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!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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?
Me too! See?
Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
Sanyu says
Such a good and easy recipe! Made it last night when I had a friend over for dinner and she loved it!
Kat says
I love this recipe! I also make it in the camp oven when we’re camping as it’s so simple! Just have to make sure we don’t put too many coals on the base to burn the bottom. So delicious, thanks Nagi!!
Terumi K says
Thank you so much for this recipe!! I do agree that it is quite sweet! I should have known considering I used red apples! Love your recipe, simple and delicious!
Kathy Patrick says
Hi Nagi, my gorgeous 10 year old grandson made this as a dessert for my birthday. We absolutely loved it. He add flaked almonds to the crumb as he knows I like almonds.
Cyn says
We are fortunate to have a few apple trees (inc granny smiths) though I chose our last lady gala’s hanging on the tree for this recipe. Followed it to the letter … with the ADDITION of a teaspoon of dried chilli flakes and 1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger. Because we grow hazelnuts, added chopped nuts to the crumble topping. You’re spot on re the need for the flour to make a better, less watery apple mixture. Husband declares it PERFECT! Thanks, Nagi!
SEW says
Made this for first time a few weeks ago for a family dinner. Stuck to recipe and it was delicious . My son in laws birthday and he requested this as his birthday cake. Now known as birthday crumble! It’s a theme!
Lisa says
Nice but way to sweet to much sugar will definitely put less in next time
Tracy says
This apple crumble recipe worked out perfectly. Everything I make from tin eats works out well. Second time ar0und and I am making it with a little less sugar. I’ll see how it goes tonight.
Daisy says
Delicious and super easy to make! I will reduce the sugar next time as it’s very sweet.
Kath R says
Such a delicious crumble recipe!! I have never previously put sugar in my apples but when I saw ‘jammy’ I had to try it. I used coconut sugar in both apples and crumble. The jammy texture of the apples was so yummy! I also put less butter and sugar in crumble and subbed with a bit of maple syrup. It probably wasn’t as nice as if I’d used right amount of butter but I wanted to make it a bit healthier.
Kelly says
My favourite crumble recipe!
LaBelle says
I haven’t made it yet but will substitute ground cloves for cinnamon, and will also use demerara sugar in the crumble – will let you know how it goes
Natasha says
I have followed so many of your recipes…and they’re amazing. I have made this a couple of times and this recipe is awesome. I would like to make again with apple/rhubarb combination, do you have any suggestions?
Samantha Young says
OMG! LOVE this recipe! So easy and SO Delicious! Thank you for such an awesome recipe.
Katrina says
Awesome Apple Crumble…..perfect winter dessert for a crowd . So easy to make. Nagi’s step by step guide makes it a never fail recipe. Will be my new “go to” crumble. Absolutely dellicious!
BB says
Very easy to follow and turned out great. I love crumble topping with oats! I used Nuttelex instead of butter to make it dairy free.
Sharon says
Simple to make and delicious! Definitely will make this again. Loved the oats and the lemon juice
Shalini Akhil says
By far and away the best crumble recipe ever! We had an all-Nagi dinner last night with butter chicken followed by this crumble and it was comfort defined. Thank you for sharing your recipes 🙂
Christiana says
We tried this recipe and loved it ! Added about 1/3 cup of crushed walnuts and a pinch of nutmeg. Used one whole
Lemon insted of water and it brought down the sweetness – used half golden yellow sugar half white. I did not peel my apples (no waste in this family !) We often buy reduced produce at our local Walmart for baking, this recipe is very versatile and mom of 4 approved ! A mix of up
To four types of apples has been used and it always turns out fantastic.
Nagi says
I bet the four apple mix is delicious!! N x
Kirsty says
Would raw sugar work in both steps rather than white and brown? What’s the difference with using white and brown specifically?
Nagi says
Crumble is a very forgiving recipe so you could definitely use raw sugar if you like. It will just give the crumble a slightly different texture! N x