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!!!
Lindsey says
Easily the best crumble topping I’ve ever made! Perfect texture! … I do like a little ground cardamom in it too. I generally make fruit crumble only when I’ve got some foraged blackberries to go with the Granny Smiths. I’ll only use this crumble topping from now on! Thank you!!!!
Nagi says
That’s great Lindsey!! N x
Melissa Wilson says
This is a beautiful dish. The jam style apples and the crumble just amazing. Next time will be doing pear crumble.
Nagi says
YUM! Love this idea Melissa! N x
Rebeka says
Hi!! i’m just wondering do I store this in the fridge once it’s cold? And how long will it be good?
Tania Ciantar says
Hi instead of white flour can I use coconut flour?
Nagi says
Hi Tania, I haven’t tried to be honest, coconut flour produces a more crumbly texture (you may not get that crunchy crumble) N x
Dina Pleyto says
I made this yesterday & it was great! Simple yet delicious & satisfying!
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Dina! N x
Rose says
Another 10/10 Nagi, just what we needed on a cold wintery night, simply delicious. Thank you.
Nagi says
Thanks so much Rose! N x
Dana says
Hello! This recipe looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it. My family doesn’t really have much of a sweet tooth – how much sugar do you think I can cut down without affecting the texture and consistency etc in both the filling and crumble? Thank you 🙂
Nagi says
Hi Dana, I haven’t tried sorry! N x
Ellen Pollard says
Hi Nagi – when preparing this recipe ahead of time – does the apple base mixture need to be refrigerated?
Nagi says
No it doesn’t Ellen – N x
Myriam Taylor says
Another superb recipe! Although my kitchen did not have white sugar, brown sugar or lemon. So I found myself substituting with 20 packets of Splenda for white sugar, brown COCONUT sugar, and lime instead of lemon. Everything else stayed as called for. I must say it turned out superb and gone in 15 minutes!
Alison Quinton says
Could I had uncooked rhubarb with the apple? We love all your recipes x
Nagi says
Yes definitely Alison!!! Apple and rhubarb belong together! N x
Leslie Alldridge says
This beats any apple crumble I’ve had in my life. If people find it too sweet I recommend breaking up the brown sugar to avoid getting lumps of it. I didn’t do this, but will do so next time as I had a few islands of brown sugar.
Total newbie in the kitchen and never cooked before, but this turned out to be life changing and I’ll definitely make it again, many, many times!! Thank you so so much.
Nagi says
WOOT! Love hearing this Leslie ❤️
Jess says
Amazing once again! I’m a beginning cook and all your recipes I’ve tried so far have been incredible, and my partner agrees too! Thanks Nagi for the flavour packed recipes, you never seem to disappoint.
Nagi says
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Jess! N x
Felicia Fenner says
Oh wow Nagi! This apple crumble is perfect. I’ve made it twice in a week. Sometimes it’s the simplest, most basic recipes which are the hardest to perfect I think. There are many good recipes out there, but this one is perfect. Having mine with vanilla bean ice cream now as I’m writing.
Nagi says
Ice-cream is a MUST Felicia, thanks so much for letting me know ❤️
Laura says
I am dying to find this crumble! And I found it! Thank u for the recipe, it is a bit too sweet or I hope I measured them right, but otherwise it’s perrrrfect! Will do it again and going down on the sugar
Nagi says
Hi Laura, you can definitely reduce the sugar – it all depends on the apples used as some are sweeter and some more tart 🙂 N x
Shilpa Raina says
Fabulous!! I added a few drops of vanilla extract to the topping and to the apple filling. My husband said this tasted like something from a 5 star steakhouse
Nagi says
That’s the best compliment Shilpa, I’m so glad it was a hit! N x
Shenaede Niven says
I love all your recipes and this one was no exception!! I used canned apples for a time savvy option, used a little more flour in the filling and it turned out delicious 🙂
Nagi says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shenaede! N x
Shabnam says
Hi Nagi i made this today i halved the ingredients but for some reason it tasted a bit doughy? Any ideas why that could be? Also my topping didn’t turn brown, i left it in the oven for over an hour. The filling inside was nice though
Nagi says
Hi Shabnam, sorry you had issues here. Did you follow the recipe exactly – sounds like you didn’t have enough butter – N x
Shabnam says
Yes thats what i thought as well must be not enough butter thank you
Kerrie says
Just finished a helping of your Apple Crumble, it was delicious. . . I also made a side of your butterscotch sauce from your sticky date pudding recipe. . . Holy moly -perfection!! Thanks Nagi, excellent recipe as always xx
Nagi says
YUM!!! I love this idea, totally decadent! N x
Leanne Ross says
Fantastic perfect crumble thanks Nagi
Nagi says
Thanks so much Leanne ❤️ N x
Yovania Dechtiar says
What happens if you omit the baking powder? (By accident)
Nagi says
Hi Yovaina, the topping will just be extra crunchy and not as light 🙂 N x