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!!!
Thank you for this very nice recipe. Will be my go to from now on!
I added a bit of corn starch to the filling to make it more gooey and more lemon juice cause i am a lover of all things tart. It turned out definitely gooey and delicious.
I was a bit scared of the sweetness so added less sugar to the topping: sweetness factor was just fine, i think you are correct in that the apples are the bigger factor in sweetness level.
Such an awesome apple crumble recipe. I’ve made it a few times now and it is delicious and foolproof. Thankyou!
My grandma was in the mood for an apple crumble, so I picked up your recipe, and we both agree it’s the best either of us has ever had! I made it with honeycrisps and salted butter, and it was absolutely perfect.
This is the recipe that introduced me to Nagi. Life in the kitchen has never been the same!
Absolutely the BEST apple crumble recipe that’s out there! The only thing I did differently is I added about twice the amount of cinnamon in both the apple and the crumble. This was the perfect dessert for a cold winter’s night. Thanks for ANOTHER awesome recipe, Nagi!
Great recipe, I enjoyed the rustic appearance and it was so tasty. I added sultanas to make it a bit different. My guests loved it so will definitely make it again.
I have made this before & it was delicious. This time I made it with pear & red apples as that is what I had. Followed the recipe but added lemon zest& a few chopped dates. Noticed when it was baking it was a bit dry. I was draining a can of pineapple pieces so I put the juice in with a little bit of water. It was delicious! Will definitely do the same next time.
I served this today as part of a pudding buffet for my birthday.
It was absolutely spot on for flavour texture and apple to crumble ratio. Lovely crumble.
The best!!! For storage how long will this keep in the fridge?
So easy and so delicious!! Another amazing recipe Nagi. I had some golden delicious apples to use up & added a couple of pink ladys as that’s what I had. It was very sweet so may reduce the sugar a little next time but it tasted so good!
Good recipe I love it. But I’m so slow why did prep time take me 40 minutes 😭 maybe because I barely cook lol. But whatev
Delicious! Agreed it was a little sweet so would reduce sugar next time but so divine! Thanks Nagi! Do you think it would be ok to freeze leftovers??
I’ve been looking for the perfect apple crumble recipe for years and now I’ve found it!
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?