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:
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JJ says
Yet another awesome recipe by Nagi! Had some overripe banana sitting at the counter but didn’t want to make banana bread again. Went through your website (my #1 go-to website whenever I need inspiration) and decided to try this recipe but with banana instead of apple. It turned out great! I like the fact that the crumble is super easy to whip up. Didn’t prep my banana much. Basically just sliced them up and sprinkled some cinnamon over it. Followed the crumble recipe exactly except for the sugar (I cut down the sugar by half as banana is sweet itself). Super good!
Lorraine says
Can this be prepared and then frozen to be baked later?
Nagi says
I haven’t tried to be honest Lorraine, would love to know if you give it a go!! N x
Jane says
What a beautiful apple crumble.. Best ever x
Thank you
Nagi says
That’s fantastic to hear Jane, thanks so much! N x
Vera Cheffers says
This is my favourite apple crumble recipe! I make it time and time again for my extended family and they love it, as do I 🙂 Thank you, Nagi
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Vera, I’m so glad you love it! N x
Mel says
The rest of the world doesn’t use imperial cups – we use metric cups. Americans are the imperial users. Metric tablespoon is 20ml not 15ml too.
Nagi says
Hi Mel, I cater for everyone. Click the metric toggle and you’ll get all the ingredients in grams/mls which is standard no matter where you are. N x
Jill says
Delicious, as are all your recipes. Thanks
Antonella says
My topping didn’t come crumbly 🙁 Maybe cause i used normal sugar instead of brown?
Marea says
Nagi, I would like to make this for vegan grandchildren and lactose intolerant son in law. Would it be ok to substitute the butter with oil?
Gayle says
I usually use Nuttelex (dairy free margarine). Maybe slightly less than the butter amount. I have used oil but it might not be quite as good – but you could try 1/3 cup of oil.
Marea says
Thank you Gayle. I will try the Nuttelex.
Awais says
My family enjoyed the crumble. It helped that I reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup. The Granny Smith apples held their shape but perhaps I need to cut them smaller next time.
Maria says
Tasty recipe. I used half the sugar for both topping and filling and it was much too sweet for me. Next time I will try ⅓ the amount. I also added vanilla and cardamon to the filling. Yum!
Heather says
I haven’t made this yet, but can I use salted butter? I don’t have any unsalted butter 🙁
Julie says
I never use unsalted butter just don’t add the pinch of salt 🙂
Saira Tariq says
The recipe is beyond delicious! I make crumble often but it has never been this big a hit as this!! Just perfect
Tina Thomas says
Delicious! I never post reviews for recipes but I love everything I’ve made including this dish from Recipetin eats. I’ve never had luck with crumbles but the young here worked perfectly.
Jen says
I had an over abundance of apples at home and a slight want to eat my emotions, so I made this last night. DELICIOUS! My partner thought so as well, I’m pretty sure he used to word “Fantastic” 3 times while he ate it. We didn’t have ice cream, but it was great as is. Thanks for posting!
Tina Kinnersly says
My kids love this recipe so much, especially the topping. I now always make topping a third more than the recipe… Just wondering if the normal flour can be replaced by rice flour or any other type of gluten free flour so to accommodate others’ dietary requirement.
Thanks!
WLo says
I’m sorry for a silly question but what’s the difference between ground cinnamon in the apple filling and cinnamon powder in the topping section?
Nagi says
Same thing here WLo! N x
Mandy says
Made this tonight & it was sooo good !
Victoria Bowles says
The best apple crumble ive made. Our family loved it.
ellen pollard says
I have made this for a few family dinners now, always a hit!
Sheena says
Delicious apple crumble !!
Thanks for the recipe.