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!!!
Natalina Rothwell says
We loved this recipe, used red apples, raw sugar instead of white, and whole meal flour. Will definitely use the recipe again.
Nagi says
Thanks for those tips Natalina!! N x
Frunk says
Thank you for the recipe Nagi
I tried it today and I was pleasantly surprised, all my guests were in agreement
Nagi says
Woo hoo!! I’m glad you all enjoyed it Frunk! N x
Ketsia says
Could i make this in a dutch oven over a campfire? Would the recipe have to be adjusted?
EmmaP says
I love this idea, thank you!
Lindajc06 says
I make this with some added coconut & golden syrup just less sugar and it becomes ANZAC Apple Crumble
Nagi says
I did that once! You can cook it in a Dutch oven with coals on top of the lid…it just won’t be as browned as from the oven! N x
Phoebe says
Nagi, may I know do you bake in convection mode or just top and bottom heat? Mine was a little runny (should I be baking it longer?) but still delicious nonetheless!
Jenny says
Whole family and guest always love this recipe. It’s become a family favourite. It’s easy to make and best of all you can make ahead of time and then just pop it in the oven, entertain your guests and then when cooked , serve it with ice cream . However , something that I do different if we have unexpected guests at the last minute is to cheat and use quality tinned apples . This works well so I always keep a few tins of apples in the pantry in case they are needed at short notice . This one is a keeper for sure .
Nagi says
That’s a great tip for a last minute emergency dessert Jenny!! N x
Haylee says
Can you use tinned apples for this instead?
Nagi says
Yes Haylee I think that tinned apples would work ok here – you won’t need to cook them as long though! N x
Gephsy Del Real says
This is the perfect apple crisp recipe, it turned out so good!!! Thank you 🙂
Kathy Neal says
I have been using this delicious recipe for several years . Today is my granddaughter’s 11th birthday, and like you, she requested apple crumble for her birthday dessert!
Nagi says
Awwww!! Happy 11th birthday to your sweet granddaughter!! xx Nagi & Dozer!
Belinda says
Can this be prepped a day ahead?
Nagi says
I would bake it ahead then pop it in the oven to reheat and crisp up before serving it Belinda! N x
Steph says
Hi Nagi,
Could I please ask how long you would leave it in the oven to reheat (and what temperature? ) Thank you!! xx
Angela says
I made a peach crumble using this! Perfect! Hate rubbing butter into dry ingredients, so this was fantastic!
Nagi says
Woohoo!! Great job Angela! N x
Cynthia says
This is the best crumble I’ve made and it’s so easy to make.
Delicious.
Nagi says
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it Cynthia! N x
Shelly says
Made this for my housemates tonight, went down a treat! The crumble is sooo… crumbly! Haha yum!! Thanks heaps
Tara icke says
My husband best dessert I ever made.
Lucky says
Such a great apple crumble, tastes so delicious! Super easy to make too!
Nagi says
I am happy that you liked it Lucky! N x
Lucky says
Best apple crumble ever! And super easy :o)
Paul says
I made this last week when some family came over for lunch. They had never heard of apple crumble (a new idea for Hungarians, it seems) and were very impressed. A great recipe.
Nagi says
I am happy that you enjoyed it Paul! N x
Katerina says
Now my go-to recipe. Thank you so much! Probably one of the best out there.
Nagi says
I’m so glad you liked it Katerina!! N x
Loris Kairouz says
Incredibly delicious and easy to make too
Nagi says
I’m happy that you enjoyed it Loris! N x
Charmaine says
I followed this recipe to a T except for the sugar in the topping, which I halved. Was delicious (definitely sweet enough for my taste) and felt a bit healthy cus of the oats! Will def make again.
siya says
Such a delicious and easy recipe! It’s just perfect for the winter weather. Lovely with whipped cream and ice cream. We are college students so I love how quick and inexpensive this recipe is. Plus it’s healthy because of the apples 😉
Nagi says
I’m always telling myself that dessert is healthy if it has fruit – so glad that someone else agrees with me! N x
Elizabeth Moroney says
I have made this recipe numerous times it’s divine sometimes I add another fruit with the apples awesome
I have shared this recipe and website with friends and family thank you