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?
Me too! See?
Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Christina says
I followed the recipe exactly and the topping stayed really wet! It was like really wet sand that didn’t make clumps…what happened?!
Nagi says
Hi Christina, sorry you had issues here – sounds like it almost wasn’t baked long enough? N x
Ash says
Hey! I want to make this ahead of time. We’re having our thanksgiving on Friday this year and was wondering if I could bake this and then refrigerate it once it’s done and cooled off? I’m assuming I could if I were to warm it in the oven just before serving
Nagi says
Hi Tamz, I have make ahead directions in the recipe notes – Enjoy! N x
Maya says
My family loved it but I will cut on the sugar next time. Thanks, great recipe 🙂
Ishani says
This is an amazing recipe, and so easy! I was wondering if rolled oats can be replaced by steel cut oats? Will the baking time differ?
Nagi says
Hi Ishani – you can, the baking time will differ though – something I’d need to test. I’d love to know if you try it! N x
Rafaelle Bouchard says
This is absolutely THE BEST apple crumble ever.
I don’t know if I just suck at making apple crumble but everytime they just end up really dry and just gross.
But this one got me soooo many points with my inlaws. My father inlaw now thinks I’m the best baker ever lol. Thank you for this. 100000% recommend.
Btw I used McIntosh and Lobo apples which worked great as well!!
Nagi says
That’s wonderful to hear Rafaelle!! N x
Bernadette says
Hi Nagi! I am so excited to make this – but was wondering if 180ºc in the oven is fan forced or conventional? Thank you xx
Nagi says
Hi Bernadette, that’s 180 for all oven types, where it matters I’ll usually state the two different temps required. N x
Elise says
I’ve decided I’d like this tonight but I don’t have any fresh apples, only tinned pie apples. Will this work just as well and do I need to make any adjustments to the topping?
Frank says
I just made this – fresh out of the oven. Very tasty & very easy. Thank You Nagi
Marie Overgaauw says
Hi Nagi, my family and I love your recipes. This is a favorite, so much so that our daughter choose this to make with me for her 18th birthday today. No cake required. I like that you include Dozer. We have 2 border collies. They like to hang out with us in the kitchen. Or anywhere we go. Just wondering if oven temperature is for fan forced?
Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipes!!!
Regards Marie.
Z says
Amazing
MaryLynn Birney says
Great reviews from all my guests! Smell is divine!
Kathy says
I have seen other recipes use 1-2 Tbsp of flour or cornstarch to the apples. Does one work better than the other?
Nagi says
Hi Kathy, it’s just a different recipe – I personally don’t like my apples gluggy so stick to a lesser amount. N x
Corinne Boin says
So good!! I added a little extra for the topping (biscoff biscuits, graham biscuits and oats) all blended into pieces. Will reduce the sugar next round. Thank you.
Kathy says
I love your recipes! I have a couple questions.
1. Why is the baking powder needed?
2. How does the crumble turn out with melted butter versus not melted and working it in?
Nagi says
Hi Kathy, baking powder just makes the crumble crispier and lighter in my opinion! I like to melt the butter rather than rubbing it through the crumb because it’s easier and achieves the same result! N x
Kathy says
Thank you!
Malletts says
Did your apple crumble and it was fabulous, I had it with ice cream and my wife had it with plain yogurt.
Mmmmmmmmm!~!!!!
Thanks
N says
Thank you for this!
Dana S says
Good recipe and good portion sizes!
Peter F says
Really good but a little too sweet. Less sugar next I guess. Thanks, it was delicious!
Mary Johnson says
the recipe was delicious, Even without brown sugar because I ran out. And today I’m making it with brown sugar. You make great recipes
Amy J Leising says
My first crumble, great flavor, but still watery. Any suggestions for how to get a thicker filling?
Queen MEA says
Try more flour!