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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Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Camille says
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!
Nisha says
Can we use white sugar instead of brown sugar
Nagi says
Hi Nisha, I prefer brown sugar in the topping to give that caramel flavour and nice texture. N x
Sue Coultas says
Delicious.
My grandson has requested this Apple Crumble instead of a birthday cake.
Nagi says
That’s awesome Sue! N x
IA says
How much butter is needed? It doesn’t say. Thanks!
Nagi says
Hi IA, it’s listed there in the ingredients under “topping” – N x
Elizabeth Mei says
It’s only listed under the “cups” measurements, metric just says unsalted butter. I found the right weight under cups but just FYI.
Anna says
Didn’t change a thing and worked out beautifully. Thanks Nagi 🙂
Dee says
Perfect. I made it with half the sugar in the apple later (green apples) and 2/3 cup of sugar in the topping, and it was the most delicious apple crumbs I’ve had. Oh, and I think the lemon juice was a lovely addition too. Amazing – thank you for the recipe!!
Michelle says
This was awesome And a hit with our guests. I made a couple of changes. I reduced the amount of sugar in the apple filling and used just 1/4 cup sugar and cooked it first with some foil covering it for 15-20 minutes. Then I added the topping and bake JC.
Nina says
Can I use regular Fiji apples instead of granny Smith green apples?
Nagi says
Hi Nina, yes you can! Enjoy! N x
Emily says
I followed the recipe perfectly, but unfortunately still ended up with a watery mess, undercooked apples and the crust almost overcooked 🙁 the taste was amazing though, and will absolutely attempt to remake it, just maybe for longer and put some foil on top until the end. I love all your recipes so this absolutely won’t turn me off!
Andrew says
Made this today and the best apple crumble I’ve ever had. So easy to make too. Thanks for the recipe.
Karen says
I loved that the recipe is not too sweet – it’s perfect! I’m not typically a baker, so the recipe was really easy to follow. My husband told me it reminded him of his mum’s apple crumble, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
jasmine says
this recipe was really amazing!! super easy to make, and not overly sweet. It is even delicious without ice cream. i did less sugar that asked for in the apple mix, and still turned out great!
Caroline N says
Made this last night and we couldn’t get enough, scraped out every last crumb – definitely saving this recipe! Substituted part of the sugar for stevia and turned out perfectly. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Lisa says
What amazing flavours for such little input. I was thrilled with this recipe. Super easy and full of nostalgic yummy flavours.
Joanna says
Hi
Love your sharings ! With Covid, a lot of ingredients are hard to find. Brown sugar is one such item that went out of stock in my country. Can I replace it with caster sugar?
Brendan says
I had never really cooked a dessert before, my dad had learnt to cook almost solely off this site so I used this site to make an apple crumble. Super easy to understand and absolutely delicious!!!
Bridget says
Hi Nagi, I love your website and have told so many people about it. My question about your apple crumble is – and so sorry if it’s already been asked an answered – can you tell me how to make this into a gluten free version? Thank you so much x
Veronicacy says
Perfect. Almost ate half of the apple crumble my topping came out a bit dryer than expected might add more butter next time. Overall it was a success
Donna says
Just perfect! I followed the recipe exactly and everyone loved this! It was a big hit! Thank you for another winning recipe Nagi. Yours is the only site I use when it’s my turn to cook as I always know everything turns out so darn tasty!
Savita says
I would like to make this for my hubby who loves apple crumble. In this lockdown, I only have red gala apples, will that work
Nagi says
Yes 100% Savita! N x
Savita says
I made the crumble today, was loved by the family. It took more than an hour for the crumble to brown even then it was not crunchy. Any idea what might have happened