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
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Joanne says
I made the apple crumble & I would have to say that is the most delicious apple dessert I have ever eaten, I changed the ice cream to cream ❤️
Tina says
I love this recipe! Not overly sweet at all. Perfect, simple and delicious! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Tina! N x
Belinda Rava says
BEST CRUMBLE EVER MADE…
Everyone went back for seconds. I added rhubarb and macadamias. So yum x
Nagi says
I’ll have to try that – sounds fabulous! N x
Pauline says
I made this last night and it was a hit with my fussy eaters 7 and 5 year olds. Thank you. Your website is my go-to now for everything I want to cook/bake. Just google “RecipeTin xxx” and follow recipe! It has straightforward instructions and so far everything turns out great. Thank you once again.
xx
Nagi says
Oh that’s great to hear Pauline ❤️
Mariam says
Absolutely Devine! Best ever apple crumble.
Nagi says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Mariam! N x
Lynda says
I made your apple crumble tonight. We really enjoyed it! I’ll make it again, for sure. Just to say, I did 1 Tbls water and 1 Tbls lemon juice in the apple filling part, instead of 2 Tbls of either lemon or water. It worked out perfectly! Thanks for the recipe!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved it Lynda! N x
Yara says
Such a great and easy recipe!! I loved the taste especially after cooling down. I felt like it really didn’t need ice-cream, perfect as is! My mom felt like the sugar can be a bit less but I liked it a lot! Thank you!!
Nagi says
Hi Yara, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. You can definitely reduce the sugar if you prefer – it all depends on the sweetness in the apples you use. N x
Kate Pawlyszyn says
Can I substitute gluten free flour without changing the outcome? I’m
Nagi says
I haven’t tried to be honest Kate – would love to know how it works if you try it! N x
Becci says
Best crumble recipe I’ve tried.
Nagi says
Wahoo! What a compliment, thanks Becci! N x
Kristi says
Easy ingredients and Simple instructions, made this for Mothers Day dinner in less than an hour and served a la mode… it was a hit! I used red apples (all I had on hand) with the full sugar suggestion and didn’t think it was too sweet at all. Guests all raved! Thank you!
Sharon says
Very YUMMY and I am not a desert person. Hubby had custard on his Apple Crumble, I had plain greek yogurt. This is another keeper in the Recipe Tin Eats repertoire. x
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved it Sharon – thanks so much! N x
Nicole says
Best apple crumble ever. That’s it. I did not find it too sweet (followed the recipe exactly) and the crumble is a real highlight. Served with vanilla ice cream and custard. Thank you, Nagi!
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Nicola, that’s great to hear! N x
Lee says
Left this on my mother in law’s front porch this morning (social distancing). I hear it was a hit! Good times and bad I can always count on you Nagi xx
Nagi says
Wahoo, I’d love it if someone dropped food at my door (ESPECIALLY APPLE CRUMBLE!!!) N x
Lee says
I think food left at front doors might be the sixth love language x
Gin says
Hi Nagi – I’m making this crumble for Mother’s Day dessert. I have some leftover frozen raspberries that I’m thinking of adding – should I defrost them before adding, or add as frozen? Thanks heaps!
Nagi says
Hi Gin, you can add them frozen that will be perfectly fine 🙂 N x
Gin says
Thanks so much for your response! I made your Beef Brisket last night followed by your crumble (with a combination of apple & raspberry) & they were a big hit! Loving your recipes – so easy to follow & always delicious! 🙂
Libby says
Yummmm! So easy and so delicious! I adjusted the recipe and only added half the amount of sugar in the topping and it was perfect.
nicole says
So delicious!! I’m not a baker and have never made apple crumble before – but my friends were none the wiser! I prepared the apples + crumble before time and brought them over to a friend’s house in separate containers; assembled and baked once I was there.
This recipe was super easy to follow!
Nidafe says
Hi Nagi,
can i use all purpose flour? making this tonight.hope will turn okay.
Thanks.
Nida
Nagi says
Hi Nidafe, yes this recipe uses all purpose flour. Enjoy!! N x
Wendy says
Halved the amount of sugar for both the apple filling and topping, and it still came out perfect!
Thank you for this recipe Nagi!
*for those who like things less sweet, go ahead and halve the sugar it’ll still taste great 😀
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Wendy – different apples obviously are sweeter/less sweet than others so it’s all down to personal preference here 🙂 N x
Leah says
Hi there, your recipe mentions ground cinnamon and powder cinnamon, is there a difference between the two?
Nagi says
Hi Leah – same thing 🙂 N x
Vishanthee Padayachee says
I don’t have brown sugar can I use white?
Lindsey says
Sorry … forgot to do the 5* rating bit. Thanks again <3
Nagi says
Thanks Lindsey! N x