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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Kate says
Hi Nagi. Thanks for the recipe. It worked out really well – like all of the recipes of yours I’ve tried!
It was a touch sweet for me and my family so will reduce the sugar next time. The crumble topping was the best i have made.
Nagi says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kate – yes you can just reduce the sugar if you find it slightly too sweet 🙂 N x
Hans says
I’m excited to cook this, but don’t have a 1.5L baking dish. Would this work in an 8×8 or a 9×13 pan? Should I change the ingredient volume at all? Thanks!
Lucy says
Sorry, cah the lemon be omitted?
Nagi says
Hi Lucy – you can sub with water as per the recipe 🙂 N x
Kirsten says
I made this tonight and it was amazing! I varied the instructions slightly by rubbing the soft (not melted) butter into the oat mixture and putting it straight on the apples and leaving it uncooked for about an hour because I wanted it ready to go into the oven after the main course came out of it. It was absolutely delish and cleaned up in minutes. We served it with custard instead of ice cream – still great. Thanks Nagi!
Nagi says
Sounds perfect Kirsten! N x
Carol C. says
Delicious crumble, i put it over apple i had already stewed and it was amazing, Thankyou.
Mrs Marian Kidd says
Well, I have just found the absolute best crumble recipe. This will be my go to thank you so much. Want to send a pic but cant work out how.
Heather says
I just made your apple crumble recipe. I could not find the amount of melted butter in the list of topping ingredients.
Nagi says
Hi Heather, it’s listed there under “Topping” second from the bottom (above salt) 🙂 N x
Lauren B says
Made this for my husband and I this afternoon. I halved the recipe because it was just us two, and we ate the whole thing in 15 minutes!! Very delicious!! I’ll be making this for our Easter potluck this weekend. 🙂
Nagi says
😂 LOVE this Lauren! N x
Amelia says
My mother in law used to make this dessert and I hated it. My hubby loves apple crumble and misses it very much and so I found your recipe and decided to try it. And I love your recipe! Taste soooo much nicer than my mother in law’s! Yours is a winner! I have changed my mind about this dessert and I will make this more often for my hubby. Even he said it’s the best he had ever eaten!
Nadia says
hey, love your recipes, isnt it apple crisp (because oats) and not crumble?
Nagi says
Hi Nadia, we know this as apple crumble here 🙂 N x
Josefinita says
I just made it! I wish I could share a pic! 🙂
How is the best way to save for later? Should I refrigerate it?
JeanMarie says
Great recipe!! What would have caused my apples to not stay more whole, instead they got mushy like apple sauce
Nagi says
Hi Jean, sorry you had issues here, can I ask what type of apples you used? N x
Kate says
This is my go too recipe. My father in law tells me it surpasses his moms apple crumble (she is a baking wizard!!) We love this recipe so much we have printed it out and put it in our family cookbook so that it can be passed around for generations to come. SOOO good!!!
Nagi says
Woah – that’s a fantastic compliment Kate!!! N x
Amina says
Is it better if I leave the filling in the fridge overnight before cooking? I know with most desserts letting it rest for a few hours before baking it makes it taste better
Nagi says
Hi Amina, I wouldn’t recommend this as the apple sweats and produces too much liquid. N x
Roger Smith says
My Apple mixture has a sweet liquid at the bottom. Should I pour it out before baking?
Nagi says
Hi Roger – that’s fine leave it in 🙂 N x
John says
Can I omit the cinnamon?
Nagi says
Sure can John! N x
Ruprekha says
I tried this recipe tonight and not sure where I went wrong. The apples were barely cooked after having the crumble cooking for about an hour.
Are the meant to remain crunchy? And it was somewhat watery, not jammy. Where did I go wrong? Tasted pretty good as was evident from the four empty bowls but I think I will cut down on the sugar in the topping next time ( I only put in half a cup)
Nagi says
Hi Ruprekha, sorry you had issues here, can I ask what type of apples you were using as I imagine this may be the issue – N x
Beth says
I don’t have enough butter. What should I do???
Ruprekha says
I used granny smith apples and followed the recipe pretty closely
Mary says
Can I replace the oats with something? Thanks
Nagi says
Hi Mary, Sorry I’ve only made crumble with oats as it’s the traditional way 🙂 N x
Mary says
Would walnuts or pecans work?
Michele says
Hi Nagi
Can I combine Apple and rhubarb in this recipe?
Nagi says
Sure can Michele! Enjoy! N x
Nicole says
Hi Nagi, how would you recommend combining the recipe with rhubarb? I bought a bunch of rhubarb but I’m not sure how to incorporate it! Thank you! PS love this recipe, made it the other night and it exceeded all expectations sooo tasty
Michele says
Nagi thank you😊
I made this tonight and it was soooo good!. The tartness of the rhubarb combined so well with the red apples and balanced out the sweetness beautifully.
Such an awesome recipe!!
Thanks again
Michele
Adam Arieef says
I have finally beaten my girlfriend in the apple crumble competition at home with the help of Nagi. This recipe is really easy and will please everyone despite having different taste buds. Thank you so much
Nagi says
You’ll be forever making it from now on! 😂