1.5cm/ 3/5” cubes.
  • Place apple in a bowl. Sprinkle with flour, sugar and cinnamon, then pour over lemon juice. Toss, then spread out evenly I'm a 1.5 litre/1.5 quart baking dish. 
  • 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 filling come together).
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream!

Recipe Notes:

1. Weight is BEFORE peeling and coring. I like making this with Granny Smith apples because they are slightly tart. You can use any apples you want, or even pears.
Peaches work too but you can cut back on the sugar a bit. This recipe is also great for any type of berries.
Whatever you use, don't omit the sugar completely because it's part of how the filling becomes a bit jammy rather than watery.
2. Weights - This recipe is quite forgiving / difference in cup measures are relative so it works whether using US cups or Imperial cups (i.e. what 99% of the rest of the world uses). It won't work with Japanese cups (which are smaller) so please use the weight measures provided.
3. To make ahead, prepare recipe up to just before crumbling topping on top. Cover topping with cling wrap (refrigerate if it's hot where you are) then crumble over just before baking.
4. SWEETNESS: A few readers have said they find this too sweet for their taste. I don't have an overly sweet tooth, and love this as is. If you like less sweet things, reduce the sugar in the topping down to as low as 1/2 cup. It's best to keep sugar in Filling as is so the syrup consistency isn't affected. Also, use green apples - they are less sweet than others.
5. Nutrition per serving, assuming this serves 8, excludes ice cream.
Apple Crumble Nutrition
Originally posted April 2016, updated with new commentary, recipe video and fresh new photos. No change to recipe!

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 378g
Keywords: Apple Crisp, Apple Crumble
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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587 Comments

  3. Costanza says

    Hi Nagi, a quick question… would it be ok if I were to use granny smith apples that are a couple weeks old?

    Reply

  5. Trina says

    5 stars
    Amazing! Made it with tart Pink Lady apples! Added less sugar to the topping, and served with ice cream.

    Reply

  6. Kat says

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi, me again with another question! 🙈 This is the best Apple crumble recipe and I make it often, but I’ve got a handful of apples and a handful of strawberries I need to use up – could I use basically this recipe for an apple/berry crumble?

    Reply

  7. Farah says

    Hi! I made this recipe, but 1/2 a cup of melted butter wasn’t enough to make the mixture like wet sand. Would you recommend I add more liquid? Or should I keep it at 1/2 cup?

    Reply

  8. Emily Zollinger says

    5 stars
    I made this for my father in law for his birthday, but he only got one piece because my mother in law said she could not stop herself, she loved it so much! It’s always a success in our house, and my toddlers love to help make it! Easy to make, not overly sweet, good for any time of the year. I also made it gluten free with almond flour and it was still incredible!

    Reply

  9. Faye Drury says

    5 stars
    I made this the other week. It was amazing and went down a treat. I found some tinned peaches and pears that have been sitting in the back of the cupboard for i dont know how long lol so im rustling a quick crumble with those using your topping recipe. I know fresh is much better but ive been trying to make cupboard space with minimum waste so thought I would try it rather than bin them. Thank you Nagi x

    Reply

  10. Zai says

    5 stars
    Tried making this it was fantastic. I mixed granny smith apples with some leftover peach, and accidentally browned my butter which gives it really deep caramel-ly taste.

    Reply

  11. Camille says

    5 stars
    I made this the other night for my partner’s family and it went down a treat!!! It was so delicious and I plan on making it again for my own family tonight! So delish!

    Reply
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