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:
Nutrition Information:
Love apple desserts?
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Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Jane says
Hi nagi. Can you use frozen apples for this recipe?
Nagi says
Hi Jane, you can, just thaw and drain off any excess liquid. N x
Suz says
Hi Nagi, love love love your recipes I’ve tried so far! Tuna casserole bake is a fav, just discovered your raisin & oatmeal cookies (OMG) I could go on….
Just wondering can this be made ahead and frozen? Time poor working mummy of 2 here….
Nagi says
I’m just not sure about that crumb staying crispy if it’s frozen Suz – something I’d need to try sorry! N x
Christine Brady says
Excellent recipe! I make a triple recipe of the crumble topping and keep it in the fridge for an easy dessert using any fresh fruit. It’s great with berries, peaches, apricots, pears, almost any fruit.
Jane says
This is a beautiful recipe.
Thank you
Can you use jumbo oats for this recipe?
Nagi says
Hi Jane, as far as I know, jumbo oats are the same as old fashioned/rolled oats. N x
Ameena Aneesh says
Nagi… I love your recipes. I’ve tried the chocolate cake, vanilla cake and now the apple crumble. I’m so thankful for the sugar note, as I’m very picky about too much sweetness. Needless to say, it turned out fantastic 🌹. Thanks a million ❤ and stay blessed 😚😚😚
Tina says
Hi Nagi! Can I use a low sugar Granola instead of rolled oats?
Nagi says
Hi Tina, granola is already baked, I’m not sure if it would go too golden and how it would affect the texture here sorry! N x
Nisha says
Hi! Can I use steel cut oats in the recipe? (Quaker ones which say can be cooked in 3 mins)? Thank you!
Caleb Wojta says
this turned out delicious! thanks for the recipe i loved it!
Jae says
Great recipe! Easy to make and very tasty. I reduced the sugar for the filling to 1/3 cup and the topping to 2/3 cup.
Sharon says
OMG Nagi you are an absolute genius!!
What a delicious apple crumble. As you highlighted not watery at all…the tbsp of flour really does the trick.
I really liked the slight twang that the lemon juice provided.
My hubby gave it a 10/10 need I say more.
Meg says
I love all your recipes however this was far too sweet for us! Next time i’d omit the sugar on the apples, or maybe halve it or in the mixture. I used some blueberries too.
Nagi says
Hi Meg, sorry you found it too sweet – it could be due to the variety of apples you were using 🙂 N x
Laura says
Tastes delicious and the recipe easy to follow.
Bec Wood says
Do NOT make this. It will be all you can think about every day, every time you go to the shops and see apple’s, you will have to stop yourself from buying more to make this again. You will outgrow your work pants and need to buy a size bigger to accommodate your ferocious hunger for this divine recipe. It will ruin your life. Please don’t make this.
(this is amazeballs and you HAVE to make it)
Yoko says
The best Apple Crumble ever!!! We had this with custard and it was yummy!
Louise says
I love this. I also just make the crumble topping for any fruit pie I make – i’ve made nectarine and peach pies with this same crumble.
So yummy & always my go to.
Eric Paulhus says
Loved this recipe. Worked so well. Would it work with blueberries? For a blueberry crumble?
Rochelle Curtis says
The best recipe ever!!! I had to leave a review. 2nd time making it and I have been thinking about this recipe since the first time I made it! Thank you for sharing I will never use another recipe again!!!
Shawn says
Delish! Super easy and this crumble has a great texture
Nagi says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shawn!! N x
Fadiah Avais says
Excellent
Fadiah Avais says
Apple crumble was excellent. I am happy I followed this recipe
Nagi says
Thanks so much!! N x