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!!!
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.
I have made this as is, several times & it is really good. However, I actually tried this with half rhubarb & half apples. I am a rhubarb hater, but my husband loves rhubarb & called it restaurant worthy.
Use a large low profile dish rather than a deep one.
You’ll want the apples to cook but the top to not burn.
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
I added raisins to the apple mix and forgot to put in the sugar! Turned out perfectly delish, hope yours did too 🙂
Her recipes are always good. Making her naan bread next
Her recipes are always good.
I adjust the topping mix as the result ends up a bit cakey rather than crumbly for me. More oats, less flour etc. But as usual a brilliant helpful recipe.
This is now my go to apple crumble. A hit with the whole family from young to old.
Here are the stars!
This turned out delicious on a wintery evening at friends. I did the prep at home and baked it there. I added a small punnet of blackberries and it was perfect with ice cream. Thank you Nagi.
hi guys!
I love this recipe and definitely agree with Nagi about liking my apples a little harder . I think it’s a great idea to put the apples in raw and it is so much easier and tastes so much better with a variety of textures- soft, crunchy, so much more!!! It’s a great recipe and i love it so much !!!!! The crumble topping part is very nice and even though a bit sweet i still could simply just eat it alone !!!! It is an amazing warming winter desert and certainly goes well with some cool vanilla ice cream. I really enjoyed this recipe and hope everyone who makes it too loves it !!!!!!!!! Thanks so much Nagi !!!!!! And thanks to dozer … what a cutie eating the apple skin! My dog adores apples too!!!!! Also i was thinking of substituting the apples with pears (as i have a lot of pears at the moment and don’t really want to eat them )which you mentioned in the notes could be done so i hope it tasted just as great and can continue to be a family favourite for all and a real crowd pleaser!!!!!! Thank you once again!!!!!
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.
A super easy recipe to follow. For someone like me who practically never bakes, this was a surprise hit! Thank you, Nagi.
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
My mum always made her crumble topping with brown sugar, desiccated coconut, melted butter and cornflakes when we were growing up. It’s delicious, and would definitely work as a sub here.
I like coconut in apple crumble and think this recipe is missing it.
It worked and tasted good
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!