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:
Originally posted April 2016, updated with new commentary, recipe video and fresh new photos. No change to recipe!Nutrition Information:
Love apple desserts?
Me too! See?
Life of Dozer
This is why I don’t need a compost!!!
DEEEELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have to agree the best Apple crumble. Added a handful of mixed dry fruit and it was delicious
Easy, amazing flavour. No idea why I’ve never made it before. Served with homemade custard for Easter Sunday lunch for 10. Huge hit.
Does anyone try adding raisins to this recipe? If yes, do we need to cut down the sugar as raisins are quite sweet.
Planning to make this for gathering. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
I did add a handful of mixed dry fruit and always cut back on sugar
This was a glowed favorite at dinner! Very yummy, not too sweet!
OMG super delicious. I used 1/2 the sugar (i used coconut sugar) in the crumble and it was still quite sweet. Excellent recipe. It almost tastes caramelized.
Nagi, can the apple filling be made up and then frozen. If so should it be cooked first?
I LOVE this recipe and I did adjust the sugar content due to being on calorie deficit and low FODMAP and it was still just as amazing and dare I say even better as I don’t like really sweet desserts. I also used pink lady apples as that’s what I had which definitely made it more sweet. Nagi you never miss! Your recipes are GOLD! Thank you!
Hi Nagi
I realised I don’t have any rolled oats, what can I replace it with?
Was thinking cornflakes, can this work? Thanks
This was excellent, it was easy to throw together and got lots of compliments! I reduced the sugar slightly in the crust as recommended with red apples because that’s what I had. Will definitely make again!
Love this recipe. I make a few changes : Gala apples instead and I add real maple syrup to the mixture , substitute butter for olive oil low fat margarine, , switch out sugar for stevia, whole wheat flour instead of regular, and granola added on top.
It’s way healthier than this recipe and tastes amazing. Always a huge hit at events! I’d highly recommend.
Original is slightly too sweet for me, but when adjusted absolutely yummy!
I realized I didn’t have oats half way through and used 3 instant oatmeal packets (apple brown sugar) and skipped the sugar in the topping. Actually still turned out really well!
I also used salted butter and thought the salty flavor was nice
Truly the best crumble recipe I have ever come across. I normally make it for guests and never eat it myself but the smell of this crumble was irresistible and it did not disappoint..amazing!!
Sooooo good!!! This turned out amazing! Will be making this again. Absolutely delicious. Easy to follow. I used tinned apple pie filling that I weighed out as didn’t have enough apples and it had a good flavour. The crumble was so good. We didn’t have any ice cream and it was so enjoyable on its own! Thank you for the recipe Nagi, you are always my “go to”!
Just made this and it is yummy! I’m not a big sweets person but apple crisp is one of the few I like. I used only brown sugar, and only 1/2 cup in the topping per notes with Granny Smith apples so that it wouldn’t be too sweet. I didn’t know what a pinch of salt is so I used 1/4 tsp salt and that worked well.
I do prefer my apples to be more melted instead of crunchy though, I think maybe cooking at a lower temperature for longer would be my next test, but the topping was perfectly crunchy. That’s really the only thing I think can be improved. Thanks for the recipe!
I made with peaches because I have peach trees. Love this recipe. Crumbles are my favorite topping? Can’t wait to get my preordered Dinner book!
Hey Sandy, did you do like-for-like with the peaches? I’m thinking of doing the same with my glut. Cheers!
You definitely perfected the Apple Crumble recipe!! It is perfectly gooey, not too sweet (especially with tart apples) & the crumble gets crisp, not soggy! Delicious!! Im signing up for your emails for more recipes!! Thank you!
Amazing apple crumble. Perfect recipes as always.
Delicious. This will be my go to recipe from now on. Try it, you will not be disappointed.