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
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Kristen says
Love love love!!!! I added some extra lemon juice to the filling and some golden syrup to the crumble. Just Delish!!
Nagi says
Sounds divine Kristen!
Will says
Easy and beyond delicious! Thanks Nagi, this recipe is a triumph. 🙂
Will and Deb
Nagi says
Thanks so much Will!
Angi says
The apple crumble was amazing! I’ve made several recipes from your site (and your mom’s receipes too!), its so easy to follow!! I’ve always hated cooking but with two little ones I think home cooking is best. I think I found my stride with your help :))
Nagi says
Thanks so much Angi, that’s so great to hear ❤️
Betty says
I would like to add some fresh blueberries to this recipe. Would you adjust the amount of flour to the filling? Thanks
Nagi says
Hi Betty, I’d just sub some of the apple for blueberries here – N x
Binarti says
Hi Nagi, can I prepare this the night before then bake in the afternoon? My worries if the chopped fruits would become brown by the time I’m ready to bake. Thanks.
Nagi says
Hi Binarti, you can prepare all the elements, keep them separate & assemble before cooking. Just douse the apples with plenty of lemon juice to stop them browning – N x
Binarti says
It worked! Sooo yum. We had it with vanilla custard. Thanks for sharing the recipe xx
Helen says
Turned out great! Loved the consistency of the apples. I made it with 4lbs of apples, following the adjusted list of ingredients. Served it in a waffle bowl with ice cream on top. Thanks for a delicious, easy to follow, recipe!
Nagi says
Wahoo! Sounds like you nailed it Helen, I love the idea of the waffle bowl!
Ligia says
Hi Nagi,
Any recipes with peaches 🍑??? 😬
Nagi says
Yes, I’ll have to get onto that!
Stephanie says
Amazing! Made this last night and it did not disappoint. Used dark brown sugar instead of golden but it still turned out fantastic. My husband, who prefers pies over crumbles, has declared this recipe an exception!
Nagi says
Woah that’s such a great compliment Stephanie!
Avia says
Hi, what can I use instead of white flour? Is all purpose the same?
Nagi says
Hi Avia, yes white flour is all purpose flour – N x
Jennifer says
I’ve tried many apple crumb recipes but this is the best. What makes this stand out is that it’s not overly sweet. I didn’t have white flour so I used whole wheat flour and used 3 granny apples and 2 pears. Delicious!
Nagi says
Sounds like you nailed it Jennifer!
wendy says
this has got to be the best recipe ever I have tried a lot of recipes !!!!!
this now my got to recipe !!!!!
Nagi says
Woah that’s so great to hear Wendy!
Julie says
Thank you Nagi for this recipe. First time trying to make an apple crumble and it out great. My daughter couldn’t stop eating it.
Esmeralda Rocha says
Best apple crumble apple ever! I used jazz and pink lady apples and used brown sugar in the filling too (though only half a cup). Confess I also added a splash of sherry too
Nagi says
Sounds divine Esmerelda!
Kage says
I made this last night and it is absolutely out of the world! My family was asking for more after their first bite. So many apple crumble recipes have let me down but this is a keeper! THANK YOU
Nagi says
Woah that’s awesome, thanks Kage!
Suzanne Samiotis says
Easy to make and I prefer this recipe as I just melted the butter, and then poured the dry mix over the apples. Definitely preferable to rubbing unmelted butter in to the mix with my fingers.
Nagi says
Yes and it works the same way too! Such a game changer – N x
DeterminedDi says
Made it tonight and it was great. I used some apples that were getting old. I think they were galas I bought a few weeks ago. Thanks for a simple yet delicious recipe.
Nagi says
You’re so welcome!
Robert says
Do you have an apple pie recipe?
Nagi says
I had one in the making, will have to revisit Robert!
Carrie says
Made it with gala apple and frozen dark cherries. Used only quarter cup of sugar. Turned out excellent. Hubby devoured it!
Nagi says
Woah that sounds divine Carrie, I must try it!
Kylie says
Super easy and quick to make. I added 2 Tbsp of sugar to the apples instead of the half cup and unfortunately it was still too sweet for me. Next time I think I might cut down the sugar in the topping also. It was still delicious though, warm with some thickened cream. Perfect for a quick dessert on a cold evening!
Nagi says
Hi Kylie, sorry you found it too sweet, what kind of apples did you use? – N x
Kylie says
Hey Nagi. I used a mix of Gala and Granny Smith. So do you think next time ( there will definitely be a next time ) I should try it just with Granny’s?? I think it just might be my tastebuds. I usually halve the amount of sugar in most recipes. However my husband and daughter thought it was perfect and the left overs were finished off tonight for dessert with lashings of custard lol
Giselle says
Awesome recipe! I made this a few weeks ago and everyone loved it. Making it again today, and this recipe is definitely a keeper. Thanks!
Nagi says
I’m so happy you love it Giselle!