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!
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
More Apple recipes you’ll love!
- Baked Apples with Caramel Sauce (self saucing!)
- Magic Stay-Moist Apple Muffins
- Apple Bars
- Apple Cake
Apple Crumble
Watch how to make it
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Apple Crumble
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:
Originally posted April 2016, updated with new commentary, recipe video and fresh new photos. No change to recipe!Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Fantastic recipe which achieved a huge “thumbs up” from my super fussy teenage daughter. She says I can make this one again. She has never said that about any previous crumble recipe that I have tried and regularly requests the supermarket version! Thanks Nagi for giving me an approved alternative.
Made this the other night and it is definitely the best recipe out there. I love how you include a video and various permutations for using different fruits, etc. Well done. Thank you.
Hi Nagi, l made this for the 1st time, was a bit worried the apples wouldn’t be cooked without pre cooking them. It came out perfect. Onlu difference is it took longer to cook, about 50mins. Will definetely make it again. Thanks for the easy and delicious recipe.
Oh my goodness. I am not much of a cook, but this is hands down the best apple crumble I’ve ever made. The only slight change I made is to increase the topping by half, which gives it a beautiful thick crunchy topping. I will never made another dessert again!! Thank you so much.
I made this and it was lovely. Loved the filling but don’t like oats. Can you tell me a topping recipe using the same filling and same measurements for filling but with NO oats in the crumble please. I’m a novice cook so not yet any good with adapting recipes. Thank you.
I would use some desiccated coconut. Should work fine! In fact my Mum would add that to her oats in her crumbles.
Hi diane, I recomend useing a recipe like Jamie Oliver’s crumble recipie (google it) as it uses a base of flour!
Nagi is it possible to double the crumble and make it like a pie by putting it on the bottom of a round springform baking tray and around the sides?? Thanks.
Maybe check out Nagi’s Fresh Strawberry Bars! She does something similar. Although in that recipe you only need to reserve 1 cup for the crumble topping; the rest is used for the base. Doubling would probably give you enough for the sides as well!
Best crumble I’ve had, the only thing I’d do differently next time is make more crumble mixture as it’s so good!
I’m all for this idea too! N x
Agree! I doubled my crumble recipe. Gawd it was too good!
I made this recipe with gluten free all purpose flour and Earth Balance (a butter alternative). It was dairy and gluten free and I was even able to serve to my vegan sister. Easy and delicious! Love it!
Woah – that’s awesome Jane! N x