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
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Keke says
This apple pie recipe is absolute delicious. I found it a bit too sweet, so will reduce the sugar a bit next time. All the same, loved it! So did my kids… thanks for the recipe.
Natalie says
This is outrageously good. The best crumble I’ve ever had. Thank you!
Nagi says
Woah what a compliment, thanks so much Natalie! ❤️
Christina says
Does this reheat okay? Just wanting to make it for my sister who has had surgery and was going to cook it and take it around to her so she can reheat in the oven tomorrow
Nagi says
Hi Christina – I have the make ahead instructions in the recipe notes. Otherwise, you can cook it and then reheat in the oven to get that crispy topping. N x
Tom says
This is the best apple crumble i’ve ever made or had. Thanks so much.
Nagi says
That’s the BEST! Thanks so much Tom!! N x
Trudi Matthews says
Best Apple Crumble, yummy!!!!This might be the once a week one,thanks for another winner Nagi🥰
Nagi says
Wahoo! I’m so glad you love it! N x
Remerta Basson says
I’ve made this with apples AND recently tried it with plums. Both a roaring success.
Nagi says
Oh that’s great to know Remerta, I must try! N x
Vera G says
Good on YOU Dozer, waste Not want Not…I Would ASK for Apple strudle for my B’ Day. I’ll try This recipt. Thank YOU so much.
Nagi says
Love to know what you think Vera! ❤️
Sherina says
So perfect!!!! Thank you! This recipe is spot on
Nagi says
Thanks so much Sherina! N x
Olivia says
I want to make this gluren free for a friend who is intolerant. Can I replace the flour with gluten-free plain flour that I got from Aldi? Just wondering if it will make much difference to the texture of the crumble.
Nagi says
I haven’t tried to be honest Olivia, would love to know how it works though! N x
Sara says
Hi Nagi, the recipe looks amazing. Can I add this as a filling in a pie crust? If so, how would you adjust the cooking time to make sure the crust is cooked?
Nagi says
Hi Sara, you sure could – depends on the type of pie crust you’re using here, but I would think 45-50 minutes will be fine. N x
Elizabeth Webb says
Yummm!!! Is there any chance you could give us the “make in a mug” recipe equivalent for a quick after dinner treat?
Nagi says
Never even heard of it Elizabeth, I’ll look into it! N x
Patrice says
Yum 😋 a mug crumble sounds delicious. I’d love a gluten-free version
Rachel says
Made this with just apricots – so good!
Nagi says
Yum! Great idea Rachel!
Greg Wormald says
my kids bought in some rhubarb for me to cook, could i add it to this recipe. i assume i would reduce the apples?
Nagi says
Hi Greg – you can definitely just add some chopped rhubarb in there and leave the rest of the recipe as is! Yum!!
Josie says
Hi Navi, thank you for sharing your recipe, my son has food allergies. He is anaphylactic to eggs nuts and a list that goes on. This is a desert he can eat . It’s a simple, yet flavourful. It’s hard finding recipes that my son can eat and like. Thanks a million. Josie
Nagi says
Oh I love hearing that Josie ❤️
Graham Todd says
can i substitute sugar for sweeteners in this recipe please
Nagi says
Hi Graham – the apple mix should work with sweetener but I’m not sure the crumble would go crunchy – would love to know if it works!!
Jess says
Wow! I just made this to surprise my husband (apple crumble is his favourite) and he is now passed out next to me in a blissful food coma. He LOVED it! Thank you for another amazing recipe and for making me look like a rockstar yet again!
Nagi says
😂 That’s the BEST Jess!! N x
Sue Whittaker says
Just made it for the family, they all loved it!!! Thank you for a great recipe.
Nagi says
Wahoo! That’s great to hear Sue – N x
Elissa says
Great recipe as long as I halved the sugar for the crumble and didn’t need any sugar for the apples.
Nagi says
Hi Elissa, you can definitely reduce the sugar, depending on the type of apple used it will affect the sweetness in the end result – N x
Kellie says
So good, another winning recipe from you Nagi! Cooked for the fam the other night, everyone said it was the best apple crumble they’ve ever had!
Nagi says
Wahoo, I’m so happy it was a hit Kellie!
Kellie says
Hi Nagi
Just wondering if the Apple mixture could be made ahead of time (uncooked) and frozen? I have a huge bag of apples from the tree to use!
ML says
First time I made it I doubled everything cuz we had guests (what was I thinking testing a recipe on guests??!!) but thankfully it was wonderful. Two sweet for our family tho. This time just made one batch with less sugar and it was perfect. I also just leave the skin on and still works well – saves work and I think there’s nutrition there. The video by the way is ingenious food porn with golden syrup bubbling away and a dollop of ice cream on top. Yum!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved it ML – and yes you can definitely adjust the sugar to taste 🙂