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!!!
Eden says
Hands down the BEST apple crumble I’ve ever made! My family swooned! This will be my ‘go to’ apple crumble recipe from now on – thank you!
Nagi says
That’s terrific to hear Eden! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this – N x
Iesha says
THIS is my favourite apple crumble recipe ever! Never fails to impress!
Just wondering if I could make it and freeze it in a dish before or after cooking? I am about to have a baby and would love to pre-make this Apple crumble for a nice treat when I’m too tired to cook.
Sophie Buzdugan says
YES YOU CAN!
Joanne says
This recipe is awesome.. I reduced some of the sugar n its beautiful still.. can’t wait to try it with berries.. yum yum
Nagi says
That’s great! So pleased you enjoyed this Joanne – N x
Orsi Lukacs says
I made it the other day, it turned out great! Thank you!
Einzel says
I made this beauty yesterday because I had a lot of small apples and two ripe pears that begged to be used, and the result was delicious! I have tried a few crumble recipes before, but this is without a doubt my favorite. Wonderfully crunchy, delightfully gooey, and the smell when it was baking really was divine! After I watched the video, I bought a tub of vanilla ice cream just for this (we are not used to topping our desserts with vanilla ice cream here, but it looked so good I just had to), and I was very glad I got some: they were perfect together! I will make this again and again! Thank you for sharing the recipe, and for always making such great videos – I am a very visual person, and the reassurance of a video guide is just immeasurable to me! Have a great day, Nagi!
Yasmine says
I swear you made me love cooking to a whole other level 😁😁😁😁
Diana says
Nagi, thanks for pointing me in this direction.. I love that it’s just one cooking step. I usually make Stephanie Alexander’s buttered apples for my crumble, but if I am being honest I don’t like the feeling of running butter into flour when making the topping… 😂 (that and I am feeling very lazy) So, this was the answer I have been looking for! Hope your weekend was sublime. Diana x
Nagi says
This ends up with the same crumbled effect because the topping is quite firm so it can be crumbled over the top, if that makes sense 🙂 N x
Diana says
**rubbing 🤫
Amy Williams says
I used your wonderful crumble topping on pineapple and strawberry, oof, what a combination! And they’re so cheap right now in Queensland too ^.^ I was thinking about attempting strawberry and pineapple muffins today, do you think this crumble topping would be okay to press into the muffins during baking? I’ve gained about 3 kg since discovering you Nagi! xxx
Nagi says
You read my mind! I was thinking of doing a strawberry crumble! This crumble topping is fabulous to pop onto muffins. Just pile it onto the batter! PS You don’t want to know how much weight I’ve gained since I started this blog #terrifying
Ev says
Simply delicious! Love that the green apples were soft but still had texture… The crumble was yum! It was perfect with vanilla ice cream. It was a crowd pleaser!!!! 😊
Kristine Lynch says
Hi Nagi & Dozer, I made this last week but I used Tinned apples but your crumble is absolutely delicious and making it again today , I usually try to avoid all that sugar but hey it’s not as if I have it everyday and this is for my sister as she is coming over for lunch today and will give her more to take home. 😜🐶 Cheers
Nagi says
I love hearing that! So glad you enjoyed this Kristine! N x
Venus says
YUM!!! Made this for the first time last Sunday and my picky eater son gave me a 10/10 score 😄 Now I’m making it again per his request! Thanks a lot for the recipe.
Nagi says
Glad you enjoyed it Venus! Thanks for letting me know! N x
Rachel says
Oh WOW! If I hadn’t tasted this I would not have believed that an apple crumble could reach this level of perfection. That sweet, jammy sauce around the apples is pure heaven, and I’ve never had such a divine crumble topping in all my life. I made this in individual ramekins for a party of 8 last night and had rave reviews. Huge thanks for this recipe!
Nagi says
Love hearing that Rachel! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
Kitrina says
Hi Nagi
If I was using those small/ one serve Ramekins, how long will the baking time be? I was thinking to use the ramekins so I only bake when needed.
Thanks
Kathy says
Hi,
This is just delicious!
Sophie says
Thanks a lot for the perfect apple crumble recipe! Made it for iftar and The whole family lovvvvvved it! Thanks Nagi! Gonna dig more for other scrumptious yummylicious recipe!
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Sophie! So pleased you enjoyed this! N xx
Michelle says
I made this for a big group lunch today. Doubled it and prepared yesterday up to the step of crumbling the topping on the apple mix (as you suggested in your comments). Covered the apple in the tray and in a separate bowl, covered the topping mixture. Kept in fridge overnight. Sprinkled the topping over the apple about an hour before serving today and baked in oven for about 50 minutes. Baked longer as there was more mixture. Served with icecream and also had custard as another option. Both went really well with the crumble! This is another winning recipe of yours! Loved the simplicity of it but a classic dessert. I’ve finally found the perfect apple crumble recipe…..that crunchy topping is the best!! Thanks again Nagi. xxx
Nagi says
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this Michelle!!! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂 N x
Nagi says
Oooh! YES! Just replace some of the oats! N xx
Rachel Keyte says
I loooove a good crumble, so can’t wait to try this. Am going to try a gluten free version of the topping… fingers crossed…
Nicole says
Hi Rachel, I’d love to know how your gf version turned out! What did you use instead of oats?
Rachel Keyte says
To be honest, I never ended up trying! I went with a different gluten free dessert lol
Nagi says
Love to know how it comes out! N x
Jacqui Boyce says
I was searching for an apple crisp dessert, but hate when they turn out watery or gummy. I liked your article, and gave it a shot. It was the highlight of our Christmas Eve Dinner. Thank you for posting!
Sam says
Wanting to try this tomorrow! Could i make a big batch and freeze?
Nagi says
Hi Sam! If you want to freeze, I’d actually cook it, cool then freeze 🙂